Hi, I wonder if anyone has access to baptisms post 1837 for County Durham. My Great Great Grandad, John Thornton married Jane Dixon (formerly Pigford) on 24th Feb 1873 at Collierley Parish Church. They are living in Oxhill. He is listed as a widower and Jane as a widow. It says both are of full age so over 21. His father is listed as William Thornton a mason. John is listed as a miner. On my Great Grandad's birth certificate in 1876 John is listed as a mason's apprentice. My Great Grandad was called Adam Thornton, no middle names given on his birth certificate. I had believed John to be the son of William Thornton and Mary Ann Forster from nearby Chester-Le-Street, born 1838,but that has been thrown into doubt now. When some of their children were born they were living in Coxhoe and christenings took place at St Helen's, Kelloe. But I have now found some burial records for St Helen's and listed is John Thornton son of William and Mary Ann died 8th Dec 1855 aged 17 which would mean he was born 1838. There is also a John Thomas Thornton died 3rd Dec 1856 aged 2 son of William and Mary Ann and Margaret died 1849 aged 14 months. I have tried to follow the family on the census and I had Margaret 1851 living into old age. I haven't been able to find other members of the family with the same names baptised to William and Mary Ann. Also I can't find a John and Jane Thornton with a son called Adam anywhere on the census. Jane's first husband was a Thomas Dixon and she had 2 children Charles c1867 and Thomas c1868, they are living with their grandparents, Adam and Ann Pigford in 1881. I can only find Adam in the 1901 census with his wife and children. I have searched Durham records online, IGI, Family Search etc with no luck. So any help at all would be most welcome. Thanks for your time, Kathryn.
Hi Barbara, Yes that is the right marriage and I do have the certificate. I also have Adam's war pension records and there is no middle name on there either. Thanks for taking the time to help, much appreciated. Kathryn.