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Hi, Just looking for a birth for my grans dad Matthew James i Have found him on the 1911 census born in Hetton County Durham in 1863? he shows up on 4 census. .But 2 census look the same and 2 are different showing him born 1860?. The family's are simlar so i'm not sure. I seem to have come to a dead end with this birth. I would be very grateful for some help.
Regards Sue

For our reference, here's the 1911:

JAMES, Matthew Head M 47 1864 Farm Labourer Hetton Le Hole Durham
JAMES, Ann Wife F 42 1869 West Cornforth Durham
JAMES, Mary Hannah Daughter F 15 1896 Moorsley Durham
JAMES, Barbara Ellen Daughter F 12 1899 Shincliffe Village Durham
JAMES, John Edward Son M 10 1901 Shotton Durham
JAMES, Agnes Ann Daughter F 7 1904 Shincliffe Village Durham

Registration District: Sedgefield
Sub District: Sedgefield
Enumeration District: 7
Parish: Woodham

Address: Nunstainton Grange Cottages Ferryhill
County: Durham

** The original states they'd been married 22 years.

Is that his full name....Matthew James

In 1901 we can see his mother-in-law (Hmm, Middletons from Durham - Royal connection?!) ;-)

JAMES, Mathew Head Married M 38 1863 Cartman For Colliery Above Ground Hetton Durham
JAMES, Annie Wife Married F 38 1863 Thirstleton Hall Durham
JAMES, Ralph Son Single M 17 1884 Lime Stone Quarry Labourer Elemore Lane Durham
JAMES, Elizabeth Daughter F 15 1886 Low Moorsely Durham
JAMES, Ann Daughter F 13 1888 Elemore Vale Durham
JAMES, Jonathan Son M 12 1889 Hetton Durham
JAMES, Lily Daughter F 8 1893 Byers Green Durham
JAMES, Mary Daughter F 4 1897 High Moorsely Durham
JAMES, Barbara Daughter F 2 1899 Shincliffe Durham
JAMES, John Son M 0 (4 MOS) 1901 Shotton Durham
MIDDLETON, Hannah Mother-In-Law Widow F 79 1822 Alston Cumberland

Registration District: Easington
Sub District: Wingate
Enumeration District: 4
Ecclesiastical Parish: Shotton St Saviour's

Civil Parish: Shotton
Municipal Borough:

Address: 19, Farm Cottages, Shotton, Shotton Colliery
County: Durham

Hmmm...no birth or 1871 that matches your man. I wonder if his mother remarried and Matthew took his step fathers name?

MC.....I'll av you know that the Middletons came from Yorkshire my dear :P

Gins - she has cousins in Easington - one has a chippie and the other's a hairdresser, so there! :P

"Miss Middleton can trace her family back to County Durham. Her great-great-great-great grandfather, James Harrison, began work at Hetton Lyons pit, Hetton-le-Hole, when it opened in 1821"

Susan - I see his birth year does vary on earlier census. Best thing is to get his marriage certificate for father's details, will look for record.

Thanks for the replys, The details i am finding confusing are because his wifes births are different on the 2 census, also on the 1911 census it states he has only 4 children do you think this could just be a mistake when filling in the form?. I hope we could find his birth then i could find his marriage for confimation. thanks Sue

Susan - on the original 1911 census he hasn't completed the column for the actual number of children born. Looks like he just entered 4 for the number that were at home at the time.

Unfortunately, we can't take anything on census as 100% accurate.

Really struggling to find his marriage.

Sorry i went offline for a while, I'm pleased to have some help i just don't know where to look . on the 1911 census it says he has been married for 22 years but i can't find it . Sue