Interesting link but what to look for now?

[Whipby]

In the 1871 census, a non-direct ancestor of mine is a visitor in the household of a reasonably well-to-do family named Garthwaite.  I've never been able to figure out how she might be connected or related to this family.  She was illegitimate and does not have an occupation listed while visiting them - doesn't look like she's a servant or any sort of employee.  No clue as to why she's there and not with her family - she was 20 years old.

However, looking back at some old notes and records, I have today realised that a witness at her great great grandfather's marriage (over 100 years earlier) was also called Garthwaite.

Co-incidence probably, with such a big gap between the two events, but I'd like to look into it. 

One tenuous link is that the Mr Garthwaite that she's visiting lists his birthplace as Sunderland, and from what I can make out, the marriage of her gg grandfather took place in Bishopwearmouth which I believe is in Sunderland.

Does anyone have any ideas what I could do next to verify the relationship - if any?

I'm not asking for anyone to do lookups for me, which is why I haven't posted all the names etc., but rather some tips on what to do?  It's just something that's always intrigued me and although it's quite trivial, I'd like to get to the bottom of it if possible!

[stanmapstone]

The parish of Sunderland was formed out of the parish of Bishopwearmouth in 1719.

Stan

[Whipby]

Thanks Stan.

[lewis1c]

The general approach for this type of thing I think it to build up the family trees for both the family and individual concerned and look for common names linking them eg maiden names etc

A bit more specific info on the individual would be helpful and I've no doubt a lot of people on here would see it as a challenge and would be only too pleased to do some looking up !

[danuslave]

I agree with lewis1c 

Trace the Garthwaite names that you have and, hopefully, the families will intersect at some point.

We'll help if you need us   

Linda

[lewis1c]

For a bit of lateral thinking, was the individual visiting the Garthwaite family or perhaps someone else who was boarding with them ?

[HeatherLynne]

Have you tried contacting people who are researching the Garthwaite family?  A Google search turns up a few possible links.

In fact on the Surname Interests Table here on Rootschat it seems there are three people interested in the name, you could try sending them a PM 

Heather

[Whipby]

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice.  I know lots about the girl herself, virtually nothing about the Garthwaites though, so will try to at least track them through the censuses and see if anything crops up. 

Also in the household are two boarders and a servant - none of whose surnames or birthplaces link in any obvious way to my girl - and I have wondered in the past if she is visiting one of these, rather than the family itself, but is it very likely that the family would put her up if this was the case?  They could do I suppose, so I'll have to consider all possibilities.

If I get nowhere I'll certainly ask for some more help, thank you all!

[lewis1c]

Check the 1881 census original for this Garthwaite family. The people living next door (or next faily entry) - do these have the same surname as your individual of interest Coincidence maybe ? Or maybe not ?