Shotley, Northumberland

[AllanUK]

Hello,
An ancestor was baptised in 1842 at St Cuthbert's Church, Shotley (then in the county of Northumberland). In the 1851 and 1861 Census returns, her birth place is recorded as Shotley, Northumberland. However, in subsequent Census returns, she shows her birthplace as Baxter's Bar, Northumberland. Does anyone know of Baxter's Bar in the Shotley (Bridge) area?


AllanUK

[JenB]

Hello,
An ancestor was baptised in 1842 at St Cuthbert's Church, Shotley (then in the county of Northumberland).

Are you sure about the church and parish? The reason I ask is that Shotley has always been a parish in Northumberland, and the parish church was St Andrew, then St John https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/NBL/

Nearby is Shotley Bridge, which has always been in County Durham.

[stanmapstone]

Is this Isabella Wood [Isabella Davison] ? RG11; Piece: 4944; Folio: 117; Page: 54

Stan

[AllanUK]

Hi both,

1. Sorry, church should have read St Andrew's
2. Yes, my ancestor is Isabella Wood (nee Davison)

Allan

[JenB]

However, in subsequent Census returns, she shows her birthplace as Baxter's Bar, Northumberland.

The closest I can think of is Baxton Burn, but this was in Benfieldside, County Durham ( not very far from Shotley).

[stanmapstone]

It is Backstone Burn on the O.S. map.
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=54.8638&lon=-1.8596&layers=168&b=1
Stan

[AllanUK]

Hi all,
I believe that Stan has come up with the answer. The 1851 Census records that Isabella and her parents were living at Cutlers' Hall with her father working as a mason. Opposite Cutlers' Hall (and running almost parallel to Cutlers' Hall Road) is Backstone Burn. We all know what sort of mistakes were made when a census was taken, enumerators writing down what they think the individual has said.

Thanks to all who responded.

Allan

[JenB]

However, in subsequent Census returns, she shows her birthplace as Baxter's Bar, Northumberland.

The closest I can think of is Baxton Burn, but this was in Benfieldside, County Durham ( not very far from Shotley).

It is Backstone Burn on the O.S. map.
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=54.8638&lon=-1.8596&layers=168&b=1
Stan

I was thinking of when my ancestors lived there in the 1861 census: it was called Baxton Burn 

I also found it recorded as Baxton Burn Road in some burial records of Blackhill Cemetery.

[AllanUK]

Thanks Jen.
Allan