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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Westmorland => Topic started by: MadaboutRoses1883 on Tuesday 21 July 15 10:08 BST (UK)
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Please could anyone help me break down a brick wall?
My gr grandfather, Stephen Atkinson, said to be born in Kirkby Lonsdale in 1852.
At the time of Stephen's marriage in 1878 he was living in Golgotha village Scotforth in Lancaster and was married at St Anne's Christ Church in Lancaster, age 26, occupation was Stonemason. His father is named as William Atkinson who was also a Stonemason.
In the 1881 census he was living/working as a stonemason at Underbeckmill in Windermere and then lived in Skerton Lancaster by the 1891and 1901 census. So I know everything from 1881 forward.
But I cannot find his birth/baptism record or who his mother and siblings are?
I would be very grateful if someone could help me break through this brick wall and help me go backward to trace his parents/siblings and further back.
Many thanks
Rosie
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1851, the year before his alleged birth year, sees two William Atkinsons residing in Kirky Lonsdale
1)
High Biggins, KL
William 37 labourer bn Horton Lancs
Eleanor 31 wife bn Westmorland Lupton Row?
Isabella 5 daughter bn Biggins
Isabella 7 relative bn Cumberland
2)
A 27 yr old farm servant, bn Yorkshire, in the household of a William Howson (farmer) and family
The former looks worth pursuing
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However, in 1861 they just have 15 yr old Isabella, no sign of a Stephen!
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Thankyou so much for the information, it's worth pursuing the first .
He certainly is elusive isn't he?
Rosie
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No birth reg in 1852 for a Stephen Atkinson in Westmorland.
He could well have started life under a different name. Maybe illegitimate, under mothers name. There is a birth for a Stephen Grigg
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No birth reg in 1852 for a Stephen Atkinson in Westmorland.
He could well have started life under a different name. Maybe illegitimate, under mothers name. There is a birth for a Stephen Grigg
Stephen Grigg died in 1853
Who were the witnesses at his marriage?
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Lan-OPC shows the witnesses to be David Atkinson and Elizabeth Annie Baines.
(Stephen's bride was Annie Wareham, 23, spinster, cotton slougher, of 5 Aldcliffe St Lancaster, "born out of wedlock").
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I wonder whether the male witness was David L[eeming] Atkinson b abt 1820, who shows in the censuses as a stone mason born & living in Kirkby Lonsdale.
Interestingly, according to his 1841 marriage to Jane Dobson, David's father's name was Stephen. A family link, perhaps?
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I see that your Stephen was 45 in 1891; 57 in 1901; 65 in 1911 (free index), suggesting a mid-1840s birthdate.
I also see that he named one of his sons David Leeming Atkinson (1887) further suggesting a link with the David I mentioned before.
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I've been looking at this and something I found makes me wonder if in fact William as Stephen's fathers name is a mistake.
Why do I think this? I noticed 2 birth registrations in March qtr. 1845 in Kendal both for Stephen Atkinson, I wondered if this was a mistake but looking at 1851 there are 2 Stephen Atkinsons in Kirkby Lonsdale. One is the son of John and Margaret the other the son of Robert and Frances. Robert is a stone mason.
Look what Stephen names his children.
This does want more research, what does Stephen's death certificate say about his age/date of birth?
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Thankyou everyone.
I know he had a son called Robert, born in Caton near Lancaster, I think 1880? And also a son called David Leeming, ( I did wonder if the other older David Leeming was his borther also?)
I don't have his death certificate but I am almost sure on Lan'cs BDM he is said to have died in 1913, aged 65? Family search differs in the date though.
He also called one of his daughter's Frances, which makes me wonder if Robert and Frances could have been his parents? And he had a son called William too as well as Stephen.
I don't think the birth date is 1845 as the marriage says he is 26 in 1878?
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I've been looking at this and something I found makes me wonder if in fact William as Stephen's fathers name is a mistake.
Why do I think this? I noticed 2 birth registrations in March qtr. 1845 in Kendal both for Stephen Atkinson, I wondered if this was a mistake but looking at 1851 there are 2 Stephen Atkinsons in Kirkby Lonsdale. One is the son of John and Margaret the other the son of Robert and Frances. Robert is a stone mason.
Look what Stephen names his children.
This does want more research, what does Stephen's death certificate say about his age/date of birth?
Just had another look at FindMyPast records I had saved, note 1911 census, which reads;
Sthephen Atkinson Head
Married Male
Stone Mason
65
1846
Kirby Lonsdale
This is what I now think.
William as his father was a mistake and Robert and Frances were his parents afterall?
In the 1861 in Ellel Lancashire, I also think I have found Robert & Stephen, without Frances, she died in 1861 aged 39.
In 1871 they are in Caton Lancashire , he has remarried again (Ellen) cannot find marriage though? Robert & david Leeming are with them, Stephen is with a family called Routledge in Kirkby Lonsdale aged 26, occupation as a Waller. (Frances was called Routledge).
Can anyone help me confirm these facts please?
Rosie