The English BMD (Birth, Marriage, Death) records are not really much help for genealogists. 1. Birth records give the father's surname, the child's given name or sex, and the county of birth. This information may not be entered into the official record until six or more months after the birth. 2. Baptismal records are a little better. They provide the child's name, very seldom the date of birth, the date of baptism, the father's name, the mother's given name, occasionally her maiden name, and the place of baptism. 3. Marriage records for non-conformists (those who were not members of the Angelican Church) were not recorded pior to 1837. Church records for this period often state something like "John Smith married his wife". After 1837, marriage records are fairly concise; although, they do not contain any information about the bride and groom's parents. 4. Death records contain the person's name, the name of spouse, if any, and probably the name of a child living with them. The year when the event was recorded; however, it may have been recorded in the official record months after the event.
Children of John and Elizabeth Atkinson
1. Thomas Atkinson (Brfore July 1829-Unknown) This date coinsides with his age on the 1841 census. I have not been able to find out anything about Garragill. Is it a place or a churdh? Possibly one that no longer exists?
2. Mary Atkinson (Before June 1833-About 1881) Same parents given for both of these children. Mother may have died in 1833. Could there have been a difficult birth resulting in brain injury to the child and death of the mother?
Children of John and Margaret Atkinson
3. John Atkinson (30 August 1843-29 December 1908)
4. William Atkinson (15 August 1847-25 September 1925)
5. Sarah Atkinson (February 1850-About 1923)
6. James Atkinson (Before June 1852-19 Decenber 1880)
7. Margaret Atkinson (About 1857-Unknown) A.K.A. Maggie
8. Joseph Charles Atkinson (17 May 4859-17 April 1939) Baptized Charles A.K.A. Joseph C.
9. George Atkinson (26 August 1861-26 February 1943)
10. Robert Todhunter Atkinson (12 October 1864-03 August 1808) I have not found a baptismal record for Robert.