Will the real Mary Simpson please stand up *Complete*

[okrobie]

Hello all, I have a bit of a dilemma. I have traced the parents of Mary Simpson and found two Mary Simpson's born in the same parish and within a few weeks of one another.

Baptisms, Auckland District
Record Number: 782262.0
Location: Escomb
Church: St. John
Denomination: Anglican
15 Feb 1807 Mary Simpson, of Belts Gill, Etherley Lane, born 3 Feb, 1st illegitimate daughter of Margaret Simpson (single woman)

Baptisms, Auckland District
Record Number: 782264.0
Location: Escomb
Church: St. John
Denomination: Anglican
17 May 1807 Mary Simpson, of Etherley Lane, born 1 May, 1st daughter of Richard Simpson (pitman, native of St.Andrew Aukland) by his wife Elizabeth Hope (native of Escomb)

How do I figure out which is the one I am looking for?

The real one was married to Ralph Young in 14 May 1831  St. Helen-​Auckland,​ Durham,​ England

Thanks for any suggestions 

[Wiggy]

 few suggestions

- maybe work forward to the 1841 census and find them there  - they will be about 34 give or take, given the way the enumerators rounded ages in that census.

- see what family they have with them, what occupation the husband is following?

 what names are repeating down the family? .

maybe follow both and see who they marry and what surnames appear later in the family.

Did they leave the country to go to US ?- (I notice you are in the US.)  If so , when - can you trace them that way.?

Look for deaths - see if both of them lived or only one - might clear the path a little.

You may have to follow both Marys for a while to see which turns out to be yours.

Hope this might help a bit.  I'm not the most experienced searcher, so  . . . .   

Wiggy     

[Wiggy]

Just had another thought

- if you have the marriage certificate, the witness names might be other family members and may throw some light on the subject!    When I was in a similar position it was the names of witnesses at the marriage which really sorted the person out!

Wiggy   

[okrobie]

Thanks Wiggy, your suggestion raises another dilemma.  I have now noticed that there are two Mary Simpson's that married a Ralph Young at the same parish and within a month of each other. This further complicates the search.  

[Wiggy]

I wonder could they are the same person registered separately - once for the church and once for Bishops records - or something like that? 

 Either that or it is a case of too many people all calling their children after grandparents and doubling up on names - which happens doesn't it. 
(We have a plethora of John Gaunts in our family - and also two Johns marrying Hannah wiithin a very short time only about ten miles apart- but different surnames and parishes.)

'Fraid you need someone with access to the parish records.   Hmmm.

I'll see what I can find but as I said, I'm not too brilliant so don't hold your breath.

Wiggy   

[Wiggy]

Where are you getting your info from Okrobie.

I have found Mary born 27 Jul 1807 to Robert and Elisabeth - no mother's maiden name given.  there are several others - but none to a single Mary Simpson.  These are parish records from FindMyPast.  registered at Darlington.

Can't find either of the ones you mention!   

The other closest is Mary born to Jacob and Ann4 April 1809 - also Darlington registration.

Looking further

[Wiggy]

OK been searching on Family Search and found the two baptisms you are talking about , (and both extracted entries - from the parish records)

found two 1831 marriages for Mary Simpson from FindMyPast - one to Ralph Young 14th May ,   and to Charles Story  12 Dec 1831.  Both these from parish records.   Can't find your other one only a month different.     



Have now found Margaret mother of Mary in February. Can't see any other children in that family.   

Another child for Richard and Elizabeth are Hannah - did you find that?  Is that a family name maybe?

Hope some of this helps a little.

Wiggy

[Wiggy]

1841 census   HO107 Piece 307  Folio 14/7,  Page 8

Ralph Young  30     Coalminer
Mary Young   30
William           9
Elizabeth        7
Barbara         5
W'm Hope    30    Coalminer


This looks like it could be your family - and suggests that Elizabeth could be the mother of Mary - and was William her, Elizabeth's, twin brother I wonder??   
   
The ages are a bit out but as people have told me often, the enumerators for the 1841 census rounded ages up or down five years.     I don't know if this is correct  but I do hope so.  Don't want to lead you up a wrong path.

I can't find Ralph marrying Mary twice - I did turn up two Ralph Youngs marrying in 1831 - but one of them married a Jane I think.

Wiggy       

[Wiggy]

a quick look at the 1851 census and I can't find them - might they have emigrated by then maybe?