Birth look-ups for Black family in Rockcliff, Dykesfield, Burgh by Sands

[kirstyc]

Hi there
I've managed to trace a family member back and think I've found some of his family living in Dykesfield and surrounding villages. Trouble is, I can't seem to find any births registered for any of these villages.

Firstly, where would the nearest parish church be? Dykesfield looks pretty tiny so may not have had its own church.

Secondly, does anyone know whether the lack of records might be to do with records being lost / limited / damaged? Or might they have been part of a non conformist church? It seems odd that while I can find him and what appear to be his family members in the census records, there don't seem to be any birth records at all for the Black family.

The person I'm looking for is William Black born around 1809 in Burgh [by Sands].  I think his father is Robert Black born Rockcliff in 1771 and farming in Dykesfield.

I'm not familiar with this area at all so would appreciate any tips
thanks!
Kirsty

[Geoff-E]

Dykesfield is in B by S parish http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CUL/BurghbySands/Gaz1868

Rockcliffe is a parish http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CUL/Rockcliffe

There was an Eleanor BLACK at Rockcliffe, bap 7 May, bur 27 June 1811, dau of Robert BLACK and Mary ARMSTRONG (IGI)

[kirstyc]

Hi there
Yes that's the couple.
If Eleanor was baptised and buried at Rockliffe in 1811 it's likely that William would have been baptised there too since he was born just 2 years before in 1809.
According the 1851 census, an older sister Elizabeth was born in Rockcliffe in 1794, possibly a John too in 1795 and then some younger ones born in Burgh in 1816 and later.

I can't see Eleanor on FindMyPast 
In fact I can't see any Rockcliffe records at all. How's it spelled?
thanks
Kirsty

[Geoff-E]

I can't see Eleanor on FindMyPast 

The IGI is on https://familysearch.org/hr/search

[Cazza47]

There is a William Black born around 1806, living with wife Mary and 7 children living at Peter Syke, Rockliffe in the 1841 census, is the right family?
Carol

[kirstyc]

That's not my guy. Might be related though.

[Gan Yam]

Hi

Is your William the one that appears in the later census as an accountant and married to Mary (possibly Johnstone married at St Mary's, Carlisle in July 1838)?  If this is the correct person/marriage would a certificate help identify his father.

You are spelling Rockcliffe correctly.  Geographically it is not very far from Burgh however the only way to get from one to the other is a longer distance as the the only river crossing is in centre of Carlisle.  There were a few Quakers in the Burgh area.  There is a church in Burgh, one in Beaumont. Rockcliffe is very close to the Scottish border, so Gretna could be a possibility and also the churches in Carlisle (Stanwix, St Mary's and St Cuthbert's) are likely possibilities.

[kirstyc]

Hi
Yes, my William is the one who married in 1838:

'1838 St. Cuthbert's. on Saturday last, Mr. William Black, land agent to the Blenkinsopp Coal and Lime Company [owner of Blenkinsopp Colliery at Haltwhistle], to Mary, youngest daughter of Mr. Thomas Johnston, of Carlton, near this city.'

He and his family lived in Carlisle and the '51, '61 and '71 census returns say he was born in Burgh.
I've found one of his daughters, Mary E (b.1840) staying with her grandfather and cousins in Dykesfield in 1851. This is how I found what I think is William's father, Robert Black and family.
I found that Robert had 6 other children all baptised in Rockcliffe but no sign of William's birth there.

I'm wondering how likely it would be that he would list his place of birth as Burgh on census returns if his family were from Dykesfield / Rockcliffe.

[Gan Yam]

He seems quite consistent with Burgh as his birthplace, so wouldn't have thought if it was Rockcliffe he would say Burgh.  If it was Dykesfield or that area it would seem more likely as the whole area is known as Burgh Marshes. 

Just a thought - if he moved to Burgh when very young he may just give it as his birth place

Would his actual marriage cert give any more clues or the marriage entry in the church register?