Which Robert Lawson ?

[Martin17]

I have the marriage certificate of William Lawson marrying Elizabeth Mooney nee Nugent, a widow on 17th July 1893 at Gateshead. William is recorded as being 22 years old and a Quarryman. His father is recorded as being Robert and employed as a sackmaker. William is residing at 37 Argyll Street, Gateshead.

On the 1901, it has William recorded as what appears to be 48 years old, born in Alnwick, not sure why he is now 48, married to Emily. Not sure why Elizabeth is now Emily, but it is the right family as I have checked with the children on the 1891 and 1911 where Emily goes back to being Elizabeth, and those children that can tie in do tie in, also on the 1901 James Nugent is residing with the family and recorded as father in law, which ties in with the marriage certificate. On the 1901 all the children are recorded as being born at Gateshead.

My dilema with William is, is he the son of Robert and Margaret, born at Shotton Colliery, Durham where his ages seems to fit his marriage certificate which is 1871, or is it with Robert and Elizabeth born at Alnwick, where William's birth is recorded as Alnwick on the 1901 and by the census is that bit older.

I would be grateful for any help or advice on the above

Regards

Martin

[KGarrad]

In the 1901 census, the William you found is 40 year old!

Reference RG13, Piece 4758, Folio 120, Page 37
64 & 66 Camperdown Street, Gateshead

Lawson, William  Head  M  40  Tramway Labourer  b Alnwick, Northumberland
Lawson, Emily  Wife  F  42 n b Gateshead
Lawson, Theresa  Daughter  F  19  General Servant (Domestic)  b Gateshead
Lawson, Emily  Daughter  F  15  General Servant (Domestic)  b Gateshead
Lawson, Willie  Son  M  12  b Gateshead
Lawson, John  Son  M  14  b Gateshead
Lawson, Annie  Daughter  F  10  b Gateshead
Lawson, Edward  Son  M  6  b Gateshead
Lawson, Robert  Son  M  2  b Gateshead
Trow, James  Lodger  M  23  General Labourer  b Essex
Nugent, James  Father-in-Law  Widower  M  72  Generl Labourer  b Ireland

That still puts his age 10 years out, but closer to 1871! 

[Martin17]

Hi KGarrad

Thank you for getting back to me.

I was not sure if William was 40 or 48 when I looked at the census. I ran with 48. As you say it gets him closer to 1871 or could he be the son of Robert and Elizabeth born about 1865 at Alnwick ?

Regards

Martin

[KGarrad]

Out of curiosity - what was Elizabeth's age on the marriage certificate?

If she was 12 years older than William, it is quite likely he would have "adjusted" his age?

Looking at FreeBMD for William Lawson births in Alnwick, 1857 to 1875, throws up 4 possibilities:

March qtr 1862, Alnwick,  Vol 10b, Page 304
December qtr 1864, Alnwick,  Vol 10b, Page 301
June qtr 1870, Alnwick   Vol 10b, Page 340
March qtr 1873, Alnwick  Vol 10b, Page 372

The 1870 birth looks favourite to me 

Maybe you could order the certificate, but clearly state that father's name is Robert?
If a match is found, then you'll have the mother's name also.

[Martin17]

Hi KGarrad

Elizabeth Mooney is recorded as being 36 years old on the marriage certificate. She is recorded as being a widow and her father is recorded as being James Nugent, employed as an Ironworker. Elizabeth is residing at 35 Argyll Street, most likely the house next door to William

William is recorded as being 22 years old on the marriage certificate. I thought he would have "adjusted" his age to have made him even older.

I will have a closer look at the Williams you have provided.

Regards

Martin

[KGarrad]

Elizabeth Mooney is recorded as being 36 years old on the marriage certificate.

That's making sense now!
Either William changed his age, or the enumerator assumed they were closer in age, and 40 was entered as age in the 1901 census.
He would, in fact, have been 30.

[Kirsty Spence]

Hi
I’m a distant relative of William Lawson son of Robert Lawson and Elizabeth from Alnwick you mention.
Robert was the brother of my 2 x great grandfather also called William (b 1847 Alnwick)

[Martin17]

Hi Kirsty

I did the Lawson research for a friend, so not my main research. I am sure I have my notes and research for this somewhere in a folder or on the computer.

Please give me a few days to have a look and hopefully I will be able to update you with what I researched.

Kind regards

Martin

[Kirsty Spence]

Hi Martin
Yes this would be fantastic - thank you. Was the friend a relation to the Lawsons from Alnwick. They were quite a big family.
Kirsty