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Hi Alan

Thanks and yes, I'm aware of both but focussing on the Chester le Street Birtley, as the baptisms of both children (George and Anthony) took place at St. Mary & St. Cuthber's church.

These Birtley (Chester le Street) baptisms point, albeit not conclusively, that the older brother, George, is my 4 x great grandfather. With no recorded evidence of him being found anywhere near Ovingham or any contiguous parishes to St. Mary the Virgin in Ovingham prior to his wedding day, he must have been living elsewhere. It would be logical that he was reasonably local, as his future bride, was born and baptised in Allendale.

George and brother, Anthony's baptism records, both record their father, George Snowball (a Husbandman of Birtley and mother, Mary.

Thanks you Emeltom and Trish1120

This is a salutary warning to others, to ensure they record everything, especially sources! Just where I found the information regarding George Snowball Snr's birth date and place is a mystery but this is what I have.

Ive begun a long, long hunt to establish the parentage of George Snowball, my 4th great, grandfather. He was most probably born in Birtley in 1758 and baptised at Chester le Street in 1761.

His father, (another) George Snowball's place and date of birth are not to be found but I'm pretty sure that I did have his birth and baptism as being at Long Newton in 1729/30.

However, Ancestry does gives his marriage: England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973
Name: George Snowball
Marriage Place: 30 Nov 1755
Marriage Place: Long Newton,Durham,England
Spouse: Mary Robson
FHL Film Number: 91100
and recorded as ‘both of this parish”.

Durham Records Online give details of their 2 children:
George Snowball
Baptisms, Chester-le-Street District
Record Number: 335051.0
Location: Chester-le-Street
Church: St. Mary and St. Cuthbert
Denomination: Anglican
'22 Mar 1761 George Snowball, of Birtley, son of George (husbandman) & Mary Snowball'

and Anthony Snowball
Baptisms, Chester-le-Street District
Record Number: 324131.0
Location: Chester-le-Street
Church: St. Mary and St. Cuthbert
Denomination: Anglican

I have two contenders for George Snowball Snr's wife, Mary Robson.
Ancestry: England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538–1975 show both
Name: Mary Robson
Baptism Date: 3 March 1734
Baptism Place: Chester Le Street, Durham, England
Father: Thomas Robson
FHL Film Number: 91090

or Ancestry: England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538–1975
Name: Mary Robson
Baptism Date: 18 Jul 1731
Baptism Place: Birtley, Northumberland, England
Father: William Robson
FHL Film Number: 252549

So, I'm looking for which of these Marys is the correct mother of her sons  AND both the place and d.o.b for her hurband, George Snowball Snr, along with his date and place of death/burial.

I'm hoping this all makes better sense! Again, any help in this will be much appreciated.

Hi Jebber
Thanks for a fast response and some very useful information.
My ancestor does not appear on any baptism record for any contiguous parish to St. Mary the Virgin in Ovingham, around 1758. Northumberland Records Office have searched the Wills and Administrations at the District Probate Registry at Durham and searched the transcript of baptisms of St. Mary the Virgin, Ovingham from 1750-1765. There is no reference to him at either!
My brick wall might be closer to being broken at Chester le Street!

Thanks Mike. Much appreciated!

Many thanks!