Illegitimate Birth

[julies198]

I am really struggling where to start with my research.

William Armstrong was born to Catherine Armstrong. I know that’s his birth and at some point he adopted the name Dixon and become Armstrong Dixon. He had said he had nothing to do with his family or didn’t know them - not sure which. We know he ended up living in Northumberland and did not have a Scottish accent.

I have found his birth but I can’t find anything about his mother.

Any tips on where I could start would be greatly appreciated. I have looked at the 71 census but can’t find any Catherine Armstrong living with a William Armstrong.

Thank you

[julies198]

This is the birth entry I have.

[GR2]

The minutes of Canonbie Kirk Session are available for this period on ScotlandsPeople, but I can see no reference to Catherine Armstrong.

[Neale1961]

Informant at William's birth looks like Ann Armstrong - Aunt.
Have you thought about the possibility of following Aunt Ann Armstrong?

I wonder if anyone can read the address in Canonbie of that birth. ??

[mckha489]

Is this post of yours related?
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=881174.msg7537037#msg7537037

[mckha489]

Informant at William's birth looks like Ann Armstrong- Aunt. Have you thought about the possibility of following that line?

I wonder if anyone can read the address in Canobie of that birth. ??

Transcription done here

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=881081.msg7535852#msg7535852

Gilnockie Tower
Parish of
Canonbie

[bbart]

Do you know if Catherine raised son William?

Seeing your other post mentions a Dixon marriage that must have been important to him, there is this possibility:

Catherine Armstrong , father William Armstrong, married William Ridley Dixon, in Cumberland, 1868.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NXVT-ZV9

In 1881, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, there is a Catherine Dixon, father William Armstrong, marrying George Andres Watson.  He is listed as age 33, and she at 30.   In 1911, this couple has a boarder, John Armstrong, which might be her brother.

The occupation for George A Watson is a crane operator in a factory.... maybe they made masts there, which would fit your other post?

I haven't put much time into digging into these people;  just noting that they are a possibility.

Edit:  The William Armstrong in Cumberland, which I think is the father here, has a daughter, Catherine Dixon, living with him in 1871. No sign of son William though.  (I think Ann is his second wife, too)

[Neale1961]

    This will be your William ………
1871 census Bellbank Cumberland
William Armstrong 72 Farmer Born Lanercost Cumberland
Mary Armstrong 59 wife born Denton Northumberland
William Dixon 6 grandson born Scotland
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V51G-G2X


In 1851 the same William Armstrong family with daughters Ann (5) and Catherine (2)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SG2H-VJ7


1871 census Bellbank Cumberland
Catherine Dixon 21 born Lanercost is a servant in the house of Ann Murray 72
cannot see if it says she is a widow.


There is a marriage for a Catherine Armstrong to a William Ridley Dixon on 22 Sept 1866 in Carlisle. Then a death for William Ridley Dixon in march 1869 (ships steward)


In 1891 Gateshead Durham
Thomas Mitchelson 53 born Walton CUmberland
Ann Mitchelson 45 born Abbey Lanercost Cumberland (I think this is Aunt Ann nee Armstrong who witnessed William’s birth.)
William Dixon, nephew, 26, born Scotland, Provision dealers assistant
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WJHN-T6Z

[mckha489]

I’ve been looking at that too. (Bbarts post)
Because the marriage cert surname does seem to end -tson
And I thought the first name ended -rew, so I had thought Andrew. Andres = Andrew?

Also, the husbands father’s name starts with an H, and transcript says George’s father is Henry

Added to say
In 1881 George A Watson age 33 son of Henry is a Block & Mast Maker