I don't have dates, just some names. Mary Ellen Todd, my grandmother, was a Todd by virtue of her mother, who had married into the Todd family. As we understand it the line went this way: An Ellen Campbell (from Scotland) married into a Hardy family and became Ellen (Campbell) Hardy. Her daughter was named Mary Hardy and she married a Todd in Durham, becoming Mary (Hardy) Todd. Mary (Hardy) Todd passed away in her early 30s, but not before giving birth to at least one child, a daughter, Mary Ellen Todd. Mary Ellen Todd then married Frederick Messenger and gave birth to three children: Jean, Alan and Marion Messenger. That part of the Messenger line ended there.
However, the Messengers had a large family. Frederick Messenger was one of six children of Joseph Messenger and Charlotte (Thirkell) Messenger. Charlotte was the one who founded and ran the bakery/confectionary business that Mary Ellen (Todd) Messenger took over and successfully ran. The six children were Lucy, Ethel, Nellie, Victor, Joseph and Frederick. Apparently, of the six children, the three women did well, all marrying and having children, while the boys (who were supposed to take over the business), were more problematic. Family lore has it that Victor was sent to Australia and Joseph to Canada (the verb "sent" is the key verb), however that is all hearsay. Frederick was not much better, but he had married well in Mary Todd and she took over the business and kept the family going.
I have a few more names related to the descendants of the Messenger sisters (Lucy, Ethel and Nellie), if you are interested. I can can also shed additional light on Jean, Alan and Marion Messenger. We also have a few bits and pieces about the Thirkell relationship.
Hope this helps in some way. I'd be interested to know if any of this rings any bells with your research.
