I posted this on the Northumberland Board, but the replies that have come in suggest that I should have posted it here.
This is a long shot, but I thought it was worth a post.
My hobby is bookbinding and very occasionally I come across a book with enough information about a previous owner, to try to find out a little bit more. (I'm always curious about past owners.) There's also always the possibility that the information may be of real use to someone here.
I'm currently repairing a friend's 1809 copy of John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" in which the original owner, a George Ridley, has listed the date of his marriage (although rather surprisingly not the name of his wife), and the dates of birth of his children. I'm assuming, given the surname that the family is probably Northumbrian and am wondering if anyone here recognises them.
George Ridley, married 20 May 1820
Marey was born 10 October 1821
Margaret was born 3 December 1824
George was born 17th December 1826
Ann(? I can't read this name but it's short, so it's a best guess) 23rd January 1830
Joseph was born 10th December 1833
Jhon (? again difficult to read andI think it's probably meant to be John) 1st April 1840
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The family is in Kelloe,Durham in 1841 (and onwards).
George born abt 1796 in Durham is an ag lab. His wife is Margret born abt 1798 in Durham.
Maureen
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I agree with Maureen that must be the family. In 1841 they have Margret 15, George 12, Ann 10, Joseph 7 and John 1 with them. HO107/313 bk12 f4 p3.
1861 gives birthplace of Lumley, Durham for both George and "Margret". RG9/3749/78/7.
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George Ridley married Margaret Pattison. 20 May 1820, Durham St. Mary le Bow. (FreeReg).
Alan.
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Goodness that was quick, thank you all very much. Clearly I should have posted on the Durham Board in case there's anyone there who could use the info and I'll do that now.
I'm now intrigued, as I wouldn't have expected an agricultural labourer in 1809 to have such good handwriting or to own a leather bound book, which would have been prohibitively expensive at that time. It does go some way to explaining why he used it to log the dates though as it may well have been a prized possession and the only leather bound book in the house.
