What happened to Mary Ann LOWTHER/ROBSON

[lschroeder]

I am looking for advice on where to look for information on my ancestor Mary Ann Lowther. She was married to John Robson in 1844 (Parish Church of Longbenton), they lived in Monkwearmouth, Co Durham in the 1851 census (2 sons William and Joseph), then she is back living with her parents and one son (Joseph) by the 1861 census. Her parents were Joseph and Jane Lowther who lived in Longbenton, NBL in 1861 and for much of their lives. I'm guessing that her husband John Robson passed away between 1851 and 1861 and that maybe she re-married after the 1861 census. By the 1871 census I only find her son Joseph Robson still living with Mary Ann's parents in Longbenton. Then in 1881 her son Joseph Robson is living in Co Durham, in Felling, Heworth before leaving for the US in 1886.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Laura

[Michael Dixon]

Laura,

I notice that Mary Robson, nee Lowther, is recorded as a widow on Census 1861.

There are several candidates for the death registration of John Robson (in both Sunderland, which covered Monkwearmouth, and Northumberland), but as ages were not recorded on Indexes until C1866, it is difficult to accept any of these as the "right" one.

I notice that the birthplace of Joseph Robson (Mary's son) is recorded accurately on C1851 (Monkwearmouth, Co Durham), c1861 (Sunderland, Co Durham) and C1871 (Sunderland, Co Durham)... but the Joseph Robson on C1881 in Heworth, is recorded as been born in Walker, Northumberland

Although Walker lay within the bounds of the Parish of Longbenton( at the south of the parish, on the northern bank of the River Tyne),  Joseph and his grandparents lived around Benton Square, in the northern part of the parish.

Still looking for Mary, nee Lowther !.

Michael Dixon,
Blyth, Northumberland

[lschroeder]

Hi Michael,
You are correct, Joseph's birthplace is listed incorrectly in 1881. I have a certified copy of his birth record here. That is indeed his family though (wife Elizabeth, daughters Mary Jane, Caroline, Emma, and Rebecca) His birth record states:
Registration District: Sunderland
1849 Birth in the Sub-district of Monkwearmouth in the County of Durham.
No. 268
16 September 1849, Colliery, Monkwearmouth
Joseph
boy
(father) John Robson
(mother) Mary Ann Robson formerly Lowther
Occ. of father: Coal Miner
Informant: Mary Ann Robson mother Colliery Monkwearmouth
Registered 24 Sept 1849
Thanks so much for your interest and help!
Kind Regards,
Laura

[Michael Dixon]

Laura,

How you resolved all your Northumberland and Durham(England) queries ?

Michael Dixon
Newcastle, England

[lschroeder]

Hi Michael,
I have not resolved what happened to Mary Ann Lowther Robson or her husband John Robson yet. However, there has been some great breakthroughs in these lines. I've located a descendant of John Robson's brother Thomas Robson who left John's son (Thomas' nephew) Joseph Robson 50 pounds in his Will. We've determined it was likely used to finance the family's trip to the U.S. in 1886. I've also been able to confirm John and Thomas' parents John and Margaret Robson as well as some of the other sisters who came to the U.S. Being female, their surnames were not Robson by the time they arrived here.
I've also made some great connections on the Lowther lines, and found where mine fit into the larger tree. I don't have the data in front of me since I am at work but I have Joseph Lowther's line back to his grandparents and then back down some of the other lines...if that makes sense. If you'd like the information I can provide it.
I hope this answers your question. I have not been on to Rootschat in some time. Thanks for reminding me that it's here.
  Laura