Hello,
I'm a bit late for this thread - can we resurrect it for a bit? I'm interested in Jonathan Wilkinson (b 1833 or so) as he's my Great great grandfather. I'm keen to find out a bit more about his father, and a few of his sons.
I can't see anything on this thread that contradicts what little I've found, and it add/confirms a lot.
Matthew is my favourite for being Jonathan's father, but I've never tracked Matthew on any census. I think that's because he didn't make it that far. Durham records online has an entry for a burial for a Matthew Wilkinson in 1838. There's a birth date of about 1808, and the birthplace or abode is given as Pittington. There's an entry for the death of a Matthew Wilkinson in Q2 1838 of the deaths index, but I can't make out the district. The Pittington connection fits in with the Margaret christening at Pittington st Lawrence.