Hornsby family in Durham area

[katehornsby]

I have just started researching into the Hornsby family and its roots in Durham. I have no experience of family tree searching and would be grateful for any help about the best way to start.
My father George Hornsby (now deceased) was born in Old Shotton, has one brother John (emigrated to Australia) , and his father was a miner (also George Hornsby) who died in a miners accident. I would like to trace the family tree back as far as possible. I have been told that our family came from Vikings who invaded the NE England and our name  comes from the "son of Horn".
Any tips or guidance would be gratefully received.

[JayG]

Hi Kate

Welcome to Rootschat.

Might be a good idea to have a read of some of the posts on the beginners board & find your feet.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/board,47.0.html


Good hunting.

Jay

[mikayla]

Hi Kate,
 I've been researching for many years and had great difficulty with my gt gt grandfathers wife,on census records it only gives the christian name of the wife,obviously as she is now married,was fortunate just recently to come across some new records and my gt gt grandfather married a Isabella Hornsby in 1847 in the Easington district,Monk Hesleden,my gt gt grandfather was Matthew Stelling,they eventually settled in Willington nr Crook.
     Isabella's father was a George Hornsby and Mother was named Jane possibly Blair,Isabella was born 5th october 1828,in the i.g.i info is given that says a George Hornsby married Jane Blair on 3rd April 1809 at Houghton-le-spring.
         There ia also a birth for George Hornsby on 7th december 1788 Father Richard.
                  As I was researching Hornsby I found very few in County Durham for that period of time so perhaps this may be of some help,let me know if I can help out in any way,
      Regards Mikayla

[madpants]

Your George appears to be in the In Memoriam section of the Durham Mining Museum site along with a few others that may be related.

http://www.dmm.org.uk/names/index.htm

[mikayla]

Thankyou so much for that,been on that site before and for some strange reason could'nt find him,
    Mikayla

[Evie]

Hi

I too have Hornsbys in my family although they originated from the Northumberland area some did settle in Durham in later years.

I have read your post and that of Mikayla and cannot see a connection to mine, however I'm not saying there isn't one but am very happy to help you with your search. Just to give me an idea what year was your father born? If you would not rather say on the thread when you have another post or two posts (never know which) you can click on my green scroll and send me a private message until we get further back.

Evie

[madpants]

Hi Evie...I knew you'd appear when Hornsby was mentioned    bit like me and turnbull 

[Evie]

Hi Evie...I knew you'd appear when Hornsby was mentioned    bit like me and turnbull 

Just like a bad penny

[katehornsby]

I am so pleased to get so many responses. I am now trying to get the original birth certificates of my father and mother to be able to put some firm foundation on the facts. I do have a marriage certificate of both of them when they were married in London.  I had a Great Auntie Anne and a Great  Auntie Isabelle (and she may be related to the Isabelle in one of the notes I got)  from Houghten Le Spring I believe but I have asked my brothers to send me the documents I need. I know that my Grand father George Hornsby died in the mines in an accident, because my father wante dot go to university, and that cost money, and his mother never let him forget it,  and believe that the link to the Mining History records refer to him - my Grandfather. I will also try to get more information about this from my brother, Peter. I just wish I had listened as a child to all the stories and history at that time but you know what children are like?