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I wonder if any one on here can help me progress a family mystery?

It has taken me ages but I finally found a marriage for 2XGGM Julia Mullins to William Johnson at Bishhopwearmouth 18/10/1864 - home address for both = 32 Green Street Bishopwearmouth, he was a fire stoker on board a Screw Steamer - father John Johnson (Dec'd).

Problem is that William died before Dec 1869 as Julia remarried at this time, and she then lived in Ryhope/Easington (could have been there earlier than this as all her family were living there). They had one daughter, Sarah (GGM), who took her stepfather's name which is why it has taken an age to get this far - family were all very tight-lipped over this  so sense some kind of "mystery" involved somewhere, and this further follows The Golden Rule of Family Mysteries in that all those who "knew" are no longer around to ask (GRRRRRRRRRRR!!)

The thing is, I can't find his death in any obvious place - any ideas? He would have been about 29 years old - to me this suggests it was an accident? Family legend has it that he was a Scandinavian seaman who worked in a coal mine after his marriage and died in a pit disaster. BUT I can't find him!! The only bit that rings true is the fact he worked on a coal steamer.

I suspect he left her.... if not, why be so uptight about it after all these years?

Any info greatfully received

Regards, Stella

Wow, thanks Graham, had no idea about the step-relationship, looks like yet another mystery to solve with this family!!

Could you suggest where I could view the original (I am in Yorkshire, can't get up to Northumberland very easily - can I "buy" a copy of it?)

TIA, Stella

marion - I have not looked at that, but I will do. I look at the one for Sharlow a fair bit (as this is close to Trent Lock, which I know they worked from sometimes). There are more and more canal sites every time I do a search.

Thanks for that,

Stella
x

Ayup mi ducks, exiled Notts lass in Yorkshire here - well, I say Notts, kinda depends doesn't it?

The registration district / ward of SHARDLOW is the one to watch out for as it covers bits of Notts, Derbyshire and even a tiny corner of Leics. I find a lot of of census stuff has ended up in the Notts records.

Needless to say loads of mine are in there. It is a bit wierd in this area  - take my own case - born in Nottinghal City Hospital (ie in the city of Nottingham) but family lived in Ilkeston (ie Derbyshire) so my birth had to be registered by proxy .... hope no one ever wants to find me in the future!! As we moved to Stapleford when I was 5 (and mum's family are there) I think if myself as a Notts lass. But am I?

Then there is Long Eaton.......! Again, loads of mine there too (dad's side).

Some I know of are Stapleford, New Stapleford, Moorbridge, Sandiacre, Trowell, Bramcote, Bramcote Hills, Ockbrook, Sawley, New Sawley, Aston on Trent, Weston on Trent, Trent Lock, Cotmanhay, Mapperley, Stanton Village, Stanton by Dale, Stanley Common, West Hallam, Kirk Hallam - there are probably a few more besides.

HTH

Stella

Thanks to every one for all their help, I will post back if and when I manage to "get" him on 1837online - it is one of those "WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO" moments in our house (we bagan to think he was a figment of late MIL's imagination!!

Happy new year to everyone,
love, Stella xx