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Wow, loads of information regarding the Folly.  Unfortunately I have now been informed that 'Donkin's Folly' was not in Blyth at all, so has no connection with Folly road.
My cousin has since told me that Donkin's Folly was actually in Cramlington.  It was on the roundabout outside the MSD factory.  It was a brick structure that actually looked like a derelict windmill, but it was actually used to help sink a pit to see if there was any coal underground.  Her grandmother (my g.aunt) said that her father sank a pit shaft there, but came up with nothing (this would probably be around 1880ish as my g.aunt was born in 1876).  It wasn't until the 1900s that people realised that the whole area was  full of coal (but on the surface.  She was often said to be really saddened by the fact that her father had failed to find coal.

Again, wow.  You lot know a lot more than I do.  Everything you have pointed me to so far has been what I am looking for.  With regards to John L Donkin, I didn't know he went backwards and forwards to Canada, or that my g.uncle Alexander was with him.  That is a turn up for the books.  If he went to Halifax then he must have gone to relatives there.  I just need to check out which of the Donkins lived there during this period.  I have photographs of him with some other people, but don't know who they are. 
I only wish I had asked more questions when I was younger, but I do have a couple of cousins who are in their 80's who's grandmother knew an awful lot of things.  One of my cousins has admitted that she now wishes she had listened more to her.  You never know though, she may remember something.  Worth a visit up to see her.  She may know of other cousins living in our area who I don't know.
Thanks for all the information and pointers you have given me.
Kath

Wow!.  I don't manage to get back on to my computer for a short while and everyone has worked so hard for me, especially Valerie.  This information is fantastic, with all the sites and everything.  Our family know we are connected to the Donkins in Canada, but trying to find out anything here is a long hard slog.  I will try these sites out. 
All the names, etc you mention are part of the Donkins I am trying to research.  They must have left siblings over in England because my g.uncle's grandson can remember beging taken to the Ovingham area of Northumberland to stay with his cousins.
My g.uncle came to Canada in the early part of the 20th century, and we have photographs of him and his second wife and his son taken outside a log cabin.  His grandson gave me copies, so I know this is true.  Also true is the fact that he was asked to leave Canada - before the authorities arrested him on some charge or another.  (skeleton in the cupboard?)  None of the family know the reason for this. 
Once again, thanks for all the information and pointers.  I shall try and let you know how I come on with my research.
Kath

An old story that has come down from previous generations of our family, is that some members of the Donkin family were given land in Nova Scotia by the British Government in the mid 1700's.  I am now trying to find which member of the family actually came to Nova Scotia, but don't know where to start looking.
On checking marriage records in England I find that a William Donkin married Ann Scott (which I think are the ones) and then they just disappear.  I cannot find any children belong to them in any other records, and there are no deaths for them either.  They came from a farming area of England, so I presume that they would have been farming in Nova Scotia.
Could anyone point me in the right direction.

Thanks, Kath