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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: Jocie on Wednesday 29 January 14 10:04 GMT (UK)

Title: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Wednesday 29 January 14 10:04 GMT (UK)
I'm trying to find out what happened to my Father's eldest brother Frank (Francis) Ainsworth.

Born in Nelson Lancashire in 1889
1891/1901/1911 Census living at home. Worked as weaver in cotton mill.
His younger brother William Henry was killed in WW1 but I have failed to find a military record for Frank.
According to my Father there was some huge family falling out and he emigrated possibly to New Zealand. He also at some point may have changed his name to Hainsworth.
Not a lot to go on after 1911 but just wondered if anyone could help with any pointers to tracing him.

Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 29 January 14 10:22 GMT (UK)
A Frank Ainsworth, born 1889, in 1926 travelled from Southampton to Auckland?

(info on FindMyPast)

He was 37, a warehouseman, of Meadow Bottoms
(info on Ancestry)
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 29 January 14 10:48 GMT (UK)
A Frank Ainsworth born 26 May 1889 died 1974 in New Zealand. You can also check here for marriages.
https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/search/

There's a Probate File which might be for the same person-
AINSWORTH Frank - Christchurch - Public Servant
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/

Think it would be worth getting this topic moved to New Zealand board to see what else can be found there. Just click on 'report to moderator.'
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: ennael on Wednesday 29 January 14 11:29 GMT (UK)
Hi,
  Do you know Franks' parent names please?

Leanne
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Wednesday 29 January 14 11:43 GMT (UK)
KGarrad
How embarrassing I really shouldn't have somehow missed the name on the passenger list :-[
Many thanks for your help.

Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 29 January 14 11:46 GMT (UK)
Parents are Thomas Henry Ainsworth (b 1865, Blackburn) and Margaret A Ainsworth (1867, Ripon)
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Wednesday 29 January 14 11:49 GMT (UK)
aghadowey
Thanks you for your help I will check those sites and I have asked for it to be moved to the New Zealand board.

Leanna
His parents were Thomas Henry Ainsworth 1867-1941 and Margaret Ann Blakeborough 1866-1926

Thanks for all the help
Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Wednesday 29 January 14 11:49 GMT (UK)
Sorry. Our posts re parents crossed somewhere!
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 29 January 14 11:56 GMT (UK)
Since posting details earlier I found cemetery record for Frank Ainsworth died 1974 (and possible wife) and it says he was in N.Z. for 65 years- if that is correct then this isn't the person you are looking for. Do you have Frank's date of birth to compare to the death record I posted?
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:08 GMT (UK)
His birth was registered in Colne Burnley Lancashire in June 1889. I still searching for a baptism.
Most of the family were Non-Conformists and this makes them tricky to find sometimes.

Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:16 GMT (UK)
I found a possible marriage in 1930 to a Ethel Mabel Woodfield.
I will need to send for the certificate to find out more  details.
Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:22 GMT (UK)
In N.Z. or England? If England it might eliminate the N.Z. details already found (including passenger record).
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:28 GMT (UK)
The marriage was in New Zealand in 1930. If we the correct name on the passenger list he arrived in 1926.

Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:31 GMT (UK)
The 1926 arrival still possible then but how can you connect that Frank to that marriage? The cemetery record I found lists a different possible wife and the Archway site gives yet another possible wife? (which is not to say they are all the same Frank Ainsworth or that he couldn't have been married more than one- or not at all)
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:37 GMT (UK)
I'm working in the dark here as I can't connect them without obtaining the certificate and that could be an expensive mistake! My other concern is that my Father told me he may have changed his name to Hainsworth.  After he fell out with the family as far as my father knew he never contacted them again.  There is no one left now who would know anything.

Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:48 GMT (UK)
Wonder if ordering his birth certificate would help (since there's a date of birth on the N.Z. death record)?

Going back to 1926 passenger list- Meadow Bottom (Todmorton) is only about 13 miles from Nelson where you said he was born so that still looks promising. Occupation was warehouseman- does that also sound possible?

off to do some more searching...
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Wednesday 29 January 14 14:06 GMT (UK)
He and his whole family worked in the cotton mills and warehouseman was a necessary job in the mills.  I agree it was near enough to Nelson to be a possibility. 
Thanks for all you help I've never had a family member in New Zealand before so their sites are all new to me. I've only recently started on my side of the family and my husband's family usually emigrated to Canada or South Africa.

Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: minniehaha on Wednesday 29 January 14 18:27 GMT (UK)
Hello,

Might be a little late for this but rather than obtain a certificate from New Zealand BDM it is best to obtain a printout. These are cheaper, sometimes have more information than a certificate and can be e-mailed.

[Printouts are basically a photocopy of the original registration document.]

Minniehaha.
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 29 January 14 18:36 GMT (UK)
Hi Jo

I do believe that the Frank AINSWORTH (found by aghadowey  ;) ) - who died in Christchurch, NZ in 1974, is the man you are seeking.

And whilst the cemetery record tells that he had been in New Zealand for 70 years (arriving c. 1904), I would advise caution on that particular detail being 100% correct.  [Information on death records of course relies on the knowledge of a third party ... who may not necessarily be in possession of the correct facts. ] ;)

I'll post a link to the cemetery record shortly ... but in the meantime it seems very likely that this Frank AINSWORTH possibly married four times ?  ;D

More info to come in following posts >

  ~  Lu

Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Janette on Wednesday 29 January 14 18:37 GMT (UK)
A printout of this marriage will tell you one way or the other and this information is more accurate as it was given by the couple themselves,the info on a death printout is only as good as the informant and is often inaccurate e.g. 70 yrs in NZ might be incorrect


1930/3170 Ethel Mabel  Woodfield to Frank  Ainsworth 

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Janette on Wednesday 29 January 14 18:45 GMT (UK)
There is a UK marriage

Marriages Sep 1915   
Surname  First name(s)  Spouse  District  Vol  Page 

Ainsworth  Frank  Baxter  Lancaster  8e 1881   
Baxter  Susan C  Ainsworth  Lancaster  8e 1881
 
a NZ divorce for this couple

CAHX 3007 CH208/67  D1642/1929  Ainsworth, Frank v Ainsworth, Susan Cooper [marriage certificate]  1929   R  Chch

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 29 January 14 18:49 GMT (UK)
Frank AINSWORTH - marriages :

Yes, it would seem that he had a marriage in 1930 in New Zealand to an Ethel Mabel WOODFIELD.
A little searching found that she had been resident in Christchurch in 1928 (a spinster, living with her parents.)

What caught my attention though was that there was on the New Zealand Archives "Archway" website, a record of a divorce (ex Christchurch court) of a Frank AINSWORTH v. Susan Cooper AINSWORTH - 1929 ???
It became apparent that this couple had not married in New Zealand ... and Susan Cooper AINSWORTH (or other surname) appears not to have resided at any time in NZ.

FREE BMD (UK) has the following marriage :

MARRIAGE - SEP - 1915

AINSWORTH - Frank
BAXTER - Susan C.

Reg'd. at Lancaster (Lancs.)


It seems therefore that the NZ Divorce records relates to the Frank AINSWORTH who wed in the UK in 1915.   

    see next    >>

   ~  Lu

Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 29 January 14 18:57 GMT (UK)
Following up on New Zealand Electoral rolls.

Frank AINSWORTH first appears in NZ rolls in 1935 where he is residing with wife Ethel Mabel in the Nelson (South Island of NZ) area.   His occupation is given as "Male Nurse".   They're at Nelson also on the 1938 / 1946 and 1949 e/rolls (Frank has same occupation in those years too.)

In 1954 they're at Christchurch where Frank is recorded as a City Council employee.

Ethel Mabel AINSWORTH appears to have died in 1957 - aged 53 years.   Whilst I can't find a cemetery record for her, I think it's probable she died in Christchurch and was cremated.  (Cremation records don't appear on the Christchurch Cemeteries database.)

    see next   >>

     ~  Lu

Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 29 January 14 19:06 GMT (UK)
Frank AINSWORTH - other marriages :

In 1963 Frank AINSWORTH (now "retired") is living in the Sydenham electorate (Christchurch) and seemingly has a new wife, Laura.
[Unable to check for this marriage - after 1956 they need to viewed on microfiche - held at a local library.]

There is a death recorded for a Laura AINSWORTH in 1965 (aged 78 years - bc 1887).   She is buried in Christchurch.

It seems Frank "took the plunge" once more, following the death of Laura.

In 1969 (and 1972) he is residing at another Christchurch address - this time with Maud Edwards AINSWORTH, married.

And it is with Maud Edwards AINSWORTH (died 2002 aged 89 years), that Frank is buried.

    ~  Lu
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 29 January 14 19:10 GMT (UK)
Here is the link to the Christchurch Cemeteries database >

http://librarydata.christchurch.org.nz/Cemeteries/

Search on "AINSWORTH"

- Laura - d. February 1965

- Frank - d. 1974
- Maud Edwards - d. 2002

All buried at Ruru Cemetery.

     ~  Lu
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 29 January 14 19:16 GMT (UK)
Jo  ... there is also the possibility of children born to the union of Frank AINSWORTH and Susan Cooper BAXTER.

Please refer to the FREE BMD site for details.  ;)

   ~  Lu
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 29 January 14 19:59 GMT (UK)
Hi Jo

If you choose to purchase the 1930 NZ Marriage "printout" (cost about NZ$20.50), then it should contain the date of the Divorce (Decree Absolute). 
[Unfortunately because of the 100 year restriction, the actual Divorce file held at Archives NZ in Christchurch, is not able to be viewed without court permission. ]  See Archives NZ website for further details.
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/

   ~   Lu
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 29 January 14 20:06 GMT (UK)
P.S.   Can see a "Susan BAXTER" b.c. 1897 -  Nelson, Lancs. residing with parents at same place in 1911.   Occupation:   Cotton weaver.

In 1901 she's listed as "Susan E." (the "E" is possibly an error ? ), mother Clara, has same 2nd initial.  ???
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Janette on Wednesday 29 January 14 21:15 GMT (UK)
It appears that he came on his own in 1926

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11016-40441-28?cc=1609792&wc=M9WV-JZR:1727770912

Mr F Ainsworth

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Janette on Wednesday 29 January 14 21:30 GMT (UK)
I wonder if he had split from Susan by the time he came to NZ there are 4 children that may be his on FreeBDM

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Janette on Wednesday 29 January 14 21:35 GMT (UK)
This well may be a remarriage for Susan

Surname  First name(s)  Spouse  District  Vol  Page 

Marriages Jun 1939   
Ainsworth  Susan C  Wilkinson  Lancaster  8e 1784   
Wilkinson  Edwin  Ainsworth  Lancaster  8e 1784   

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 29 January 14 21:56 GMT (UK)
Jo  ... there is also the possibility of children born to the union of Frank AINSWORTH and Susan Cooper BAXTER.

Please refer to the FREE BMD site for details.  ;)

   ~  Lu

Hi again Jo

I deliberately left out publishing here the possible English births for AINSWORTH / BAXTER.  ;D

I'd think it probable that Frank came to NZ for a new life - he travelled under his birth name, and then re-married here in 1930, so apparently had nothing to hide.   And it would seem that he went to the effort of voiding his first marriage in order to marry Ethel Mabel WOODFIELD.
The (1930) "printout" should clarify things for you.

    ~   Lu 
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 29 January 14 22:47 GMT (UK)
Yes, some or all of the english Ainsworth/Baxter children could still be alive  :-\
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Janette on Wednesday 29 January 14 22:50 GMT (UK)
Yes, some or all of the english Ainsworth/Baxter children could still be alive  :-\

Deleted

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Thursday 30 January 14 09:05 GMT (UK)
Gosh what a huge amount of information you have found. I am very grateful. I am out now until later today but look forward to getting back and hopefully having time to study it all.
Thank you all so much

Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Friday 31 January 14 08:49 GMT (UK)
Thank you all so much for your help. I am working on the marriage to to Susan Cooper Baxter at the moment.  The marriage was in St Paul's Church Lancaster which is not an area that either of them were connected with as far as I can tell. I realise that they may have moved into the area but it may mean waiting for the arrival of their marriage certificate to establish if we have the correct Frank. This will take about ten days to arrive but I will post on here as soon as I have the details.
Everything else seems to fit so well :-\

Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Friday 31 January 14 11:36 GMT (UK)
Hi Lu
I found the baptism of Susan E Baxter daughter of Thomas and Clara E Baxter. She is Susan Elizabeth Baxter so we can rule her out >:(. Like you I thought the E on the census return could have been a C.
I'll try again and let you know if I find anything.
 
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Lucy2 on Monday 03 February 14 01:06 GMT (UK)
Hi Jo

Mmm ... she seemed at the time to be the most likely ... but good you've been able to eliminate her.  ;)
Yes do let us know of any updates ... we're always interested in "outcomes".  :)

   ~   Lu 
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Monday 03 February 14 07:52 GMT (UK)
Hi Lu
I posted on the Lancashire board and they were very helpful. Looks most likely she came over from Ireland.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=676029.0
I will let you know more but certificate won't be here until end of next week.
Thanks for you interest and help

Jo
Title: Re: Lost Uncle
Post by: Jocie on Sunday 09 February 14 10:48 GMT (UK)
I now have the marriage certificate for Frank Ainsworth's first marriage.
He married Susan Cooper Baxter age 23 on 27th September 1915.  St Paul's Church Scotforth Lancaster. 
Frank was working as an attendant in the Royal Albert Institution a residential home for children and adults with learning difficulties.
Susan's address was also the Royal Albert Institution but there was no occupation.
Her father was Alexander Baxter a mechanic.
This fits with the details on the Irish census returns so it looks as though we have correct details for his first marriage and later divorce.

Jo