John Laws and the Two Anns

[JonnyL]

If anyone I can throw any light on this one, I'll be very grateful.

John Laws, born 21 Apr 1793 in Sunderland. Married Ann Todd (b. 1789, Houghton le Spring) in 1811.

Two sons, Robert (1812) and George (1814).

John and Ann appear in the 1841 Census in Sunderland - he is a shoemaker...

But, another line of investigation I am working on sees John marrying Ann Gourley (b. 1796, Sunderland) in 1816. This wouldn't be obvious in the 1841 records...

They had another son - again called George (!) in 1816 - which is where it gets suspicious...

All ideas, clues (facts even) welcome - will prevent premature baldness, too.

Thank you,

Jonny

[Colin Cruddace]

Hi Jonny,

A tricky one, but it is quite common for a child to be given the same name as one who had died in infancy, so two Georges are possible.

You say John was a shoemaker in the 1841, and as far as I am aware, he would have had to complete an apprenticeship. A Trades Apprentice was prohibited from marrying so I would be wary of the first marriage being for your John. Does it give his marital status in the 1816 marriage? And do baptisms give an indication of his profession?

Hope this helps,
Colin

[diddymiller]

hi Jonny, the second marriage to Ann Gouley is on DRO and has John as John Mills Laws:

13 May 1816 John Mills Laws, of this parish married Ann Gourley, of this parish

did the baptism you found for 1793 have this second name??

Diddy

[WolfieSmith]

There is a marriage in Sunderland, 7 Feb 1793, of John Laws and Lydia Mills.
Then a birth/baptism in Sunderland, John son of John and Lydia Laws, born 9 Nov 1793, baptised 16 Feb 1794.
This is highly likely to be the John Mills Laws in Diddys post marrying Ann Gourlay in 1816.

I can't see another John Laws baptism in Sunderland around this time. There is a baptism of a John Laws in Newcastle All Saints on the stated date of 21 April 1793. Is this the baptism referred to? If so he's the son of George Laws, Pitman, and wife Jane.

John Laws and Ann Todd have at least 4 children baptised in Sunderland. Robert and George as stated, also William Laws, b. April 12, baptised June 11 1815, and Ann Laws, b. Oct 18, baptised Dec 24 1820.
This overlaps the marriage of the other John Laws and Ann Gourlay so we are looking at two different Johns and Anns. I've checked the last two baptisms of John Laws and Ann Todd on the Bishops Transcripts and John is down as a Coachman.

Jonny, who is your ancestor that we are looking for? Is it one of John Laws and Ann Todds children, or is it someone connected to the John/Ann from 1841? John and Ann in 1841 have a Lydia and Jane Sidgwick, 24 and 18mo living with them, perhaps their daughter and granddaughter?

Alan.

[JonnyL]

Wolfie,

Apologies for the long pause.

I'm pretty certain my ancestor is one of John Laws and Ann Todd's children - and not John and Ann in 1841, which was a very interesting red herring!

Jonny

[Neil Todd]

Hi JonnyL,

Christenings at Houghton Le Spring
5th October 1789. Ann Daughter of Robt and Mary Todd of Hetton.

Neil Todd