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Hi, Just wondering if anyone can help. I'm trying to find out a little more about my great grandad who was John Birkett from Cumbria. I've looked through birth and marriage records and can't figure out which is him! I assumed he was born in whitehaven (cleator area). He married Jessie Nelson (also from cumbria) but again, can't find a match. They were both born roughly around 1900 and had two children...Jack and Lily. Would love to know Jessie's mum's maiden name; she was called Elizabeth. Also would like to find out who John's parents were.
Any help would be greatfully recieved!
Thank you
Fiona

Hello Fiona, his marriage certificate should be the starting point.

Do you know where and when he and Jessie died? Working back from the death can be helpful.

(PS - I've recently been walking in the Langdales with a Birkett from there!)

Well, he was John J if that helps - but you do need the marriage cert. I imagine they were born before 1900:

Marriages Dec 1917 (>99%)
Birkett John J Nelson Cockermouth 10b 1208
Nelson Jessie Birkett Cockermouth 10b 1208

England & Wales, Marriage Index: 1916-2005
about Jessie Nelson
Name: Jessie Nelson
Spouse Name: John J Birkett
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1917
Registration district: Cockermouth
Inferred County: Cumberland
Volume Number: 10b
Page Number: 1208

This is their marriage:-


Name: NELSON, Jessie
Registration district: Cockermouth
County: Cumberland
Year of registration: 1917
Quarter of registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
Spouse's last name: Birkett
Volume no: 10B
Page no: 1208

Name: BIRKETT, John J
Registration district: Cockermouth
County: Cumberland
Year of registration: 1917
Quarter of registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
Spouse's last name: Nelson
Volume no: 10B
Page no: 1208

The certificate will give their approximate ages and also the father of each.


Kath. x

This could possibly be Jessie in the 1911 census:-

1911 census transcription details for: 26 North Cote Street Westfield Workington

National Archive Reference:
RG14PN31451 RG78PN1806 RD576 SD3 ED25 SN118
Reg. District: Cockermouth
Sub District: Workington
Parish: Workington
Enum. District: 25

Address: 26 North Cote Street Westfield Workington
County: Cumberland

Name Relation Condition/
Yrs married Sex Age Birth Year Occupation Where Born

NELSON, Charles Head Married M 50 1861 Steelworker Dronfield Derbyshire
NELSON, Elizabeth Ann Wife Married 27 years F 45 1866 Penistone Yorkshire
NELSON, Fred Son Single M 23 1888 Steelworker Workington Cumb
NELSON, Wilfred Son Single M 18 1893 Bootmaker Apprentice Workington Cumb
NELSON, Jessie Daughter F 14 1897 Workington Cumb<<<<<<<<<<
NELSON, Sarah Elizabeth Daughter F 12 1899 School Workington Cumb
NELSON, Dorothy Mary Daughter F 9 1902 School Workington Cumb
NELSON, Lena Daughter F 7 1904 School Workington Cumb

Kath. x

??

BIRKETT, Ambrose Head Married M 43 1868 Dock Labourer Whitehaven VIEW
BIRKETT, Susannah Wife Married24 years F 44 1867 Dalry Ayrshire Scotland VIEW
BIRKETT, John James Son Single M 20 1891 Fish Salesman Maryport VIEW
BIRKETT, Alexander Son Single M 18 1893 Fish Salesman Maryport VIEW
BIRKETT, Ambrose Son Single M 16 1895 General Labourer Maryport VIEW
BIRKETT, Henry Son M 11 1900 School Maryport VIEW
BIRKETT, Susannah Daughter F 9 1902 School Maryport VIEW
RG number: RG14
Piece: 31466
Reference: RG14PN31466 RG78PN1807 RD576 SD4 ED12 SN15
Registration District: Cockermouth
Sub District: Maryport
Enumeration District: 12
Parish: Netherhall
Address: 53 Nelson Street Maryport
County: Cumberland


Andy

possibly

Name: John J Birkett
Birth Date: abt 1890
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1942
Age at Death: 52
Registration district: Cockermouth
Inferred County: Cumberland
Volume: 10b
Page: 670

Possibly Jessie's birth:-

Name: NELSON, Jessie
Registration district: Cockermouth
County: Cumberland
Year of registration: 1897
Quarter of registration: Apr-May-Jun
Mother's maiden name: Not available before 1911 Q3
Volume no: 10B
Page no: 620

Kath. x

Births Jun 1918
Birkett Elizabeth H Nelson Cockermouth 10b 1124
Births Mar 1923 (>99%)
Birkett John N Nelson Whitehaven 10b 12

Could this be Jessie's death?

England & Wales, Death Index: 1916-2006
Name: Jessie Birkett
Birth Date: 2 Apr 1897
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1976
Age at Death: 79
Registration district: Blackpool & Fylde
Inferred County: Lancashire
Volume: 40
Page: 0843

??
Name: Jessie Birkett
Birth Date: 2 Apr 1897
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1976
Age at Death: 79
Registration district: Blackpool & Fylde
Inferred County: Lancashire
Volume: 40
Page: 0843

That was them in the 1911 census. This is brilliant thank you all very much. I've got a lot more info to keep me digging now :-)

Fiona, beware of going down the wrong path with John - there is more than one possible birth, even assuming he was born in Cumbria. You need his marriage cert.

Births Mar 1883 (>99%)
Birkett John Joseph Alston 10b 430

Births Dec 1890 (>99%)
Birkett John James Cockermouth 10b 577

Births Mar 1892 (>99%)
Birkett John James Cockermouth 10b 600

Births Mar 1896 (>99%)
Birkett John Joseph Cockermouth 10b 55

There are too many John J. Birkett births in Cumberland around the same time. You really need John and Jessie's marriage certificate for John's age and his father's name - then you can look for him in the 1911 census.

Kath. x

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
about John James Birkett
Name: John James Birkett
Probate Date: 5 Jun 1943
Death Date: 24 Nov 1943
Death Place: Cumberland, England
Registry: Carlisle


This John Birkett had a widow Martha.

This would be the marriage

Surname First name(s) Spouse District Vol Page

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriages Jun 1912 (>99%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Birkett John J Thompson Cockermouth 10b 1191
Thompson Martha Birkett Cockermouth 10b 1191


Andy

Thanks again everyone! Think this was the Jessie definately. I always wondered why some of our family ended up in the Blackpool area!

Fiona