I am trying to find birth of Sarah E. A. Bains in South Shields. The 1861 census has her at age 12 yrs. Father is Joseph Bains and Mother is Sarah Stafford. Can anyone help me with this, I am not fiding her on Ancestry or FreeBMD.
Thanks

Ron, your problem may be the same as one which had me flumuxed for a few years.

There is a 50% probable marriage in Q3 1852 Tynemouth 10b 192 between Joseph Tunnicliffe BAINS and Sarah STAFFORD.
So try looking for the baptism of a Sarah E. A. STAFFORD - the illegitmate child of Sarah STAFFORD who later married Joseph BAINS and therafter was know by the surname of her stepfather.

You might also find Sarah STAFFORD and her mother Sarah STAFFORD in the 1851 census.

Bryan

MAYBE

Name: Thomas Stafford
Age: 69
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1782
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Sarah
Gender: Male
Where born: Gateshead, Durham, England
Civil parish: Seaton and Slingley
County/Island: Durham
Registration district: Easington
Sub-registration district: Easington
+
Name: Sarah Stafford
Age: 67
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1784
Relation: Wife
Spouse's Name: Thomas
Gender: Female
Where born: Mickley, Durham
+
Name: Sara Stafford
Age: 18
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1833
Relation: Daughter
Father's Name: Thomas
Mother's Name: Sarah
Gender: Female
Where born: Harton, Durham
+
Name: Sarah Stafford
Age: 2
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1849
Relation: Granddaughter
Gender: Female
Where born: Gateshead, Durham