Paterson: Benwell baker

[Michael Dixon]

More "fits"

On C1891 15 yr old Carlisle-born Frances Proudfoot was a "general servant" to a farmer (probably in the household, not on the "land") in Bolton, Westmoreland.

Her details are on Page 3, of Folio 97, Piece 4326.

Two pages earlier ( i.e. Page 1, Folio 96, same Piece) was 14 yr old John Simpson, Bolton-born, ag lab, in household of his parents, Joseph, blacksmith and Grace Simpson.

And four yrs later they married ?, then he passed away ?


If John Simpson and Frances had a son, the conventions of the English Naming Pattern, would have required them to name first son after the child's father's father..
= Joseph.

The birth of a Joseph Simpson was registered within West Ward in Dec Qtr of 1895. The death of a Joseph Simpson aged 0, was registered in same quarter.

But all of blacksmith Joseph's sons would have also been required to name their first Joseph... Stop me somebody !!!!

Alex, when did Frances have her first child ?

Michael Dixon

[AlexStewart]

Michael, I do not know the answer to your question about the first child. So far I have found Albert born in Sunderland in 1911, followed by Margaret in 1913 there and George in 1914 in Gateshead. With the second marriage in 1900 there may well have been others. As to the first marriage I have only been informed about it by DS under an hour ago! Still investigating!
Alex

[AlexStewart]

Michael,
I am still wondering about Frances Proudfoot born in Carlisle and not on the 1881 census at the age of 5. I looked at the Index to the 1881 census and found only one Frances T listed asa born in Cumbria in 1881. She was the daughter of Matthew and Mary. However, in Benwell in 1901 where we know some of the statements are incorrect, Elizabeth is listed as the mother-in-law.
What do you make of Frances not appearing with William and Elizabeth at 5 years in 1881?
Alex

[Michael Dixon]

Alex,

I spent a good while looking for her on C1881, but without success.

Although the absence of her 1881 record is a "loose end", it has to be weighed against the positive bits of info on her...

e.g. her living with her mother ( or her husband's mother in law, to be specific) on C1901.

A useful strategy where say there is doubt about which of more than one candidate, is the right one, is to track, back and forward, those candidates, hopefully eliminating the wrong ones.

In the case of Elizabeth Proudfoot... C1901 says born in Benwell,c1851. OK so find this Elizabeth born in Benwell c1851, who had similar-named children also born in Benwell.  And when/if you find these, then you can reject the " born Carlisle/Penrith " scenario.

To be sure, about Frances Proudfoot, you might buy her birth cert, and two marriage certs, looking for all three certs to reveal her father's name, and one (birth) to reveal her mother's name. and to reveal she was a widow at time of second marriage., etc

Taking into account the fact that surname Proudfoot is not common, and the geographic compatabily, I personally would not buy the certs, unless the Lotto came up for me.


Michael Dixon.

[AlexStewart]

Michael,
Yes, I agree with your strategy and practise it as far as I can. I have looked at this case from many angles. For example, I have just looked for the cousin Evelyn Cowis, who appears aged 9 on the Benwell 1901 census, and found an Eveline Cowie born in Carlisle in 1891. That again supports the Carlisle view if that Cowie family can be shown to be connected.
I agree also about the buying of certificates. I would not buy three certificates particularly as they are not of my own family. I may well recommend that the Penrith marriage certificate should be bought as that should give Frances' father and his place.
Thanks for your interest.
Alex

[AlexStewart]

Michael
I looked closely at those Cowie cousins and eventually found that there was a John Cowie born in Scotland in 1863 who moved to Carlisle and lived there with his widowed mother, Bertha. In the early 1890s he married a local girl with the surname Park. Elizabeth Proudfoot was born Elizabeth Park. Evelyn or Eveline Cowie on the 1901 Benwell census was born in Carlisle in 1892. Bertha was the other cousin. If you are still with me please check that and let me know if that establishes a definite Carlisle base for Frances and clinches the matter!
Thanks again,
Alex

[Michael Dixon]

Alex,

I previously looked for and found the Scotland-born Cowies and Elizabeth Proudfoot's Park nee name.

Yes, I am more than happy to accept that the Benwell-born gang were really Cumbrians... and your acceptance of this , of course is more important than mine.

What I didn't mention before was that the Surname Profiler web site, shows the name Proudfoot to be rooted in Scotland, mainly Moffat and Dumfries, and Cumberland, with no "footprint" at all in Northumberland.

Michael Dixon