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Forgive me Margaret but I find your post very diffisult to read and I am sure that others will feel the same and just 'switch off' !!

I have spaced it out a bit - still a bit messy but more readable !!

"I am in a mess here trying to sort this out: I have a John James Burton, born Drury Lane, London, age 8 on 1861 census.

His father is shown as John Burton 37 gentlemans coachman and b. Coggeshall, Essex.

His mother is shown as Sarah age 33 therefore born abt 1828.

I then tried going back to 1851 census and the only John Burton b. Coggeshall that comes up is living West St. Coggeshall age 32 and wife Sarah age 36.

This didn't make sense as John was only 37 in 1861 and Sarah 33.

Ten years previous they should have been 27 and 23 respectively.
Their ages on later census returns all follow the same age pattern as the 1861, ie 47 & 43 on 1871, 57 & 52 on 1881.

I was completely puzzled and searched again and again but could find no alternative.

Also, I always thought that John Burtons wife was Sarah Cutler before marriage but on the 1851 census - if this is the correct one -
there is an Ann Cowell and son Henry Cowell living with them and described as Stepmother and Stepbrother respectively.

I do not have a marriage for John Burton and a Sarah Cutler but have found one for a John Burton and Sarah (Cowell)
- it took place in 1842. I am wondering if the ages are wrong on 1851 census or if this is indeed the wrong couple.

If anyone can unravel this at all or find something to make the situation a bit clearer, I would be most grateful.

I have searched for two full days trying to get to the bottom of this.

Thank you."

Dea x

If you look on this site there is a gentleman who will do lookups in the Coggeshall Parish Records:

Essex Look-up Exchange
Chelmsford Parish Registers: M 1539-1770, 1771-1837. June Greenough. Coggeshall Parish Registers: C 1813-1841, M 1813-1837. Dennis W. Galley ...

freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alefounder...

Which site did you use for the 1851 Census and did you look at the original record rather than a transcription?

I am in a mess here trying to sort this out: I have a John James Burton, born Drury Lane, London, age 8 on 1861 census. His father is shown as John Burton 37 gentlemans coachman and b. Coggeshall, Essex. His mother is shown as Sarah age 33 therefore born abt 1828. I then tried going back to 1851 census and the only John Burton b. Coggeshall that comes up is living West St. Coggeshall age 32 and wife Sarah age 36. This didn't make sense as John was only 37 in 1861 and Sarah 33. Ten years previous they should have been 27 and 23 respectively. Their ages on later census returns all follow the same age pattern as the 1861, ie 47 & 43 on 1871, 57 & 52 on 1881. I was completely puzzled and searched again and again but could find no alternative. Also, I always thought that John Burtons wife was Sarah Cutler before marriage but on the 1851 census - if this is the correct one - there is an Ann Cowell and son Henry Cowell living with them and described as Stepmother and Stepbrother respectively. I do not have a marriage for John Burton and a Sarah Cutler but have found one for a John Burton and Sarah (Cowell) - it took place in 1842. I am wondering if the ages are wrong on 1851 census or if this is indeed the wrong couple. If anyone can unravel this at all or find something to make the situation a bit clearer, I would be most grateful. I have searched for two full days trying to get to the bottom of this. Thank you.