The 1881 Census

       The letter which James Gartland received in 1882, from his brother John in America has provoked some interesting thoughts, not to say speculation, when this is compared with the 'letter from Ireland', written in 1906 where several of the same names appear in both letters. John had recently emigrated from England and was also a miner so there is the strong possibility that prior to leaving he was in the Durham coalfields.
       The following table, taken from the 1881 Census Index, lists three John Gartlands and since there appears to be no indication in the letter that John was married perhaps the favourite is the John Gartland who, at the time of the Census was unmarried and lodging with Charles Newgent at Kimblesworth, Co. Durham.
       John in his letter asks James to convey his best regards to some of his former colleagues and in particular to "...John and Catherine.." Could these perhaps be Gartlands? However, until other evidence comes to light I am happy in the meantime to accept that there maybe a relationship of some kind and if this turns out to be a fact, then it also adds two more members to our Gartland family, Owen and Felix.
       There is also another John & Catherine who were living at North Bedbourn. Could he perhaps have been referring to them? Or perhaps he wasn't referring to Gartlands at all!

Extract from the 1881 Census Index conducted at Iveston Co. Durham
Name Age Marital Status Relation to Head Occupation Where Born

James Gartland

 41 m Head Coal Miner Ireland

Eleanor Gartland

 36 m Wife -- Ireland

Thomas Gartland

 10 -- Son Scholar Sedgfield Co. Durham

Susan Gartland

 7 -- Dau Scholar Heworth Co. Durham

John Gartland

 4 -- Son Scholar Durham Co. Durham

John Gartland

 41 m Head Coal Miner Ireland

Catherine Gartland

 38 m Wife -- Ireland

Rose Gartland

 15 -- Dau -- Ireland

Owen Gartland

 37 um Bro Coal Miner Ireland

Felix Gartland

 35 m Bro Iron Worker Ireland
Extract from the 1881 Census Index conducted at Kimblesworth Co. Durham

John Gartland

 37 um Boarder Coal Miner Ireland
Extract from the 1881 Census Index conducted at Bedbourn Co. Durham

John Gartland

 49 m Head Coke Drawer Ireland

Catherine Gartland

 48 m Wife -- Ireland

Thomas Gartland

 24 um Son Coke Drawer Durham

Catherine Gartland

 19 um Dau -- Durham

Annie Gartland

 17 um Dau Pupil Teacher Durham

Ellen Gartland

 14 -- Dau Scholar Durham

Bridget Gartland

 11 -- Dau Scholar Durham

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