I have had a brick wall in my own line for a few years now. None of the birth certificates I obtained had a father's name on them, which didn't help.
My 2 x Gt Grandfather was Joseph Gibson b.1857, Hetton-le-Hole. His mother was Mary Ann Wake.
These are the records I started with, years ago.
1861
10 Union Street, Hetton le Hole
Mary Ann Wake, Head, Mar, Washerwoman, Durham So Shields
George Thos Gibson, Son, 9, Scholar, Scotland
John Gibson, 5, Scholar, Durham Hetton le Hole
Joseph Gibson, 3, Hetton le Hole
Matthew Gibson, 9mths, Hetton le Hole
RG 9; Piece: 3755; Folio: 68; Page: 25
1871
Hetton le Hole
Mary Gibson, Head, Wid, 44, Northumberland
Joseph Gibson, Son, 13, Coal Miner, Durham
William Gibson, Son, 7, Durham
RG10; Piece: 4984; Folio: 22; Page: 37
Now, Mr Gibson Snr is absent/dead in these census records. And I have searched high and low for George Thomas Gibson, b.c.1852 in Scotland, with no luck.
As far as I can see, there is only one Gibson/Wake marriage:
20th February 1842
Parish of Jarrow in the county of Durham
George Gibson, Minor, Batchelor, Waterman, South Shields
Groom's Father: Charles Gibson, Waterman
Mary Ann Wake, Full age, Spinster, South Shields
Bride's Father: John Wake, Tailor/Sailor
Witnesses: John Wake & William Grieves
I have the following children for George and Mary Gibson:
Catherine Gibson, Q June 1843, South Shields (MMN Wake)
Jane Gibson, Q Sept 1845-1849, South Shields (MMN Wake)
John Gibson, Q Sept 1849-1849, South Shields (MMN Wake)
Margaret Gibson, Q June 1850-1850, South Shields (MMN Wake)
George Gibson, Q June 1851, South Shields (MMN Wake)
John Gibson, Q Sept 1855, Houghton le Spring (MMN Wake)
Joseph Gibson, Q Dec 1857, Houghton le Spring (MMN Wake)
Matthew Gibson, Q Sept 1860-1864, Houghton le Spring (No MMN)
William Gibson, Q June 1864, Houghton le Spring (No MMN)
Could it be that the George Gibson listed above is the George Thomas Gibson in the 1861 census?
I have then found this in 1851 (with a little help from revisiting a post from 2005!):
Brewery Lane, South Shields
George Gibson, Head, Mar, 28, Mariner, Durham South Shields
Mary Gibson, Wife, 30, Northumberland Percy Main
Catherine Gibson, 8, Durham South Shields
HO107; Piece: 2400; Folio: 216; Page: 15
I have census records from 1861 and 1871, but no others with any of the children on them, other than Joseph.
I haven't yet found records of George Gibson Snr or Mary (Ann) Wake with their parents.
If anyone could help or find any other snippets of information, I'd be most grateful!
Many thanks, Emma