Surname Interests

[Nick Carver]

I went to school with a guy called Hazon from Prudhoe in Northumberland, just 3 or 4 miles down the road from Ryton. Not a common name at all. I have seen something about him on the web, so if you are interested PM me and I'll point you in the right direction

[Adamand]

Hi.Out of the many thousands of names (not my family) that I have in my data base I have only ever come across one family of COUPER. Here it is.It may help.
Gravestone inscription from Hunwick in Co Durham.
In effectionate Remembrance of Menelaus J.U.L. COUPER
of Quarryburn who died 12/Jan/1902 age 77 years.
Also Hannah wife of the above who died 6/Feb/1906 age 87 years

Adam

[O1dgobbo]

Hi Tony

Thank you for pointing me towards that 1861 Blaydon census record for Peter Cau?er, gardener and Dorothy.  I think it almost certainly does refer to our ancestors.  My reasoning starts with the 1871 census entry for Shincliffe (RG10/4969 page 101).  This couple were living at Back Street, Shincliffe, and James is described as a Brick Burner born in Scotland - I cannot read his age.  Dorothy is described as 32 and born in Durham Elvett.  Their eldest child was John W Couper, age 9, born in Durham, Blaydon.  I have now got a copy of John W's birth entry:

Registration District Gateshead, 1861 birth in the sub-district of Winlaton in the County of Durham

Eighth May 1861 Blaydon Winlaton
John William Boy
[Father] Peter Couper Gardener
[Mother] Dorothy Couper formerly Heaviside
[Informant] Peter Couper Father Blaydon Winlaton
[Registered] 20 May 1861 Thomas Hall Registrar

Their third child Dorothy Annie Couper was born on 26 Oct 1864 at Black Hill, Benfieldside.  The informant for the birth registration was again the father but this time he described himself as James Couper, Gardener, and he seems to have used the name James for the rest of his life.

So I am very confident that our ancestor is the Peter Couper who was married to Mary Heaviside on 5 Aug 1860 in the Parish of St Cuthbert's Stella and equally that the bride, Mary, was actually our Dorothy.

The ages that the couple give in the census returns are not entirely consistent with each other:  Dorothy's birth year, estimated from the census ages, ranges from 1840 to 1831 (actually 1830) and Peter/James from 1834 to 1841.  I suspect that 1840/41 is close to the truth and that he was probably under age when he was married although the certificate declares him of full age.  The 1861 census return reports his birthplace as Scotland Fife Shire and I have looked on Scotlandspeople for a possible match.  In 1841, there was a family headed by Peter Cooper, living in Abbotshall, which included an 8 month old Peter Cooper and a 6 year old William Cooper.  In 1851 the family are still in Abbotshall but the name is spelled Couper and Peter junior is a linen weaver while Peter senior is listed as Ag Labourer.

I cannot trace a birth or christening record for Peter Cooper/Couper/Cowper born in Fife about 1840 and at the moment I am not sure whether the Abbotshall family are our relations.  Help with this would be welcome.

[Jebbo]

It does look very likely that Peter Couper is the same guy.  I also can't find his birth at ScotlandsPeople, but I can't find any births for any of the children listed in the 1851 scotland census.  Both sons William and Peter disappear from the Scottish census after 1851.

On William Cooper, I checked the records of the Sutherland Highlanders a while ago and a William Cooper (the only Cooper/Couper in the regiment) enlisted on 10th Feb 1852 aged 17 in Kirkcaldy, so he matches pretty well -- assuming what I've been told about the letter is right!

I found Peter Couper, senior's marriage and birth:

Banns were proclaimed in Abbotshall to Catherine Mitchell on 19th, 26th July & 2nd Aug 1829.  Oddly, they seem to have married in Kirkcaldy on the 19th of July:

"Peter Couper, Weaver of the Parish of Abbotshall, Son of Wm. Couper, Labourer, New Town of Abbotshall & Catherine Mitchell of this Parish daughter of George Mitchell, Weaver, Kirkaldy, Married."

Peter Couper was baptised in Kinglassie, 2nd Aug 1807: "Peter Cooper Son of W Cooper Labourer in Cluny."

--- Tony

[behindthefrogs]

While I know that Jebbo has, very few of the people posting on this thread have recorded their interests in the Surname Interests Table.  The more people who do, the better chance there is of getting a match.

The link is via "Your Surname Interests" at the foot of every page.

[Geoff]

Hi Tony,
Here's a couple of listings I noticed that might interest you.

6th Aug 1792
Thomas YEARL married Ann BURLISON, both of Lumley Castle in this parish, by Banns, G T Harmon {sub curate}
witnesses Margaret LAURINS & William Prybus.

FORSTER
17th Feb 1793 Hannah d/o Joseph FORSTER, Pitman & his wife Elizabeth of Housten Outside

21st July 1793, Ann d/o John FORSTER & his wife Mary of Edmonsdley Fell

27th Oct 1793, Hannah d/o Robert FORSTER & his wife Mary of Lumley

Hope some of this helps.

Cheers
Geoff

[keelyjrs]

Hi, those are my ancestors!
My tree is Keely ranaghan. You're more than welcome to contact me for sharing info
Keely


Dorothy couper

[O1dgobbo]

Hi Keely
Dorothy Couper was the daughter of Dorothy Heaviside, who was step-sister to Mary Lavinia Heavisisde, your direct ancestor.. We are both descended from John Heaviside, who was married at least twice = to Estyer Palmer (your branch) and Mary Wandless (my branch).
All the best
Gobbo

[wotty]

Jebbo,

Are you aware of www.wanlessweb.org? I've found my Wan(d)lass/Wanless family on there. The sources are well documented on the site, so it might save you a lot of work!

Wotty.