Thread: James Gosling brickwall where & When was he born?

Hi to all I am hoping someone can help me out with a brickwall that is preventing me from going any further with my family tree. The brickwall in question is James Gosling who I believe according to his age at death was born C1842. The details I have are that my James was a merchant Sailor/waterman who died in 1887 in Gateshead I don't Know his place of birth as it keeps changing on the 1861-1881 census from Essex to Hebburn then Scotland but James was married twice his 1st wife Ann died 10/04/1867 in Ellison Street, Hebburn, I have been unable to trace their marriage or Ann's maiden name his 2nd wife Susannah who he married on the 08/11/1868 at St John's parish Church Newcastle they had 6 children all born in Hebburn, Durham the children were Mary Jane, John William, Elizabeth Ann, Susannah Dobson, James and Joseph who was born 13/12/1883. Susannah died in 1883 in Hebburn and then her husband died 1887 in Winlaton. James was the son of William Gosling a farmer does this ring any bells. Or can any one advice what I can do next as I am unable to find his birth year or district or when his 1st marriage took place. I can't find him on the 1841-1851 census either. I know that James wasn't born in Lexden as I have that certificate and have been in contact with a person whoose ancestors was James Gosling born in Lexden with parents John and Lucy.

I have searched every commercial site and tree for any link but nothing, so I have resorted to sending messages to 170 people on a UK site that had a William Gosling in their tree hoping that one of their's had a son called James who was in the merchant navy for a link, no luck so far, I have also ordered James's death cert hoping that a sibling of James and not one of his kids may have registered it, as his 2 oldest kids would have been 15 and 17? and not sure if they would have been legally allowed to register the death. The only other thing I can think about doing is searching for his merchant seaman records which may give his dob and place of birth, I would have to hire a researcher for that though as I live in the north east and can't travel to London, does anyone know how much it would cost to hire a researcher as I am on a limited budget or can someone recommend one? Or maybe you may have other ideas .

Firstly, children even younger than 15 sometimes registered deaths, and so did neighbours or other adults, though it was usually a spouse or child of the deceased who did so.



Is James consistent about his age on the censuses?

I can't find James on any census excet 1881. His birthplace is just ditto, for Scotland, but there are lots of dittos above, so I think his were probably added in error.

Cannot see any James Goslings in the right area for 1842 +/-2 years. Also no William Goslings in 1841.



Wondering if James was born with another name?

Hi guys thank you for all the posts, I'll go through the info as I have it the 1861 census Gosling is spelt Gasling James is listed as a Sailor born in Essex Bradforth? with his wife Ann both are listed as aged 26 they are living at 19 Wilson St, Westoe South Shields R.G9/3790 pg 30.

On the 10/04/1867 Ann Gosling died at Ellison Street Hebburn Quay, South Shields aged 28 she is listed as wife of James Gosling - steamden !!! ( merchant seaman) and she died of heart disease. ( I have cert)

On the 08/11/1868 James Gosling married Susanna Dobson both of full age James Condition is listed as Widower rank Seaman and fathers name is listed as William Gosling occupation farmer.( I have cert)

On the 1871 census James and Susannah are listed as Gaslin and living with their daughter Mary jane at the Square, Jarrow, County Durham RG/10/5044 14 pg 21 James is listed as aged 31 and Susannah as 20 (which is correct for her). James is listed as a waterman.

Their youngest child Joseph was born 30/11/1883 at 26 Lyon Street, Hebburn Quay,South Shields father is listed as James Gosling and mother as Susannah Gosling formeley Dobson father's occcupation is listed as waterman. (I have cert).

I hope this helps

Can find no James or Ann Gasling in 1861 census index on Ancestry nor Gaslin in 1871.

The full refrence for the 1861 census is RG9 piece 3790 Folio 18 pg 30 County Durham Ancestry has him listed as James Gosling



1871 census RG10 piece 5044 Folio 14 pg 21 James is listed as James Garbin susannah is listed in the search as Indiana Garbin

Thanks for that Welshlady, I've been searching the Tyne & Wear Archieves today for ship records on the Tyne that might have James on the crew, no luck yet but probably got another 500 vessels to go, I hope that I can find something soon, without costing me more money as I am starting to think I will have to order birth certs for all the James Goslings born over a 5 year period which will probably cost a fortune !!!!