This is one of those where I know the end of the story, but haven't a clue about the beginning. It concerns Thomas Jackson, whom I'll call "my TJ" in the hope it might improve clarity.
The earliest known census fix for my TJ is in 1871, by which time he has definitely wandered over to the west coast of what was then Cumberland. He is living at 3 Tail End, Beckermet, then in the parish of Haile, with his wife (the former Hannah Rigg of Muncaster) and their young family. He describes himself as a 'sawyer of wood' from Strictland, Cumberland (no such place, as far as I know!). This location wavers in later censuses to Hugill (1881) and Ings (1891). His occupation and DOB stay reasonably consistent, including his GRO death registration in Apr-Jun 1892 (Bootle).
In other words my TJ almost certainly came from somewhere near Staveley, b.abt 1830.
Possible census sightings from earlier include:
1861: a TJ from Staveley visiting the Lindale family in Nether Wasdale. Listed as a 'mechanicks' - possibly fixing bobbin or saw mill machinery?
1851: a TJ from Westmorland boarding with Betty Leece (Hannah Rigg's aunt) in Broad Oak. Listed as a bobbin turner.
1841 (Option 1): a TJ aged 11 from Westmorland lodging with joiner John Gibson and his wife (nee Jackson) in Ambleside; (Option 2): a TJ aged 14 with parents and brothers at Goose Howe, Hugill.
I wouldn't normally give much credence to my 1841 Option 2 above, because of the age discrepancy, but:
1. I can't find any other trace of my TJ's parents.
2. The location might (just) be described as Ings (baptism place?) and Staveley (nearest village) as well as Hugill, although I still struggle with 'Strictland' (Strickland Ketel, maybe?).
3. My TJ called his first two children Robert and Agnes, which just happen to be the names of the parents at Goose Howe.
4. One of the brothers, Christopher, was also a bobbin turner - he went to Longtown.
Can anyone help me solve this conundrum?