Background to case

Lynette (Lyn) Coxon née Armstrong began researching her family history 20 years ago. Her maternal line research progressed well, but on her paternal side she quickly became ‘stuck’. Despite differing tactics and numerous attempts, she was unable to progress beyond her great-grandfather, George Armstrong, baptised at Haltwhistle, Northumberland on 15 August 1813 (see bottom of page).

At that time George’s father John Armstrong, a Labourer, and his wife Mary Kirk were living at Combhillside on the northern outskirts of the town. Lyn also had their marriage record of February 1811 along with the baptism records for a couple of potential siblings but remained unable to make further headway.