Hi all, new to the site after a recommendation from a gentleman that may be a relative.
I am trying to locate a birth place or parents for a James Gilbanks allegedly born in the Cumberland area. The 1851 Census suggests he was born 1816. However future Census' and death certificate suggest he was born abt 1804.
the information I have on him is the following (listed as per documents with any relevant people);
1851 Census;
Penrith Workhouse
William Gilbanks age:12
James Gilbanks Agricultural labourer age: 35 born in Threlkeld Cumberland (married)
Hannah Gilbanks Agricultural labourer age:29 born in Roxburgh Scotland (married)
Benjamin Gilbanks age: 9 mnths Born in Penrith Cumberland
I believe William is a close relative to James, im unsure if the age is correct for him
In these two Census (1861 & 1871) the Surname shows as Killbanks, i believe that Hannah/Ann may have given the information for this Census and the possibility of her Scottish accent is what caused the taker to mistaken the Surname.
1861 Census;
Newcastle Upon Tyne
James Killbanks Position: Head Linen Bleacher Age:45 Born in Matterdale Cumberland
Ann Position: wife (unable to read profession) Age: 38 Born in Scotland
Benjamin Position: Son Scholar Age:10 Born in Penrith Cumberland
Although I can read Benjamin as being born in Penrith I think some websites pick it up as a different location, Likewise with James' place of birth as some sites pick it up as Patterdale
1871 Census;
Newcastle Upon Tyne
James Killbanks Position: Head Labourer Age:54 Born in Penrith Cumberland
Ann Position: wife Age: 46 Born in Scotland
Benjamin Position: Son Tailor Age:20 Born in Penrith Cumberland
Benjamin then married in 1877 in Camden To a Mary Ann Jobling who was from Newcastle.
The 1881 Census is in Westminster;
James Listed as John age: 77 Former Linen Bleacher Born in Scotland
Ann age:60 No profession Born in Scotland
Benjamin age: 31 Journeyman Tailor Born in Newcastle
Mary (Wife) age:25 Born in Newcastle (I was unable to read her profession)
Benjamin was Head on the 1881 Census, so I wonder if he provided the information and had no clue on where himself or his father was born? Also im not sure why James is listed as John but I did also try search for John with no joy
Other Census' I have afterwards make sense, James passed away 1886 and Ann 1893.
James' wife Hannah Gilbanks (born Reid) appears to have shortened her name to Ann after 1851. This combined with the incorrect surname of Killbanks provided a little challenging. On Benjamin's Birth certificate his mother is listed as Hannah Gilbanks (Formerly Reid) and father James Gilbanks occupation as Husbandman, residence Burrowgate Penrith.
I am aware of many Gilbanks/ Gillbanks in the Cumberland area, however i have not been able to locate James on a 1841 Census, nor have i been able to find a birth for him (the varying ages do not do me justice here either). I also tried searching for William but not knowing if the age is correct and with no other information, this was unsuccessful as there is many William Gilbanks in the Cumberland area. The same goes for John Gilbanks, this was also a very common name in the Cumberland area and given that the name changes on the same Census that ages and places of birth are different I am unsure if this is credible.
Can anyone shed any light on the subject? I do apologise if the way I have formatted this Post is not the same way as you guys commonly format yours, I have written all this out as all the Census' I have are scanned.
Also as there is varying information I felt it was important to list any notes I had made on that particular Census.
I am well aware of a Gillbanks expert on this Forum, We believe our families to be linked, however finding a link is a very different situation. I am also unable to visit any archives that are not online as I am based south of London and I do not know anyone in the area.
Thank you in advance for any help or advice given I appreciate you taking the time to read my long post
