Thomas Johnson - Completed thankyou so much!!!!!

[liz_bern]

Hi everyone, I am wondering if anyone can help with locating the birth of my GGrandfather Thomas Johnson.  Yes I hear you all now saying not another common name, just about as bad as Smith and Brown.  I have located his marriage in Gateshead, Durham on 14 Sept 1880 to Ellen Richardson.  It says he was born in 1854 which his death certificate also confirms.  He died in New Zealand in 1937 and at the time of his death he had 8 children still alive.

I have found records in NZ that confirm there were 5 children I can connect to them.  The first would have been born either 1880 or 1881 named Margaret then I cant confirm any more births until 1884 (Matthew), 1886 (Ellen), 1888 (Jane my Grandmother), 1889 (Minnie) all born in England (my grandmother having been born in Stockton-on-Tees.  Another birth I have found in NZ is Mary Ethel born 1895.

They were supposed to have come to NZ in either 1888 or 1889 but I cant find any records of their shipping list.  They ended up in Coromandel, NZ where Thomas was a mining Engineer, his wife Ellen, or Helen as she is listed on his death certificate plus headstone, died in Coromandel in 1897 and is buried there but is mentioned on his headstone where he is buried in Auckland.

Helens father was George Richardson, and Thomas' parents were Matthew and Margaret Johnson.  I think I have found Thomas and Ellen in the 1881 census living in No Side 1 Victoria Terrace,m Haydon, Northumberland.  It says he is a Driver of standing engine.  His death certificate says he was an engine driver so that all makes sense.  It also says that Thomas was born in Plunderherheath, Northumberland, but when I google that there is no such place.

I hope this all makes sense, I cant find any of the births in England and guess there could have been more.

Cheers Liz

[Gadget]

Hi

Plunderheath is near Haydon Bridge:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0eiq/

Alternative map:


http://www.rootschat.com/links/0eir/



gnu

[Gadget]

This might be the family in 1861, given his parents' names:

West Brockenheugh*, Chapelry of Haydon  * very close to Plunderheath
RG09/3863/22/10

Matthew Johnson, 45, lead ore miner, b. Warden
Margaret, 39, b. Kirkhaugh
Jane, 21
John, 18, engine keeper
Joseph, 16, lead ore washer or worker
Matthew, 14, -do-
Mary. 9
Thomas, 7
Robt, 5
William, 3
Edward, 1
Ann Stephenson, niece, 11, b. ?

Children all b. Warden


Info about Warden:

http://www.genuki.bpears.org.uk/NBL/Warden/index.html

Just adding this for completeness:

1871:
Railway Cottage, Haydon
RG10/5150/4/1

Matthew Johnson, 55, lead miner, b. Haydon
Margaret,49, b. Kirkhaugh
Matthew, 24, lead miner
Mary. 19, dressmaker
Thomas,17, lead ore washer
Robert, 15, -do-
William, 13, -do-
Edward, 11, -do-
Samuel, 5

Children all born Haydon

and

1851

Matthew, Margaret and the older children in 1851 at Plunder Heath

Plunder Heath, Haydon
HO107/2415/248/12

Matthew Johnson, 35, leadminer
Margaret, 29,
Jane, 10
John, 8,
Joseph, 6
Matthew, 4

all down as b. Warden


gnu

[KGarrad]

I think the family emigrated later than you think!

Found this in 1891:
Reference RG12, Piece 4049, Folio 150, Page 41
16 St Johns Place, Stockton On Tees, County Durham

Johnson, Thomas  Head  M  37  Stationary Engineman  b Haydon Bridge
Johnson, Eleanor  Wife  F  29  b Newsham
Johnson, Margaret  Daughter  F  9  Scholar  b Haydon Bridge
Johnson, George  Son  M  8  Scholar  b Haydon Bridge
Johnson, Matthew  Son  M  6  Scholar  b Newsham
Johnson, Eleanor  Daughter  F  4  b Stockton, Durham
Johnson, Jane  Daughter  F  2  b Stockton, Durham
Johnson, Minnie  Daughter  F  1  b Stockton, Durham

All, except last 3 born in Northumberland

[Gadget]

Two possible birth registrations for Thomas:

Sept q, 1855 Hexham, 10b p 205

or

Dec q, 1855, Hexham, 10b, p 176 (as Thomas Bulman Johnson) - this was not him, I've found this one in Prudoe with a different family

gnu

[KGarrad]

This looks like Ellen in 1871:

Reference RG10, 5132, 61, 23
North Station Row, Newsham, Earsdon

Richardson, George  Head  M  32  Coal Miner  b Morton Square, Northumberland
Richardson, Eleanor  Wife  F  30  b Morton Square
Richardson, Ellan  Daughter  F  8  Scholar  b Newsham
Richardson, Susannah  Daughter  F  6  Scholar  b Newsham
Richardson, Elizabeth  Daughter  F  4  b Newsham
Richardson, Alexander  Son  M  2  b Kitty Brewster

[Gadget]

I've found a family of Johnsons, headed by a Thomas,  leaving London for Wellington in 1895 - correct birth year but  ..... 

I can give full details, if you'd like.



gnu

[KGarrad]

Gnu,

I saw that too - but on the list he is described as a carpenter?

[Gadget]

It's the only one showing which was why I didn't give full details. I've checked via Australia but none showing.

People often didn't give their correct occupation for many reasons so has to be considered.

I'll see if I can find any others on another listing.




gnu