Featherstone "brick in the wall"!

[beccysgran]

Hi Guys - am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I'm trying to trace a Ginny (Jinny) Featherstone from Newcastle upon Tyne. Don't have much detail about her except that she was born c 1902/03. She died aged 93 in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear about 15 years ago. She was a piano teacher except I don't know if she was a private teacher or based in a school - this would be in the 1920s/1930s. My mam visited her Aunty's house a few times when she was aged about 4/5. My mam was born 1929. That's all I have to go off. Can someone tell me if there are online records for Newcastle Evening Chronicle death notices? Also, does anyone know what Ginny/Jinny is short for excluding the obvious, Virginia? Mam only knew her as Aunt Ginny/Jinny. Thanks in anticipation!:walkman:

[Mutley]

Quick question,
is Featherstone her maiden or married name?

[beccysgran]

Sorry, should have said that Featherstone was her married name. Apparently hubby was called Harold and they had one child, Harold. He would have been born c1929 cos Mam said he was about the same age as her when she visited. Thanks

[Mutley]

Ok.
So the first step is to find the birth of young Harold. At this period of time it will give the maiden name of his mother.
Then the search is on for a marriage for a Harold Featherstone to the maiden name given for Ginny, when you find this it will tell you if Ginny is a nick name or her real name.
Then you need to check the 1911 census to find her under her maiden name, with her parents, then her birth.....

The name of the game is 'backstep', one at a time.... :smile5:

[Mutley]

There are no births for Harold in Northumberland but several in Yorkshire.
Where did Aunty live when mam went to visit?

[Waitabit]

Jumping ahead to a possible marriage, (I have an Earlier Relative (dtr of Gt.Aunt)whose name was Jane, she was known as Jean or Jinny. Here are two poss. marriages:
Marriages Mar 1919
Dawson Jane + Featherstone Harold @ Morpeth 10b -712

Jun 1933
Sigsworth Winifred J.+ Featherstone Harold @ Whitby 9d-107

[Richard1955]

I have a Harold W. Featherstone birth in Northumberland.
Tynemouth Mar 1919. 10b 537 Mother Airson.

Marriage: Tom Featherstone to Thomasina Airson Dec qtr 1915 Sunderland 10a 1284

[Pam Downes]

I have a Harold W. Featherstone birth in Northumberland.
Tynemouth Mar 1919. 10b 537 Mother Airson.

Marriage: Tom Featherstone to Thomasina Airson Dec qtr 1915 Sunderland 10a 1284
According to post #3, Harold was born c1929 so this one is waaaay too early.

There was an aunt Ginny/Jinny in our family. Proper name - Mary Jane.
Pam

[beccysgran]

thanks for all the replies and help guys. I've no idea where they lived when mam visited. I can only assume it was in and around Newcastle/coast areas. Mam was born in Elswick and lived there even when she got married. Mam's 81 this year and she can't remember much about the early years - pity!! I'll just have to keep digging away.

Greatly appreciated thanks.

[Mutley]

I cannot seem to find a birth registration for young Harold.

There is a birth registered in June 1897 in Newcastle T. for a Harry Featherstone and what may be the corresponding death in Newcastle T registered in 1971. Birth date being 24 April 1897 so maybe Ginny's husband.

The nearest female death I can see in the Durham area is for a Helena Featherstone born 9 June 1900 and her death is registered in August 1993 at Durham Western.
Also a Sarah Mildred born 3 Jan 1901 and death registered in Mar 1995 in Newcastle T.
There are a few other possibilities but the age does not quite tie up.

As you say, keep digging at poor ole mam. :smile5:

[beccysgran]

Thanks for that Mutley - I'm sure mam must be sick of me asking questions and quizzing her but I'll forge ahead!!! I've just asked her if it's possible that young Harold was older than her and she said yes it was because he was always at school when she visited. On the assumption that mam was born 1929 and they didn't go to school until age 5 (mam's fairly certain she wasn't at school at the time), then I'm thinking that perhaps young Harold was born somewhere around 1926 'ish'. I've now asked her where they lived when she visited - goodness knows what answer I'll get!!

Have just noticed that the dates tie in with Sarah Mildred - she was around 93/94 when she died! Maybe it's her and she was for some reason called "Ginny".

Thanks again people

[Mutley]

Have just noticed that the dates tie in with Sarah Mildred - she was around 93/94 when she died! Maybe it's her and she was for some reason called "Ginny".

Thanks again people

I think Sarah Mildred's surname was Goddard, there is a FreeBMD birth in 1901.
There is also a marriage registered June 1927 to Edward Featherstone. :(

[Waitabit]

Did either of your Harolds have Army service I wonder, his papers may hold some clue.

There are a few on "Genes R' but no proof of which or any may be yours. Leeds, Barnsley Sth, & Lincolnshire 1926/28.
One in 1902 no place of...

[Heather Barford]

Just a suggestion perhaps if you checked the 1901 census and discovered her parents and siblings if any you might be able to work out a mini family tree and post on a few boards her parents or grandparents you might find others that are perhaps related researching the family that have knowledge that could help you.
Best of luck