Genealogy Chat

Hello folks, I've made some good progress since joining the site, mostly due to the help I received from one person in particular from this board (thanks Gillian!). But, there is one elusive person who is driving me insane! If anyone can shove me in the right direction here I'd be most grateful. If anyone had any information I'd be over the moon! Anyway, the person is James BIRKETT. The info I have gathered so far is that he was born c1859 in Braintree, Essex (possibly). In 1881 he married Margaret TURNER in Newcastle upon Tyne. He lived in Newcastle upon Tyne from this point and died in the area 4th May 1921. The 1901 Census shows him living with Margaret in Newcastle upon Tyne at Scotwoods Road. States born in Braintree Essex. The 1891 Census shows him also living in the area with his wife and children. States born in Braintree Essex. The 1881 Census was a slightly odd one. The only close match I could get was also in Newcastle but living as a Boarder with the HALE family. This though showed him as being born in Woolwich. Nothing in the 1871 or 1861 Census. His marriage certificate did give his fathers name which was Thomas BIRKETT (deceased). I can add the full contents of the census when Im back at home if it would help. Finally, on speaking to someone who had access to the burial records, he stated there was no entry for James BIRKETT in 1921 at all. Nor could he see one for his birth. Many thanks, Darrel

I wouldn't worry too much about the two different places of birth, if you think that otherwise it is the same person. I have had this problem too. It was quite common for a young mother to go back to her parents' home to give birth, so he may have been born in their home town but the family lived elsewhere.

Death registration? James Birkett 1921 Q2 Newcastle upon Tyne 10b 35 aged 62. Merry

hiya, ths looks like the chap!!! 1881 occupation Brick maker, addy 888 scotswood rd, >>>> James Birket abt 1859 Woolwich Boarder Elswick Northumberland View Record Edward Hale abt 1807 Byker, Northumberland, England Head Elswick Northumberland View Record Esther Hale abt 1810 Howdon Wife Elswick Northumberland .............................................................................................. Name: James Birket Age: 22 Estimated birth year: abt 1859 Relation: Boarder Household: View other family members Family and neighbors: View neighbors Gender: Male Where Born: Woolwich Civil parish: Elswick County/Island: Northumberland Country: England Street address: 888 Scotswood Rd Education: Employment status: View image Occupation: Brick Maker Source information: RG11/5055 Registration district: Newcastle Upon Tyne Sub registration district: Westgate ED, institution, or vessel: 38 Folio: 84 Page: 39 (click to see others on page) GSU Number: 1342219 View Original Record View original image Julie

Hi, Thanks for the prompt reply! I have the 1881 census data as you show, so yes that sure is him. But thats as far back as I can find him. *pooof* and he disappears. Nothing in 1871 or 1861 and no sign of his birth. I've also got the death details but sadly didnt give any extra details. What Im also doing is looking for the burial record. I was hoping that if I could find this, and better yet a headstone, I may be able to get further info from it. Thanks, Darrel

Have you contacted the cemetery people in Newcastle (local council).....they should be able to check if he was buried in a Municipal Cemetery. Not so many had a church burial by 1921! Merry

hiya, again, did it mention ANY occupation of Thomas on marr cert? and who were witness's please, trying to see if i can find him on any census Julie

Hi, Ive just today sent them an enquiry at the local archives to see if they have the record of his burial. Im hoping if so, this may give additional details to what I have. If not, then at least Ive ruled it out. Funny, my father always said he bought me from a joke shop. While I proved this not to be true, I'm starting to wonder about James here.... Edit: Hi Julie, The only mention of Thomas was that he was deceased at the time (1881). I'll check when I get home about the witnesses thanks (about an hour).

Ok, so the marriage cert gives the following info: 4th June 1881 James BIRKETT (though looks like BIRKEN) 21 Years Bachelor Labourer Boundry street, Newcastle Father Thomas BIRKETT deceased (Labourer) Margaret TURNER 17 Years Spinster 24 Newcastle Street, Newcastle Father Thomas Turner (Labourer) Married in St Michaels Catholic Church Witnesses Michael Morgan & Mary Cairns (not sure about Mary's surname).

As an update, I had a reply today from the Braintree Registrar and they could find no trace. Im starting to wonder if he did infact come from Braintree. But if not, why was it on two of the census returns.

hiya, I have my grandfather, on various censi, he gives his place of birth, as 1, lount, 2, newbold, 3, leicester, now granted, all of above places ARE in leicestershire, on his marriage cert, his father is given as thomas, but on his birth cert, it is edward, and i couldnt find ANY census return, with thomas as father, i did find census with edward as father, and his birth in staunton harold, (which is village next to lount). the moral of this story, you cant always believe, what is written down, on census, i would try and find a census with thomas as father, and son james born 1860 in woolwich on 61 census, at least that way you can rule that one out, i know its not much to go on, but atm is all you have, sorry to point out the obvious Julie

Sometimes people don't know where they are born, but just where they grew up. Alternatively, the enumerator might have got the information from someone else in the household who thought they knew.

Found this tantalising entry in 1871: Braintree Essex Sarah A Birkman abt 1840 Herefordshire, Wife Thomas Birkman abt 1844 Bridgnorth, Shropshire, Head

Well, thanks for your input everyone, its much appreciated. I'm starting to doubt some of the info on the census data. Running in circles at the minute. Think Ill focus on the burial for now to see if I can find that and see if that sheds any light on things.