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Archiver > DUR-NBL > 1998-12 > 0913401911


From: Geoff Nicholson <>
Subject: Re: New Subscriber
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 18:45:11 +0000


In message <>,
Heather Punshon <> writes
>Scenario
>On 18 Aug 1850 John Punshon married Ann Simpson at Gateshead, St Mary.
>John gave his father's name as John Punshon, shoemaker, but there the
>traces disappear.
>
1. On the 1851 census John and Ann have child Sarah, and are living
with Ann's mother Isabella Watson, widow, in Gateshead. John's place of
birth is given as Gateshead, age 24.
2. On the 1881 census, John's age is given as 54, born Gateshead.
3. Baptism at Gateshead Fell, December 15th 1826. John Punshon, child
of - and Isabella Punshon. I am given to understand that on the
original record there is a blot where the father's name should appear.
4. witness at the 1850 wedding is George Punshon.
5. George Punshon, age 41 on the 1851 census of Gateshead gives his
birthplace as Wylam.
>
>Any suggestions of where to look next? (without employing the services of a
>professional genealogist!)
>
Heather:

Most likely John's father was, as stated at his marriage, John.
You say the name is not legible on the parish register. Have you
looked at the original? I know they are understandably very reuctant
to pruduce originals in Durham Record Office but if you ask nicely they
can sometimes be persuaded to look themselves and then tell you what the
reading is. Failing that, the BTs should give you a "second opinion".

Assuming you are sure of the father having been John Punshon and
the mother having been Isabella, you could perhaps be advised to look at
either or both of (a) the DUR and NBL IGIs for a marriage before 1812
(George born c1810) or (b) the NDFHS marriage indexes to DUR and to NBL,
1813/37. However, I have looked at all four of those sources myself
and there is no John Punshon/Isabella marriage to be found. one
therefore has to wonder whether this couple were perhaps married out of
either county - ie in Scotland or in a Border Marriage House.

Assuming John Sr was still described as a shoemaker at John Jr's
baptism, there seems little point in looking for him in the published
(NRO microfiche) list of Wylam Pitmens' Bonds, but I have done so
anyway. There were various Wylam pitmen named Punshon/Puncheon, with
outside dates 1806-1816, but none were named John, so that line of
attack is probably irrelevant.

Wylam was in the Northumberland parish of Ovingham, the baptisms
of which are on the IGI, but there is none for your George c1809/10.
Are you sure of the reading "Wylam"? - or is there any suspicion that
perhaps the family were not C of E at that time? It might be
worthwhile looking for George in the register of, say, Horsley
independant Church. There again, if they could have been Roman
Catholics then perhaps he is the George, son of Gulielmi (William)
Punshon and Isabelle Edmund baptised at Stella RC church in the parish
of Ryton, Co Durham (dedication: St Mary and St Thomas Aquinas). Could
that link to your Ryton connections?

As a professional genealogist I won't comment on your last
remark!

Best wishes,

Geoff Nicholson

Geoff Nicholson, 57 Manor Park, Concord, WASHINGTON, Tyne & Wear NE37 2BU
* The Professional Family Historian for Northumberland and Co Durham.
* "Native Guide" Service - your very own personal genealogical tour guide
* "Off-the-shelf" pedigree service, etc etc. ** AGRA Member **
* More details on my Homepage: http://www.genic.demon.co.uk/index.html
UK Phone: (0191) 417 9546 E-mail:

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