Genealogy Chat

I am tracking a John Armstrong, who gave several different birthplaces and occupations in censuses from 1841 to 1881. But his address and place of birth were always somewhere in the North East. Then in 1891 his address has changed to Epsom, and his occupation is given as retired race horse trainer. He was married to Charlotte, and in 1881 there was no John and Charlotte Armstrong in England of the right age. But the place of birth given this time is Yorkshire. This may or may not be the same man, can anybody suggest any way of proving it one way or the other. I have tried to find a biography of the trainer to see if he was a Geordie, but couldn't find one. Duncan

Hi Lesley, I'm not sure what you mean. He is on every census from 1841 to 1891, but he is not a race horse trainer on any of them, he has previously been a marine engine fitter, a publican and a house owner, no mention of horses. Duncan

1881 version of the 1891 couple Name: John Armstrong Age: 56 Estimated birth year: abt 1825 Relation: Head Gender: Male Where born: Cowton, Yorkshire, England Civil parish: Epsom County/Island: Surrey Country: England Street address: Epsom Downs Condition as to marriage: Married Education: Employment status: View image Occupation: Trainer Of Horses Registration district: Epsom Sub-registration district: Epsom ED, institution, or vessel: 5a Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Charlotte Armstrong 55 b. Gilling John Armstrong 56 Grace C. Joy 20 Martha Wait 21 Reg

1891 for ref........... Name: Charlotte Armstrong Age: 78 Estimated birth year: abt 1813 Relation: Wife Spouse's name: John Gender: Female Where born: Gilling, Yorkshire, England Civil parish: Epsom Ecclesiastical parish: St Martin Town: Epsom County/Island: Surrey Country: England Registration district: Epsom Sub-registration district: Epsom ED, institution, or vessel: 9 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Charlotte Armstrong 78 John Armstrong 78 b. ?Crowton? Alice Johnson 23 G'dau.b. Chelsea Phoebe M Johnson 24 G'dau. b. Chelsea Did your relation have a daughter who married a Mr Johnson? That might be your best approach......along those lines......... Reg

Do you have a wife for this chap in the earlier censuses? Children? Reg

1881 Name: John Armstrong Age: 68 Estimated birth year: abt 1813 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Charlotte Gender: Male Where born: Chester Le St, Durham, England Civil parish: Boldon County/Island: Durham Country: England Condition as to marriage: Married Education: Employment status: View image Occupation: House Owner Registration district: South Shields Sub-registration district: Westoe ED, institution, or vessel: 32 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Charlotte Armstrong 68 Charlotte Armstrong 13 grand dau John Armstrong 68 Could it be horse owner and not house owner But the places of birth do not match

Thanks Reg, that's the feller. He was married to Charlotte through all the censuses, they had children who fled the nest. Duncan

Clearly, there were two John Armstrongs whose wives were called Charlotte............. Read the posting for 1891........then you'll know why I ask Reg

Yes Glitter, that's him too. This branch of the family do come from South Shields area, even before John Armstrong. All previous census entries show him in Geordieland. Sorry Reg, I've only just seen your question, I'm not sure about a daughter marrying a Johnson. What made you ask? Duncan

Reggie, Well spotted on the 1881 So two different couples Maureen

Thanks Reg, you've proved it's not the same man. I spent about 3 hours last week trying to do that, you've done it in 10 minutes!!!! Thanks for your help everyone. Duncan

Yes Reg, I see what you mean now. Duncan

1841 census Name: John Armstrong Age: 25 Estimated birth year: abt 1816 Gender: Male Where born: Yorkshire, England Civil parish: Richmond Hundred: Richmond Borough County/Island: Yorkshire Country: England Street address: Occupation: View image Registration district: Richmond Sub-registration district: Richmond Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Charlotte Armstrong 25 John Armstrong 25 Trainer William Clayton 15 June x