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Hi!

I wondered if anyone could help work out how these families are connected?

James JOHNSTON (1819) was married to Isabella HUNTER (1833) and they are recorded on a number of census returns and baptismal records as living in Birsay, Orkney. James was recorded as a Seaman in the 1861 census and a farmer in the 1871 census return.

They had a number of children:

Anne - 1857
George - 1859
Christina - 1862
Robert - 1864
Isabella Hoursten - 1867
Mary - 1870

In 1881, Isabella H is in London:

William FOLSTER (1833) - Mariner
J FOLSTER (1823) - Wife
Isabella JOHNSTON (1868) - Vistor

The FOLSTERs are also from Orkney.

She is recorded in Birsay in the 1891 census as:

Isabella MOAR (1830) - Head - Farmer
Lizzie MOAR (1871) - Daughter
Peter GORRIE (1846) - Brother - Blacksmith (out of work)
Isabella JOHNSTON (1868) - Niece

And again in Birsay in the 1901 census as:

Elizabeth MOAR (1871) - Head - Farmer
Isabella JOHNSTON (1868) - Cousin

I am trying to figure out how the JOHNSTONS came to be linked with the MOAR/GORRIEs.

I have found Isabella MOAR (nee GORRIE) in earlier census returns, with her brother Peter GORRIE and family and think I have found a marriage to Thomas MOAR (26/02/1869), but I cannot fathom the link with the JOHNSTONs.

Can any kind soul shed any light?

Thank you so much in advance,

TreeGirl

Hi -

My 2xggrandfather (Thomas SMITH JOHNSON) and my 3xggrandfather (Matthew JOHNSON) lived with their families in Cross Guns Yard, Newark in the mid 1800s.

It appears that my 3x ggrandfather and my 2xggrandfather did not have the best relationship to say the least.

I have found a newspaper article from September 1867 where the two are up agains each other in court for an altercation. The article states:

"The Mayor said it was a very disreputable case... and cautioned parties for the future, as the superintendent would watch the neighbourhood....It appeared that the agent of the houses where the parties resided determined that one of them shall leave"

By the time the 1871 census was taken, Thomas and his family had moved to Derby and were recorded as Thomas S. Johnson (and likewise for his wife Maria and three daughters)
By 1881, the family were in Leicester (with another daughter and son) and just recorded as SMITH.

The change of name had always been a mystery in our family, but this bad blood appears to shed some light on that!

I was wondering if anyone could direct me to whether Thomas and family were instructed to go (as per the 1867 article) or not? I am hoping they made the proactive choice to get away, rather than being made to leave!

Many thanks in advance

TreeGirl:-)

Hi -

I have - frustratingly - misplaced my Welford Road burial CD!'

I was wondering if anyone could look up the burial of Florence MACDONALD (or McDonald) in 1873? She would have been 1 or under.

If you could let me know any details, including the names of any others in the plot, that would be very much appreciated!

Now, to hunt for that CD a bit more!

Many thanks, in advance,

TreeGirl:-)

Hi -

I was wondering if anyone could look up John and Emma BECKETT in the 1901 census? I have only got partial notes in my research and wanted to fill in the gaps.

John was born around 1865 and Emma around 1860. They were both born in Newark as far as I know. (Emma definitely was) John was a builder/bricklayer by trade. I think by 1901 they were living in Aston, possibly with some of their children.

Any help gratefully received.

Many thanks in advance.

TreeGirl

Hi -

I am revisiting my Matthew JOHNSON brick wall and was hoping that some kind person could help me!

My 3xg grandfather was called Matthew JOHNSON and was born around 1820 in Newark. He married my 3xg grandmother, Elizabeth SMITH, in 1840 after the birth of my 2xg grandfather, Thomas, earlier that year. They lived in Cross Gun's Yard near Elizabeth's parents.

On their marriage certificate it names Matthew's father as George JOHNSON, labourer, but the only JOHNSON alive at that time who is around the right age and a labourer, is called Matthew as well. There is a George, but he is a farrier....

Could anyone please look up Matthew JOHNSON, born around 1785 in Newark, in the 1841/51/61 census for me? He may have been born a little later - I'm a bit hazy on his details 

I think his wife was called Mary or May and they had a son called William. However, this may be a second marriage as I have a note that William is William HALL not JOHNSON.

I think there is some link with Farndon as well as Newark as some of Matthew and Elizabeth's children are buried there.

Any help gratefully received!

TreeGirl