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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: Humphpaul on Thursday 15 September 11 09:54 BST (UK)
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I had a relative who was a fruit salesman in Queens Square L'pool in the early 1950s.
His father was Samuel Ferguson born in USA and he was William Holmes Ferguson born Liverpool 1878 who married Edith Jane Paul, a cousin of my mother, in 1902.
They had a son called Jack.
We understand that one of them was called "The Banana King" specialiseing in Canary bananas.
I have searched for photos of Queens Sq. but no help there. I have not ckecked the trade directories yet as I live in Wales.
Has anyone any info. about any of this please.
Thanks for your attention, Humphpaul
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Hello from the 'pool
If you enter 'Queen Square Liverpool' into Google, select images from the left hand column, the third pic to appear in the first row is of the old square showing the fruit/veg market. There may be more.
It has all been 'improved' and the stalls removed but it used to be a place of real character.
A
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Hi, incase you dont have this,
In 1924 William H Ferguson age 47 was a passenger on the Metina travelling 1st class as fruit salesman of 18 Queens St Liverpool, incoming from Tenerife on shipping line Elder and Fyffes.
1901 9 Adderley St Edge Hill with parents Samuel(fruit salesmen) and Sarah siblings George Hester and Samuel William was a Clerk in fruiteers office.
His father was still a fruit salesman 10 years later age 61 from the Gores 1911 directory living at 11 Adderley St Edge Lane.
I cant find him in the 1938 Directory for Liverpool but he may be in the St Helens area so maybe a look up for that area could be done.
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Many thanks to SusieKelly and Ainslie for rapid answers. All a great help.
I lived and worked in town in the 50s to 70s so went through the Queens Sq. market quite often and remember it well. Sadly I did not know any family history then and had never heard of the subject.
Jack P Ferguson born 1904 is thought to have had 2 marriages and the 2nd. was quite late in his life and his 2nd. wife was called ---- who may still be living! They lived in the Isle of Man at some time. I am working on this as my cousin is interested having known ----.
Thanks again Humphpaul
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I found a possible birth for Jack
John P Ferguson West Derby 1904, i cant find anything for Jack but then realised its usually John. ::)
Happy to have helped.
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Thanks again SusieKelly, yes I think thats the one as the P would be for Paul which was his mother's maiden name. Cheers Humphpaul
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Further to son Jack Ferguson. He did go to the Isle of Man with his second ? wife and died there in 1971. But he had not followed his father in the fruit trade.
I think there are relatives of his still there.
Thanks again for all the help, Humphpaul.
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Hi,
Just found your post while searching for the Banana King. If you are still interested in this, I've been building up my family tree on Ancestry.com and have posted some photos and notes on John Paul (Jack) Ferguson. If you have access to the website, the record is at:
http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/tree/76184891/person/32362370599
I believe that his father (WH) was the Banana King, in the fruit business based at least partly in Merthyr. I think Jack was a well known technical illustrator for Autocar magazine (a "cutaway" artist). There's an article on his work at: http://www.motoringart.info/pdf/Ferguson%20John.pdf
(also copied into ancestry record)
Peter
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was Edith Jane Paul from Portugese roots ??
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The Paul family tree for Edith Paul which I've seen on Ancestry leads to Renfrewshire, Scotland in the 1760s: I don't see any obvious Portuguese connection
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The reason I asked is I live in Garston,Liverpool and my neighbour is Samuel Paul and he told me his ancestors the Paul family came to Liverpool from Portugal and he was born in the area the Ferguson / Paul marriage was in....no problem ...just a chance he may have been connected.... :)
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Hello Peter Ferguson. Yes still doing tree and delighted to hear from you and see your tree on Ancesty where mine is also - under the name Alan Williams.
The info re the banana king came from my cousin Jean who knows more about the Fergusons as her mother passed on the info. Her Mother was Isabella Paul and she was close to Mary Paul who was the youngest sister of Edith. When the children were split up after their parents early deaths Mary became a part of the family of my grandparents John Paul and Elizabeth and became a sister of the family who was always known as Polly. She lived with them in Dunluce St. Walton and after their deaths continued to live with Isabella. i.e. Jeans mother.
I have two photos which Jean let me copy: one is a family group at the christening of the twins in 1952, which you probably have and the other is of their mother with the twins at Warwick show about 1960 which was taken by Jean. Purely by coincidence she met her there as Jean was working as matron at a school near there and they knew each other via the family. I have avoided using names as these people are probably still living
I will be phoning Jean on Monday evening and she will be pleased to hear all about this.
May I take some info. from your tree just on the Paul side. You are quite right about there being no Portuguese conection.
I will be in touch and glad to answer any queries if I can. Cheers Alan Williams (Humphpaul)
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Hi, Alan: many thanks for the information and do help yourself to anything from the tree. I'm working through my late father's collection of photographs and I'll ley you know if anything else turns up. Best wishes, Peter
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Just added date of death for William Holmes Ferguson (1937) and residence for John Paul Ferguson and his mother in 1937 (in Coventry)