Genealogy Chat

I have been trying to resolve a mystery about my G-G-Grandmother. I now know that she was born MARY TOOGOOD, in 1844 and her birth place and where she lived all her life was South Shields, Durham. I cannot find a birth registeration for Mary anywhere (to obtain her birth certificate). I dearly wish to find her parents and all of her siblings, I believe that I have stumbled across two brothers of her's on the Census 1881 (also born in South Shields, Durham)...........is there any kind hearted sole that has access to the Census 1841 & 1851, to find out this infomation?? My next 'brickwall' about Mary is.......it looks as if she never married but took 2 different surnames, when bearing children of 2 different partners?? It's believed that her first son was WILLIAM SEWELL (born in 1862, in Durham area too), I cannot find a marriage or the fathers full name (of William, Mary also had another son by Mr Sewell, called John Sewell, born 1866 but John changed his surname to McLeod by deed poll in 1881). Mr Sewell disappears, in 1869 she has another son called Alexander (who died aged 3 days old) by JOHN McLEOD (born in 1844, Scotland). With John McLeod, she went onto having 7 more children. I cannot find a marriage for this couple either and in the Census 1881, she's classed as married but John doesn't seemed to have lived with her on a permant basis?? I have searched in vain for John, believing that he may have been a Seaman......No Luck. Is anyone able to search the Census 1861, if Mary was living with the Mr Sewell (it will be in South Shields, Durham - she never left the area). Then the Census 1871, if John McLeod was living with her. I will appreciate any help or advice because my forehead is full of dents, through bashing it against this brickwall that I'm facing?!? THANK YOU and Happy Hunting to you's ALL. Regards, Dawn.

Sorry I can't help you Dawn, but I will follow this thread with interest! Great story! Janet. Northamptonshire

Hi Janet, You've no idea how long and how many hours that I've put into trying to solve our MARY TOOGOOD's mysterious partners. It has been a long awaited question that needs answering and my Mum's side of the family would all love to know. If and when I do find the answers, I will post them here. Sorry that you couldn't help but THANKS for your interest!!! Take Care. Regards, Dawn.

Hi Gwynneth, MANY THANKS for your e-mail with your interest and advice...........I have e-mailed you directly. Happy Hunting...........Dawn.

Hi Everyone........ Is there anyone out there, able to help me.........??? P L E A S E.......... From A Rather Frustrated Dawn?!?!

Hi Max, THANK YOU for your speedy response.......I have sent you an e-mail directly. explaining that I do not live in England. Which makes it more awkward to search through Parishes. I would appreciate any more idea's?? Many Thanks. Regards, Dawn.

Sorry but it does look like Parish records. a lot of births esp. earlier ones were not registered on the GRO. If you try LDS they may be able to order the microfiche for you. Good luck

Dawn. Sorry to confuse the situation. Are you sure Mary was born in Durham area as I have found this on 1891 Census. Mcleod Family living at 8 Havelock Street. John, 39, Occ ? Smith, Scotland Mary, 36, , Liverpool William, 15, , Durham Sunderland John, 13, , Durham Richard, 11, , Durham Alexander, 9, , Durham Ellen, 7, , Durham Thomas, 5, , Durham Walter 3, , Durham James 1, , Durham RG12/4143 Folio 150 Page 55 Looks like this could be them. Sorry if you already have this info. Sarah.

Hi Dawn, Have you looked on 1837 online? There is a Mary Ann Toogood born in 1844 in Easington, which is not too for from Durham. Will e-mail the details to you. Maggy, West Yorkshire.

Hi Everyone, THANK YOU'S SO MUCH for for own time, helping me out...........I will get back to you's later on tonight because I'm having a sneeky look at my computer, when I'm supposed to be working!!! I promise to answer your messages as soon as poss........THANK YOU SO MUCH, WHAT A FRIENDLY BUNCH YOU'S ALL ARE?!? With Kindest Regards, Dawn.

Hi Sarah, Many THANKS for your time and trouble BUT I'm afraid they are not mine. On the Census 1881, McLeod has been mis-spelt as McCloud and the correct spelling is definely McLeod.........here they are:- Mary McCloud - Wife/Head - Married - Aged 39, born in South Shields, Durham, during 1842. (Oh Dear and I've been saying 1844....) John S. McCloud (the 'S', stands for SEWELL, John changed his name by deed poll to McLeod, in 1881) - Son - Aged 15, born in South Shields, Durham. Mary McCloud - Aged 8, born in South Shields, Durham. Thomas McCloud - Aged 5, born in South Shields, Durham. Alexander McCloud - Aged 3, born in South Shields, Durham. William McCloud - Aged 7 months, born in South Shields, Durham. These are the family members listed on the Census 1881. But theres also:- William Sewell, born 1862, in South Shields, Durham. (Marys oldest child) Alexander McLeod, born 11/12/1869, in South Shields, unfortuntely died aged 3 days. Elizabeth McLeod, born 26/09/1888, in South Shields, Durham (my G-Grandmother). Margaret McLeod, born circa 1892, in South Shields, Durham. Margaret was Marys last child. Their address was at:- 69 Maxwell Street, WESTOE, Durham. (I've been told that Westoe is classed as South Shields??) I have had a look again for a Mary Toodgood and I still cannot find a birth entry for the years between 1842 to 1844?? Sarah, Thank You so much for looking and I'm not going to give in, until I get to the bottom of this!!! The very best with your own researching. With kindest Regards, Dawn. P.S I intend replying to everyone later on this evening, when finshing work......Thanks Everybody.

Dawn I've emailed you with some names and dates which could help your search.

Hi, Dawn I was interested in this difficult search. I think Margaret Whiting is right about the birth. I've checked all the Mary Ann Toogood registration index records from 1841 to 1845. There are records from Mere (Dorset), Sheffield, Wincanton, Croydon and Burton on Trent, but only Jul-Sep 1844, Easington XXIV 115 looks a possibility. It is of course possible that her birth was not registered. If I think of anything else I'll let you know. All the best Stan Driver

Hi Everyone, I am so grateful about your response and interest, today there seems to be a new door thats opened and definely looks promising. Margaret & Norman:- Thank You so much for looking around for my Mary but I am sure that you's both have found, is just a namesake. My Mary was definely born in South Shields and looking properly again on the Census 1881, it looks like she was really born 2 years earlier than I thourght?? (During 1842, not 1844??). But, I have jotted down the information that you's both gave me, just in case. Helen:- I do believe that you have 'hit on the right nails'......I did find a Richard, John & Betsy Toogood, born in South Shields, between 1835 to 1850 and I too strongly suspect they are Marys siblings. Your suggestion about following these, may lead me to my Mary and her family, etc......sounds more promising. John:- Thank You for your advice about looking up the Parishes.....if I am still real stuck, after trying the other sources, I am going to try the Parishes. Max:- Thank You for your e-mail and I have replied directly. To my E-Pal Malcolm:- I want to say that I really appreciate your constant interest on helping me along and for being such a whitty and chearful e-pal. (God help me, if we are related!!! he he) Because I cannot sit twiddling my thumbs about Mary, I intend digging deep here and shall keep you's all posted on when & where my Mary is, etc. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH..... Best Wishes, Dawn.