RootsChat.Com

I am really needing some help, my mind is addled and I have hit a big brick wall.  I agreed to help my daughter-in-law to do some research on her father's family of which she has only limited knowledge.
I am currently trying to find information on her father's sister ELLEN FINLAY born Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, England in 1911.  The only information my daughter-in-law has that in 1934 ELLEN married EDWARD SMURTHWAITE born in 1912 (birthplace unknown) at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and in 1935 they had a son JOHN EDWIN SMURTHWAITE.  In 1939 the family appear on the Census in Newcastle.  My daughter-in-law is certain she remembers her Aunt emigrating to Australia when she was a child, she was born 1965.  I have checked passenger lists but the only thing I have come up with is a record for JOHN EDWIN SMURTHWAITE going to America and then ending up in Australia.  No evidence of a death in England for Ellen, but there is info available for an ELLEN
SMURTHWAITE who is buried in Hindmarsh Cemetery in South Australia.  Furthermore I have checked for EDWARD SMURTHWAITE in Australia but drawn a blank there also.  On checking deaths for him in England find that his death is registered in 1991 and took place at Tynemouth, Northumberland.  This has got me going around in circles now and hope other eyes might get me on the right track again.


Would be most appreciative of any help I can get.

Many thanks,

Doric

Hello Rootschatters,

I wonder if someone can point me in the right direction please, at the moment I feel as though I am swimming against the tide in trying to find anything out about my gt.grandfather.  William Johnson was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire c.1836. He married Caroline Hall born c1840 at Kirkwhelpington, Northumberland on 12 May, 1863.  In 1871 William and Caroline with family appear on the Census for Rosedale, Yorkshire,  However, by 1881 I find the family with two additional children  on the Scottish Census for Craig in Angus living at 3 Usan Rd. Craig Forfarshire. William is not at home and Caroline is shown as Head of the family. My grandmother Ann is only two months old so where is William?  I have tried to find a death for him prior to my grandmother's birth but without success and not sure what happens to the family after that, but in 1891 they are back in England living in Hawthorn Cresc. Southwick, Sunderland and Caroline is shown as widowed.  To add to the confusion a member of another site has sent me information of 1881 Census Return showing Caroline and family living with a George Baxter a good few years her senior stating George as Head and Caroline as wife and her family including my grandmother Ann with their status being recorded as sons/daughters, although they all recorded as Johnson.  Now it begs the question was my grandmother and her elder sister born to Caroline and William or Caroline and George Baxter?  I really don't know where to go now to try and sort this out.  Any help or advice would be most appreciated.

Dorothy

I have just found out that a member of our family was adopted.  Only found this out when checking 1901 census where he was listed with his correct name with adopted added.  Anyone able to tell me how I can find out more about him.

Many thanks

Doric

 Seeking members of the Oxford family who resided in  Edinburgh in the 1950's please