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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Northumberland => England => Northumberland Lookup Requests => Topic started by: catherineh on Friday 10 February 17 23:02 GMT (UK)
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Can anyone assist with more information about my 4x great grandfather Ebenezer Davidson. I have hit a brick wall when trying to go back any further on this line, and would appreciate assistance in finding anything about his father/parents.
I thought a marriage record would help, and have found his marriage to Margaret Home (or Hume) in Jan 1794, but see that it has been recorded in both England (Norham, Northumberland) and Scotland (Coldstream, Berwick). I believe this is the same marriage, but wondered why it would be recorded in two different places/registers. Was this common?
Would the parish register(s) have any more detail - perhaps names of both fathers??
The family were in Norham after the marriage, and their children were born/baptised there.
Any assistance would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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I would say, that Banns were called in both the Bride's and the Groom's Parish - as was the particularly Scottish custom - you will find many Scottish marriages recorded 'twice' and the actual marriage after banns, was usually in the Bride's Parish.
I see in 1841 in Norham, that Ebenezer is recorded as N = Not born in County (as it was then, Durham), and Margaret is recorded as born S = Scotland. Both recorded as age 70.
What were the names and birth years, of their children? There may be Scottish a pattern conformity if Margaret was Scottish by 'tribe' (as opposed to being born there because her parents happened to be there at the time - which could occur for example, if her father was Army, stationed in Berwick).
Cheers
AMBLY
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Thanks Ambly
The two 'marriages' were confusing, but having Banns read in both places makes sense.
If anyone is able to confirm where the actual marriage took place, that would be quite helpful (and may give us a clue as to the fathers and their occupations).
Children of the marriage were:
Agnes - born 1794
George - born 1798 died 1801
John - born 1800
Mary - born 1803
George - born 1805
Robert - born 1807
Alexander - born 1808 died 1810
Alexander - born 1811
Thanks
Catherine
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Hello
If he died before 1851 this could be his death
Ebenezer Davidson Berwick on Tweed Mar 1845 age 77 25 10.
So born 1768.
Does that help?
Scots people would be the place to go but the Library computer I'm on is blocking it as violent and pornographic.
On familysearch Margaret Home is the daughter of James baptised Coldstream 13.4.1772 born 2nd April.So Coldstream is her parish.
Ciderdrinker
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Another member has been researching this family and the marriage was found to be in Coldstream:
"Marriage announced at Norham: Abenezer (sic) Davidson, Schoolmaster of Norham and Margaret Hume of the parish of Coldstream in Scotland were married at Coldstream 4 Jan 1794"
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=738587.0
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Hi Catherineh,
I have only joined RootsChat today and I live in Coldstream. I have looked up the marriage in Old Parish Records on Scotland's People and can confirm the marriage on 4th Jan 1794. Not much more info really, other than they are both shown "of this Parish" and the comment "irregurlarly".
Quote :- "Bear in mind that 'irregular' marriages, by exchange of promises before witnesses, by betrothal and consummation, or by cohabitation and repute, were forms of marriage recognised by Scots Law, yet may have taken place without any official record of the event."
Hope this helps
Terry
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Thanks to all who have assisted me with this search, you've all given me leads and things to think about.
Thanks too, Terry for looking up the Coldstream marriage for me ... it certainly helps, and I've learned something new about 'irregular' marriages. Fascinating!
Of course, it now makes me wonder if there was a 'church' marriage in Norham? Is anyone able to check this for me please?
We also have Ebenezer's death in 1845, so this would fit with a birth around 1768-70. We are still trying to locate a birth/baptism record - perhaps this will give his father's name?
The search goes on ...
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The LDS film no for the marriage at Norham is 2193523, Item 18, page 121, which is Norham Presbyterian Church, Baptisms 1753-1854, so I'm not sure how a marriage would be on that film ???
I can't see that those records are online, but you should be able to order a copy from the records office:
http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/archive.BUR~P~10
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I can look but there won't be a marriage at a Presbyterian church in England in 1794 - it was against the law. The only place for marriage was the Church of England church - exceptions only for Quakers and Jews. This is why Presbyterians hopped over the border to marry.
I think that is why the marriage was announced at Norham - to let their fellow church goers know about it.
Christine
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Hi Christine
Thanks for the offer to look up the marriage in Norham. Not being able to look at physical records is the hardest part of searching from NZ, so all help is very much appreciated.
Your reply does makes more sense of the two marriages on the same day, though. I wasn't aware that Presbyterian marriages were illegal at the time ... something else I've learned on this search!
Looks like we're back to trying to find a baptism for Ebenezer to see if a father's name is recorded.
Thanks again
Catherine
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I wasn't aware that Presbyterian marriages were illegal at the time ... something else I've learned on this search!
Hardwicke's Marriage Act 1753 - the elimination of clandestine/irregular marriages in England and Wales. Though still acceptable in Scotland per Tedster's post no. 5.
Incidentally, welcome to rootschat Terry :)
Christine
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The LDS film no for the marriage at Norham is 2193523, Item 18, page 121, which is Norham Presbyterian Church, Baptisms 1753-1854, so I'm not sure how a marriage would be on that film ???
Can't remember offhand which one it was but I transcribed a presbyterian register for Northumberland FreeReg and, though the couples were married over the border, the minister recorded the marriages in his baptism register. Maybe this is a similar thing?
Boo
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Stumbled across Mi's for Norham while looking for something completely different! (There is a link to them on UKBMD). There are quite a few for the surname Davidson.
Found these:
Sacred to the memory of Ebeneeser Davidson, schoolmaster, Norham who departed this life 29th January 1845 in the 77th year of his age also Margaret his wife who died at Berwick January 5th AD 1850 in the 80th year of his age.
In memory of Agnes daughter of Ebeneeser Davidson,Tillmouth, who died August 23rd 1797 aged 3 years. Also George his son died August 4th 1801 aged 3 1/2 years. Also Alex Davidson his son who died November 14th 1810 aged 2 years.
William
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Thank you William - these notices confirm the approximate birth year for both Ebenezer and Margaret, which will help us narrow down our search for baptism records.
Also - have found out a bit more about Presbyterian marriages at the time.
There were some Presbyterian churches in Northumberland where the minister went to Scotland with the couple and performed the marriage there and then recorded it in the church record of the parish church in England. Given that there would be no marriage register, it is likely that the only one available to record the marriage would be the baptism one, which would explain this one of ours.
Certainly learning a lot about marriage customs and practice with this search - and I appreciate all the help you've been giving. Couldn't do it without you all :)
Catherine
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FamilySearch website which has a lot of errors
has Ebeneezer Davidson baptised at Wooler which is inland south of Norham There were a few churches in the Wooler area.