William Atchison/Atkinson father of Robert Atkinson

[JenB]

This is from your posting on the William Atkinson thread on the Australia board, which I suggested should be posted in Durham.

In the bishop Transcripts Durham diocese, under Tanfield Durham 1765-1844 on image page 40, there is a marriage of William Atkinson and Catherine  ? ( can' t make the surname out ) on 4th December 1775, Do you think this could be Williams Parents?

I think you are going about this the wrong way. You need to work backwards from what you know, not look for people who might be his parents, then work forward.

You know that William was said to be 'native of Tanfield'. Therefore your first step should be to see if you can find a suitable baptism in Tanfield. You know that William was aged between 65 and 69 in 1841 (going by the census) so that will give you a date to start from.

If you find a convincing baptism, hopefully with the name of at least the father, then you can start to go back another generation 

[WolfieSmith]

A baptism at Gateshead St. Mary, 1807.

Born March 29. Baptized Sep 13. Thomas, 2nd son of William Atkinson, of Brancepeth, Pitman, and Isabella Turnbull, daughter of John Turnbull of Washington.

Brancepeth parish is quite a bit south of Tanfield. So he may have been born there and moved to Tanfield as a child or vice versa. May need to look for a baptism at both parishes or one of the ones in between.

Alan.

[rayaco]

many thanks, have been looking for Williams baptism in tanfieds church records, when i came across the marriage. looked at 1770 up to 1780, baptism, with no luck. Will add thomas to the list, thanks

[rayaco]

Found a death of looks like Fortune Atkinson with William and Isabella as parents. Fortune died 10th april 1815 at Wallsend, according to bishops transcrips, age 20? Looks like 20. Can't find a birth, looks like she would be born in 1795 ish. Do you think she is from our william and isabella? William and Isabella got married in 1800. Isabella, maiden name was Turnbull.

Still trying to find Williams birth and Parents, been looking  in bt but some of the pages seem to be missing. Can't find the records for Brancepeth, to confirm what was suggested and also some other areas in sunderland could fit with Williams birth and parents, but can't confirm or rule any out any? Any suggestions or any idea's ? Can anyone please help ?