| Notes |
- I had contact with Liz in 25 Nov 2000
Dear Bruce
It is really strange you getting in touch with me now. I have often noticed
your name but been too busy to write to you. Up till a couple of months ago
I had nothing new on my RUSSELL family since I last wrote to Judy.
I received an email from a William RUSSELL of Middlesex who turned out to be
descended from my G grandma's eldest brother Thomas, who I knew nothing
about. This family knew nothing except my gg grandfather was born in
Newbiggin by the sea but they have lots of family photos dating back to
1900. They only knew the names of their immediate family. They had seen a
RUSSELL tombstone when they visited Newbiggin some 10 yrs ago. I was able to
find out the following through a friend in North Shields .She said:
"Ken and I went up to Morpeth Records Centre on Tuesday evening, to see if
we could find out anything about the gravestones in St Bartholomews
churchyard. They had a few monumental inscriptions, but they didn't have a
plan of where each person was buried. I looked through the burial register
and found the following:-
Mary Russell, age 44, Abode Newbiggin, Buried on Jan 11, 1859.
William Russell age 79, Abode Newbiggin, Buried April 12, 1864
George Russell age 61, Abode Newbiggin, Buried Feb 23, 1873
The young lady who was working there suggested that we contact a lady called
Joan Rose, who lives in Newbiggin and had recently retired from the Record
Centre. She is busy 'doing' St Bartholomew's graveyard, and she might be
able to help us. I met Joan last year when I was researching the Armstrongs
for one of my neighbours. She was very helpful and was able to give me the
information I was looking for. So yesterday morning Ken rang Joan Rose and
explained who we were and what we were looking for. We arranged to go
straight up to her house, where she and her husband Ernie made us very
welcome,.they were a lovely couple. I gave her a copy of your family tree
which you sent me quite a while ago, and after she looked at it, she told me
that her gt. gt. gt. grandmother Mary Russell and your gt.gt.gt. grandfather
George Russell were brother and sister. I couldn't believe it. "
Isn't it a small world! This Joan ROSE sent me a copy of a newspaper story
about this Mary RUSSELL & one of her grandsons. Photos of both. The quality
is not good enough to scan so if you give me your snail mail address I will
post you a copy.
This Joan ROSE says that Margaret TAYLOR is not my ancestor but Margaret
TEMPERLEY. She says her :
" Mary was born April 15 1819 London & baptised June 20 1825 at
Pottergate Scotch Presbyterian Alnwick, daughter of William RUSSELL, Linkend
Alnmouth & wife Margaret TEMPERLEY of Simonburn, who married May 23 1812 at
St.Andrews Hexham. Her brother George was baptised at the same place.
Where did you get Margaret TAYLOR from ?.
Incidentally here is a story for you:- Elizabeth ARMSTRONG
(mother of Mary DOWNIE) was previously married Dec 23 1798 at Woodhorn to
Charles TWIZELL and had a son William born Nov 08 1799. Husband Charles was
lost at sea 1801. Son William married Ann TAYLOR and their son Charles was
drowned in the big fishing disaster of March 18 1851. He left a pregnant
wife who subsequently had a son William Charles TWIZELL prematurely and died
aged 3 months." end of quote.
As Joan ROSE worked at the record office & still lives in Newbiggin & her
family were very long lived she must have her facts right. All I can think
of is that Margaret TAYLOR died after your John was born & William
remarried. Otherwise we are 2 different families. Deep down I feel it is the
same family. Like you I study maps & photos & occupations. I try to work out
why these people did what they did. I found out who your John's other wife
was & found him on the 1881 census & in a directory, I think.
I have no email address for Geoff in Wales. Have not heard from him since I
sent him photos of your family in 1992.
We have Works 2000 on our computer & my husband has Office 2000 on his
laptop. My husband thinks we should be able to open Word 97.
Will enclose photo of my g grandma Mary Jane RUSSELL 1861-1946 & her father
William RUSSELL 1837-1925 with his eldest son Thomas and family.
Hope to hear from you again soon
Best wishes Elizabeth McMurdy
26 Nov 2000
Dear Bruce
I have not entered in the computer all your families details although I have
a file on them. I use Brothers Keeper, BK5, for my family history. I did
have the following note with your John RUSSELL:
Durham Directory18??.p301,StanleyParish:RUSSELL,Jno.Geo,agt,toFerens&Love's
collieries,Prospect ho.
Have you got the 1881 census entry for your John & Eleanor? If not I will
send it to you. I am sure the Newbiggin burial records I sent you are our
William, his son George & daughter in law. William from Middlesex says they
must have been all buried in the same grave. Will enclose the photo he took
of tombstone.
William Russell from Middlesex says his father told these stories:
"My father was told a story about another Russell who may have settled in
Australia. His name was John and he was also a sailor. Apparently
he deserted from his ship when it docked in Sydney and was never heard of
again.
He also remembers some stories about William Russell. William lived in a
house called the White House in Newbiggin and owned land which was purchased
by the coal mines.Any fortune that was made was lost because it seems that
he was a heavy drinker. His son Thomas Cawton was a teetotaller all his
life."
I think William from Middlesex has got his generations mixed up here. He is
referring to my gg grandfather William RUSSELL1837 who left Newbiggin when
he was young. My mother knew him & could not believe him to be a drinker.
His daughter, my g grandma, was brought up a Methodist but married into a
Church of England family. Her husband's father was an Agent.
Must go
Best regards Elizabeth
and when I tried to recontact her in Aug 2013 got this reply from her husband
G'day Bruce,
Thanks for your email however, I cannot be any assistance as the family history side was done by my wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth passed away in January this year and family history does not interest me. My only involvement in the same was to keep the computer operational so as Elizabeth could continue with her favourite pastime.
I am sorry I cannot be of any further assistance, happy researching.
Regards Bevan McMurdy
|
- 2013
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
