Genealogy Chat

Bren As both the census images say Sunnyside, northumberland and what you've found says Sunniside, Durham I'm not too sure about that one Thank you though - it could be worth a look. Gwynneth - the timing of the marriage looks right - but would they have gone out of their local area to get married? I'll keep a note of the reference though just in case it does turn out to be the right one! Thanks for looking Barbara

This entry is on freebmd Marriages Mar 1892 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DODDS Thomas Sunderland 10a 720 Krimpen Mary Agnes Sunderland 10a 720 METCALF Mary Ann Sunderland 10a 720 Newman Simon Sunderland 10a 720

Hi Barbara, does this help, 1881 working as servant to a farmer, not married Mary A. Jackson abt 1859 Sunniside, Durham, England Servant East Denton Northumberland Alfred H. Poole abt 1858 Blaydon, Durham, England Visitor East Denton Northumberland Alice Reay abt 1827 Newburn, Northumberland, England Wife East Denton Northumberland George E. Reay abt 1859 Newburn, Northumberland, England Son East Denton Northumberland Susanna M. Reay abt 1857 Newburn, Northumberland, England Daughter East Denton Northumberland William Reay abt 1823 Gosforth, Northumberland, England Head East Denton Northumberland William W. Reay abt 1861 Newburn, Northumberland, England Son East Denton Northumberland Sunniside, Durham, England East Denton Northumberland England Black Swine Farm Domestic Servant RG11/5099 Castle Ward : Stamfordham ED, institution, or vessel: 16 Folio: 114 Page: 38 Bren

Hi Karen Thanks for that. Unfortunately I was told on my earlier query that there is a Sunnyside in Northumberland AND a Sunnyside in Durham. They don't make life easy do they? Barbara

Hi again, I just did a ranked search on Ancestry 1871 census - if you search 'Mary', born 1859, and 'Sunnyside', you get the following: Mary A Metcalf, born 1859, Sunnyside, Durham Is there a possibility that Sunnyside could have been in durham back then? Co. Durham isn't that far away May be worth a try! Karen

Thanks Karen I've just tried that - and I can't find a Mary Ann Jackson from Sunnyside on 1861 or 1871 - can't see an appropriate entry for a Mary Ann Jackson on bmd either. Looks like its the birth cert for the son then. Barbara

Hi there I would say she's been married before, I've had a look on the 1881 census and can't find a Mary Ann Jackson from Sunnyside (Corbridge is the closest). It may be that her husband had died, or maybe still married as only rich people divorced back then. You could maybe try and find her on the 1861/71 census, I didn't try these? Good luck! Karen

Thanks Jools - I had a feeling that was my only way out! I'll add them to the list for the next lot of certs I order Barbara

Jackson could have been her maiden name and Robert and Joseph were illegitimate. To be sure, you need one of these boy's BC's.

The birth certifcate gives the father as Thomas Dodds (which is right) and the mother as Mary Ann Dodds (formerly Jackson). Mary Ann was listed on the 1901 census as born abt 1859 in Sunnyside, Northumberland. I've now found Mary Ann Jackson aged 32 on the 1891 census, born Sunnyside northumberland, living with Thomas Dodds and two sons - Robert C Jackson (6) and Joseph E Jackson (4). Both these sons show on the 1901 census with the surname Dodds. Mary Ann and Thomas are both listed as being single! So I now have 3 questions. 1. Does this suggest she had been married previously? 2. Is my only way to find her maiden name to send for the birth certificate of one of the two sons living with her at the time.? And the other one - was 'living in sin' (for want of better description) common at the time? Thanks in advance for any help offered. Barbara

Thanks to help from you all on 24th May I sent for a birth certificate, which I recieved last Friday. I was looking for the mothers maiden name - but its only thrown up another problem. See below

Thanks to you all for your help. got to go off the computer for a while, but will check back later. Looks like the only to find out who Mary Ann really was is to get her son's birth certificate! I'll just have to stay my impatience for a while. Barbara