Robson-Hexham

[KellG]

I wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction?
I've been able to trace my Great-Great-Grandfather Walter Robson to Hexham.

I know he was married on 4th December 1831, he was born around 1813 & is listed in the census returns as being born in St.John Lee, Anick & Hexham!

Is anyone aware of any Baptism records for these areas for the 1813 period?

Thanks,
Dave.

[c-side]

Hi Dave,

He's not on family search and the Bishops transcripts for the two parishes concerned do not go back far enough.  They're also not yet covered on freereg!

There's a few people on here with microfiche of certain parishes - if they don't come up with the answer then I can check for you at the archives.

Christine

[2zpool]

I looked at St. John Lee 1811-1815 but no Walter Robson there.

Janis

[KellG]

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.

I've just been looking at the census again.
In 1841 he's listed as birth year 1816, born Northumberland.
In 1851, birth year is 1813, born St.John Lee.
In 1861, birth year is 1813, born Hexham.

He was married to Margaret Forster on 4th December 1831, the only reference I can find to a Margaret Forster in the Hexham area for the period is a baptism record for 7th April 1816. As they are both listed in all the census records as being the same age, I'm wondering if the 1841 version of an 1816 birth year could be the correct one.

[2zpool]

I looked for a few years aroung 1811-1813, no Walter baptisms in Hexham.  Janis

[c-side]

I had a feeling that you had these records, Janis.  No need for me to do it tomorrow 

Dave, the 1841 census rounded all adult ages down to the nearest 5 so that is the least likely to be correct.  That said people didn't always know exactly how old they were and, even if they did, often lied about it!

Perhaps you need to cast around neighbouring parishes.

Christine

[2zpool]

I only have C of E record, there may be Methodist churches in the area or other denominations.  Robson is a difficult name to search but Walter is different enough.  I have some other church records in the area I will have a look.

Janis

[Michael Dixon]

 Ha- Me being a "Non-Corformist", I just about to say " What about the records of religions other than Anglican. Janis beat me to it.

But I can praise Walter for been so consistant with his accurate info-giving to enumerators.

In the three cenuses 51 61 71 his age is recorded as 36 46 58. And I will assume that he told 41 enumerator that he was 28 yrs of age, and enumerator correctly followed set instructions and rounded 28 down to nearest divisor of 5, i.e. 25.

"Where Born"
41 Northumberland /
51 St John Lee
61 Hexham........   now the parishes of Hexham and St John Lee are neighbours.

71 enumerator records "Alnwick" for Walter's "Where Born". But Alnwick parish is about ten parishes away from the pair of Hexham and St John Lee.

I think Walter said or wrote ANICK for enumerator and enumerator recorded Alnwick. (pronounced as " anik" )

ANICK was/is a small community within the Parish of St John Lee, close to it's boundary with Hexham Parish.

Michael

[KellG]

Thanks for all the help, I'm really grateful.

I know Robson has to be one of the most common names in Northumberland but I thought finding Walter would have been easier.

Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to contend with spelling errors apart from Anick & Alnwick.
In the 1841 census he's down as "WATER" ROBSON & for his daughter Mary Jane's baptism in 1854 he's listed as "WALKER" ROBSON.