Genealogy Chat

Help, I have my GGGGG father Robert Rutherford DOB 1813 married to a Catherine Cowans DOB 1813, they had 8 kids. I also have him married to a Christian Cowans DOB 1816 with another 3 kids. Could they poss be the same person? or did he marry both And could they be sisters I have the 1st date of marriage being 1846 tyne & wear area. Thanks for you help. Andy

You say you'have him' where do you have him, i mean what sources tell you this info? 1851 census- is he one of these?? Robert Rutherford abt 1813 Berwick Upon Tweed Brother-in-law Berwick upon Tweed Northumberland Robert Rutherford abt 1813 Lumley, Durham, England Head Gateshead Durham Robert Rutherford abt 1814 Monk Wearmouth Shore, Durham, England Head Monkwearmouth Shore Durham Robert Rutherford abt 1813 Newstead, Northumberland, England Head Newstead Northumberland

Can you say where you got this information from? It is certainly possible that he married two women with the same surname, though I believe that technically it was illegal at that time to marry your dead wife's sister, but equally one or other of the names you have could be wrong. I'm off to bed now, though, but I will have a look tomorrow. Kate.

Jess, I will have to search through all my paper work. Job for tomorrow I think, Cheers Andy

Kate, As per Jess's comments I will look through my stuff and try and find were this info came from. Andy

Found this marriage on Freebmd Ancestry: Catherine Cowans Year of Registration: 1846 Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec District: Tynemouth County: Northumberland Volume: 25 Page: 509 But none of the possible grooms is called Rutherford. This one is the closest: Robert Ford No marriages for a Chris* Cowans.

1861 Corsenside Northumberland Robert Rutherford abt 1802 Thorneyburn, Northumberland, Head Catherine Rutherford abt 1813 Falstone, Northumberland, Wife Henry Davison abt 1837 Nk, Northumberland, England Servant Agnes Rutherford abt 1849 Corsenside, Daughter William Rutherford abt 1851 Corsenside, Northumberland, Son Walter Rutherford abt 1853 Corsenside, Northumberland, Son James Rutherford abt 1856 Corsenside, Northumberland, Son Robert is a shepherd

Possible deaths Catherine Rutherford Birth Date: abt 1811 Year of Registration: 1880 Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar Age at death: 69 District: Newcastle Upon Tyne County: Northumberland Volume: 10b Page: 55 Catherine Rutherford Birth Date: abt 1813 Year of Registration: 1883 Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar Age at death: 70 District: Bellingham County: Northumberland Volume: 10b Page: 204

1871 Charlton West Northumberland Robert Rutherford abt 1802Thorneyburn, Northumberland, Head Christian Rutherford abt 1813 Falstone, Northumberland, Wife Jane J Rutherford abt 1866 Bellingham, Northumberland, Granddaughter Robt is a shepherd

Since 1861 and 1871 census mrs Rutherford is born in Falstone, either its the same woman who has changed her name and age (which happens!) or two different women, both born in the same place, which is interesting. nell

Robert's death? Robert Rutherford Birth Date: abt 1802 Year of Registration: 1867 Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun Age at death: 65 District: Glendale County: Northumberland Volume: 10b Page: 249

Although Falstone is on the IGI there are no Cowan baptisms listed. nell

1881 Otterburn Northumberland Walter Rutherford abt 1853 Bellingham, Northumberland, Head Christian Rutherford abt 1813 Falstone, Northumberland, Mother Jane Rutherford abt 1866 Bellingham, Northumberland, Niece Walter calls Christian his mother, though I suppose she could be his step-mother. I can't find a Christian or Catherine Cowans on the census before 1861. nell

Thanks for all this info so far, I will take a look at what has been entered. Cheers again Andy

Don't know if this from 1881 helps or hinders: Andrew Cowans abt 1826 Bamborough, Northumberland, England Head Bedlington Northumberland >>>> Catherine A. Cowans abt 1875 Choppington, Northumberland, England Granddaughter Bedlington Northumberland >>>> Christiana Cowans abt 1833 Scotland Wife Bedlington Northumberland >>>> Christiana Cowans abt 1879 Choppington, Northumberland, England Granddaughter Bedlington Northumberland Fan Cowans abt 1856 Embleton, Northumberland, England Daughter Bedlington Northumberland James Cowans abt 1860 Embleton, Northumberland, England Son Bedlington Northumberland Margaret Cowans abt 1869 Choppington, Northumberland, England Daughter Bedlington Northumberland Source information: RG11/5117 Registration district: Morpeth Sub registration district: Bedlington ED, institution, or vessel: 11 Folio: 15 Page: 24 (click to see others on page) GSU Number: 1342236

From my own experience I think it is quite possible that Catherine and Christian are the same person. I have a Catherine Hawkins who married William Tyler. On the 1841 census she was recorded as Caroline, and we thought he must have married again but in 1851 his wife was Catherine again and we then found her death in 1853 (as Catherine). Hope you manage to get to the bottom of it. Carolyn