Genealogy Chat

Henry HENDERSON married in Co. Durham in May 1895 and his age is given as 22 years so his year of birth could be 1872/73. His Father was given as Thomas Henderson (deceased) and one of the witnesses was James Henderson, possibly a brother? In the 1901 census, his place of birth is Evenwood, Co. Durham. I can find 2 births during 1872/73 but they are in Gateshead and Chester-le-Street, whereas Evenwood is in the Auckland area. There are dozens of Henry Hendersons in the 1881/1891 censuses but none of them has Evenwood as a place of birth nor both father Thomas and brother James. Does anyone have any idea how I might be able to pin this ***** down? Any (polite) suggestions welcomed. Cliff

Chester-le-Street is in Durham.

Is this him in 1901 ? Name: Henry Henderson Age: 27 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1874 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Ellen Gender: Male Where born: Evenwood, Durham, England Civil Parish: Newfield Ecclesiastical parish: Byers Green St Peter Town: Newfield County/Island: Durham Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Education: Employment status: View Image Registration district: Auckland Sub-registration district: Bishop Auckland ED, institution, or vessel: 49 Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 115 Household Members: Name Age Ellen Henderson 25 Henry Henderson 27 William Robinson Henderson 5

Looks like Merrington comes under the same registration district. (1891) Henry Henderson Age: 16 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1875 Relation: Son Father's name: Thomas Mother's name: Margaret Gender: Male Where born: Merrington, Durham, England Civil Parish: Merrington Ecclesiastical parish: Merrington Town: Merrington County/Island: Durham Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Education: Employment status: View Image Registration district: Auckland Sub-registration district: Bishop Auckland ED, institution, or vessel: 32 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Edward Henderson 22 Henry Henderson 16 Jane H Henderson 26 Jane H Henderson 7/12 John J Henderson 18 Margaret Henderson 58 Thomas Henderson 56

1881: Henry Henderson Age: 6 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1875 Relation: Son Father's name: Thomas Mother's name: Margaret Gender: Male Where born: Merrington, Durham, England Civil Parish: Merrington County/Island: Durham Country: England Street address: Merrington Village Education: Employment status: View Image Occupation: Scholar Registration district: Auckland Sub-registration district: Bishop Auckland ED, institution, or vessel: 34 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Edward Henderson 12 George Henderson 22 Henry Henderson 6 Jane Hannah Henderson 16 John Thomas Henderson 9 Margaret Henderson 49 Thomas Henderson 47 William Henderson 20

A birth: Name: Henry Henderson Year of Registration: 1874 Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep District: Auckland County: Durham Volume: 10a Page: 251 (click to see others on page)

Hiya Jitterbug Thanks for all the info. I did find the Merrington one, traced several generations but someone has now told me that I have followed a wrong line as they have proof of his Father being married to someone else. If it is the same one I wonder why the age is wrong on the MC and why he chose to start telling the census taker that he was born in Evenwood instead of Merrington? BUT well done on finding the birth index. Don't know how you managed that as I have been through several times and it has never come up for me. Must be my magnetic personality !!! Shall send for the BC and, hopefully, get at least an address and possibly Mother's maiden name, which should solve the marriage business Thank you so much

It is another question but I am wondering if a man under 21 still needed parental permission to marry in 1895? Wouldn't have thought so but could it be a reason for giving a false age?

I think the marriage act of 1753, apart from the whole church and banns business, did include parental concent - however a whole bunch of the marriage certs I have lay testimony that this was ignored when it suited. Trust you confirmed for yourself that the line you were following was in fact a false one, and didn't abandon it on 'say so' evidence.

I haven't thrown away away info yet - am trying to confirm it all for myself. Have realised that,if the census ages are correct, then the bride would have been under 21. Wondering if they both bumped up their age by a year.

Have you found a baptism ? I will quickly look at the BIVRI for you.

Only Hendersons on there are from Aycliff, Durham and none are a Henry - sorry. Coverage for Durham is pretty sparce I'm afraid.

I think I've tried every possible avenue. Next step will be waiting for that birth cert and see what light, if any, it sheds on the matter. Could be a bit of family scandal here or a romantic Romeo and Juliet situation - mind you, they didn't run away very far did they ! Their first child was registered in the first 1/4 of the following year so I suppose it could just have been a rush-job. Many thanks for your efforts Cliff