jennjenn72

I am amazed at the information I found here with my other requests for help. I have even found a cousin I never knew I had!!! Thank you! BUT....I am stuck again. My great grandmother was Hannah Jane Bottoms Middleton Logan and my great grandfather was Bernard Logan. He is the one I am having trouble finding more about.

I know that he was born in 1897. I would love to find out more about him and who his parents were. I know that my mom-Alexandra Markwell (born May 1947), his granddaughter, was born in Bedlington. I did find a family that sort of matched but then I realized the dates were off by ten years. I am running out of places to look for information. I have not had much luck on Ancestry.

Thank you again for you assistance.

Jenn

Uncle Jimmy was my granmother's brother, your mother's half brother. I knew that they grew up very poor and from the sounds of it very rough. Catherine would tell stories of stealing groceries in order to eat. I know my grandfather was a coal miner and I believe that Uncle Jimmy may have been as well. I think it was in later years that he and his wife, who I believe came from money, had visited the US.

Our visit was just one time in 1989. My parents had done well for themselves and paid for everything while we were there. I know my mother bought groceries to feed us while there and things like that. And also, when Jimmy and Elsie would come to visit I know they stayed with my grandparents and didn't have to pay for meals while here. I think they only had to pay for airfare to get here. And also, Jimmy and Elsie had no children so they may have had some savings as they didn't have the expense of raising children.

When you refer to Aunt Jane would that be Aunt Jenny? I seem to confuse myself everytime I think I have figured it out! hehe

I sent you an email with more information about this side of the family. Thank you for taking an interest in this because otherwise it may have driven me insane not having any answers to anything and feeling like the family never existed! Talk to you soon.

Jenn

Hi. How wonderful to find a relation that I knew existed somewhere in America. I have read your message and can tell you that I am a neice of your grandmother Catherine. My grandmother Hannah Jane married Bernard Logan 1919. My grandmothers first husband John William Middleton was killed in the first world war when my mother Florence was two years old. My mothers maiden name was Middleton. I have, like you, tried to bring together my family history. It has been very difficult due to the two marriages of my grandmother and the various children. Grandmother's father was Thomas Bottoms born 1867 -1943 he married a Hannah Napier born 1865-1922. I have a copy of my Grandparents marriage certificate and my grandmother Hannah's death certificate which I can confirm she died from child birth pneumonia. My mum relocated to County Durham when I was about two months old and she would take me to Bedlington by bus twice a year to see her sister Jenny (Jane) married name Richardson and family. Until I began the family tree I thought my aunt Jenny and aunt Catherine were my mums full sister now I am not so sure and think they may have been half sisters (now I believe this to be true when you confirm Catherine to be a Logan). Mum was very family orientated and would talk about aunt Catherine emigrating although it was through aunt Jenny that mum would receive news as Catherine always sent letters to Jenny. I can remember on one of our visits when I was about eight of nine years old aunt Jenny proudly showing us a photograph of one of Catherine's daughters (in her cap and gown) when she graduated from university. Mum also spoke about three brothers who I believe was William born 1919, James 1921, Robert 1921. I did not meet any of the brothers on my visits and would wonder why, but mum either did not know of there whereabouts or for some reason she would not tell me, which I found strange but when I was a child it was a case of children should be seen and not heard, don't ask questions of a personal nature. The reason she did not explain may have been because mother was sent to Kent at fifteen to work in domestic service and returned to Bedlington at about twenty five years old. I hope this confirms that we are related and helps towards your search. I look forward to hearing from you.

Jean.

Thank you! Thank you! I have to admit I cried when I was reading your post! It all fits together! In fact, I have "Florence Middleton 1913" on a notepad on my desk with a big question mark next to it. I honestly had just started thinking that Middleton had to be the name of the first husband or maybe cousins of my family! How wonderful that it turns out to BE my family!!!!!

I understand what you said about not asking questions as a child. That is how it was for me and why I didn't have much information to go on. So many times during this search I have thought if only I asked or listened better or understood what they were talking about.

My mom remembers Aunt Jenny. She mentioned her a few weeks back when I was asking questions. She also mentioned Uncle Willie. I already knew about Uncle Bobby because Catherine would talk about him from time to time. And I met Uncle Jimmy several times. He came to America several times and in 1989 we took a trip out to stay with him in Bedlington. I was only sixteen at the time and not at all interested in family history. Catherine was heartbroken about never knowing where Doreen was.

There is so much I want to ask you. I would love to stay in touch and learn all I can about our family. I tried to call my mom this morning but she much be working or out for the day. I left her a message and am anxious for her to call me back! This has been the best email I have ever received!!!! Thank you!

Your cousin,

Jennifer

I have been working on a family tree. I posted here before and am thankful for the response about my grandfather's family. I have a little more information to go on now about my grandmother's family. If anyone has any information about them or where I might find information I would appreciate it very much. I almost feel as though they never existed...but they had to because I am here today!

My grandmother was Catherine Logan. She married Leslie Markwell and they moved to the USA (Chicago) in Nov/Dec 1950 from Bedlington. They had three children when they moved to Chicago and then added one more son after moving. Their children were/are Eileen Heather Markwell, Alexandra Whilamina (Sandra) Markwell, Edward John Markwell, and Kenneth Lee Markwell. My mom is Sandra.

Catherine, my grandmother, was born on July 7, 1923. She had three brothers that I know of and one sister. Possibly another brother, a half brother. Her siblings were William Logan born in 1919, James Logan born in 1921, Robert Logan born in 1922, Doreen Logan born about 1926 or 1927. Their mother died in childbirth with Doreen. From what I have uncovered so far their mother's maiden name was Bottoms. I recall my grandmother always telling us her mother's name was Jane. So that would make it Jane Bottoms as her mother and unknown Logan as her father. My sister thinks maybe Bernard Logan but we are not sure.

I found a Jane Bottoms with a birth year that would fit the time frame...1888 with her parents being John and Hannah. If someone has information to prove or discredit this as her and her family please let me know. I am grasping at straws for information.

Robert, my grandmother's brother, died around age 19 of turbuculosis. Doreen was taken away by an auntie or some other relative to be raised. My grandmother never really knew what became of her. James married Elsie. I believed that her last name is/was Grant and she has a brother named Roger married to Edna.

Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read this plea for help in finding out about my family. It bothers me that I cannot find any records of my grandmother or her parents. I have a membership for Ancestry but still nothing. I will look up information in exchange for information if need be.

My grandmother wanted this information for a long time and I put it off and put it off and now that she is gone I cannot forgive myself for not doing it sooner. I MUST find this information. Thank you.

Jennifer A

No it is Ruby and her daughter Charlene that I am in contact with, I used to write to Cora but have not heard from her in 3 years.

My mom said they may not remember her or my dad but they would definately remember my grandparents...Leslie and Catherine Markwell. Maybe Ruby will remember something about my grandmother's family. My sister said something about the Logan's coming from Cork County Ireland. My sister isn't sure though. Thank you again for all your help. =)

I will ask her next time I email her and give her your email address, you might even live near her in Chicago. Hope there`s a happy ending to this story.

Thank you! Is it Cora that lives in Florida?

Hello Your Aunt Minnies daughter is still alive aged 80 and living in Florida, her daughter lives in Chicago and I am in regular contact by email with them, also a cousin in her 80s lives in Arkinsas, they could have some information that might help you as they must have all emigrated to the US about the same time. Sorry cant help with the other names.

I do remember a relative named Ruth who would be in her 70's or 80's and thought she may have lived in Arkansas. How exciting that you still correspond with Minnie's daughter. I am sure she would remember my mother and father...Sandra and Doug. If you wouldn't mind, would you ask her if she knows anything of my grandmother's family? My email address is jenn_abr -- AT -- yahoo.com. I would love to talk with her even if she doesn't have any info that I am looking for. Maybe she can fill in some things about my grandfather for me. Thank you so very much

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Hello saw your post I know a bit about the Markwells, Minnie Markwell originally from Holy Island married my grandmothers brother and emigrated to Chicago in the 30s there is quite a few relatives still living. Sorry but I dont know anything about your Grandmother. Good luck in your search.

Thank you for your reply. I remember Aunt Minnie. She was my grandfather's older sister. I grew up just outside of Chicago and now live near the city.

My grandfather was Leslie Markwell...the son of Ralph and Robina. I wonder if there might be a relative that would recall my grandmother's family.

Or possibly, you might know of my mother's uncle's widow and her family...they live in Beddlington. James Logan was my mother's uncle (my grandmother's brother). Uncle Jimmy's wife is/was Elsie. I believe her maiden name was Grant. Her brother's name is Roger and his wife is Edna. They have two daughters who would be in their thirties by now. We went to visit Beddlington in 1989 when I was only 16 and not at all interested in the family history. Boy do I wish I could go back in time and take advantage of when I was there!

Thank you so much for your help.

My mother came to the USA as a small child. She was born in Bedlington. My grandmother had a rough time of it as a girl. Her mother died when she was three and her father died when she was in her teens or twenties. I promised my grandmother that I would look for her family and I never put much into it until now. My grandmother passed away and with her went the little information I could get on where to start.

If anyone could help me find a little more about my family I would be most appreciative. My grandfather's family was from Holy Island and I found some things about them...the Markwell Family. Unfortunately, I have nothing on my grandmother's side other than her mother's name was Jane and her father's name may have been Bernard Logan. My grandmother was Catherine Logan Markwell(born July 7, 1923) and she had two brothers, Bobby who died in a war and James who died in August 1997. Also there was a sister, Doreen. Jane died in childbirth with Doreen. Doreen was sent to live with an aunt, possibly in London, we have no clues on that.

I know this is a lot to ask. I am desparate to find answers but my financial situation is extemely limited. Thank you in advance for any assistance you may offer. =)