Look up please

[MJF]

Yes it does but, following census records range from Beetham, Beatholm, Betham?? Trancription error I think.

[osprey]

possibly enumerator error on the census. If you check the return for the 1881 census, nearly all the places of birth for the family are given as Yorkshire
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27R-4LSH

Matterdale was in Cumberland, Longtown Cumberland, Troutbeck Bridge Westmorland, Skelwith Lancashire & Littledale in Lancashire. So I wouldn't put too much trust in that census return.

Do you have the marriage cert for William & Sarah to confirm names of their fathers and occupations?

[MJF]

The only marriage details I have is, 5 Jul 1846 • Old Wesleyan Chapel, Ambleside, Cumbria
Marriage Event Date: 1846 Event Place: Kendal, Westmorland, England Name: William Birkett Volume: 26 Affiliate Line Number: 11 Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep Registration Year: 1846 Possible Spouse: Sarah Bradley

[MJF]

I was hoping that someone may have the parish register for Bentham to check for his Baptism?

[MJF]

It is all very confusing!

[MJF]

First Son born named James Bradley Birkett so maybe Williams Father was James? Second child, William, Third Hannah, Forth John Thomas, fifth, Sarah Ann, sixth, David. All the names ring true to parents connections etc apart from David??

[osprey]

so you've dismissed the baptism of William 20 June 1824 in Beetham son of William & Hannah?

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NB88-2G7

You can get a copy of the marriage cert from the GRO
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/login.asp

William Birkett sept qtr 1846 Kendal vol 25 pg 469

There's a possible birth earlier than that of James
John Birkett dec qtr 1846 West Ward vol 25 pg 493 mmn Bradley
Baptism 7 Feb 1847 in Martindale John son of William & Sarah Birkett
Death reg John Birkett 2 march qtr 1849 Kendal vol 25 pg 361

[MJF]

Hi, No nothing is dismissed yet. I'm just trying to figure it all out! Just made me think, children were usually named after parents etc so why was the first one named James? The Bradley bit is most likely after the Mothers maiden name, Sarah Bradley. Thanks

[osprey]

Have you read my reply showing that there was possibly a son John born before James?