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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: aidansrest on Wednesday 16 April 25 16:15 BST (UK)
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Hi
Looking for any clues to solve this mystery!
Ann Grimes (Grime) born around 1852 in Liverpool - possible parents being John Grimes (Grime) and his wife, Ann or Hannah, possibly Howlett.
By 1881, Ann was in Blackburn using the surname, Woodhead and claiming to be married (no husband present).
She has a daughter with her, Margaret Ann, who had been born in Blackburn on the 17th March 1879, baptised on the 1st June - father named as John Woodhead a carter.
Ann had another child, son, Arthur, born on the 14th April 1882, baptised on the 20th May, father named as John Woodhead, a carter.
A final child, Jane, was born during the December quarter of 1890 - I can't find a baptism but she was a Woodhead/Grimes birth.
The family cannot be traced in 1891 or in 1901, but daughter, Margaret, married Robert Sanderson during the June quarter of 1903 (Blackburn) and is easily traced afterwards.
Arthur married Elizabeth Slater within St John the Evangelist, Blackburn on the 11th August 1906, leaving his father's name blank.
The witnesses included his brother-in-law, Robert Sanderson.
Arthur served with the Royal Engineers during World War One - but neither he nor his wife, appear on the 1911 census, nor does their first child appear to have been born until 1916 (Arnold) - sadly died the same year.
Gladys was born in 1919 and Bessie in 1921.
Arthur and Elizabeth were both still alive in 1939 and living in Blackburn using the surname of Woodhead.
So, where were the family in 1891 and 1901 and where was Arthur between his marriage in 1906 and 1939?
Can anybody suss it out?
Sue
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Just checked the witnesses again on Arthur's marriage certificate.
The other witness was Ellen Walker.
When I have checked the 1901 census, I've found her, with her mother, Ann Walker (Woodhead/Grimes), born c1855 in Liverpool, with children, Alfred H born in 1878, Margaret 1879 (married Robert Sanderson), Arthur, born 1883, Ellen, born 1886, and Jane, born 1890 - all the children are Blackburn.
So, a small break through!
Sue
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And in 1891, Ann appears to have been living with Walter Walker.
her children are named as Margaret Ann Walker aged 12 years, Arthur Walker, aged 9 years, Nellie Walker (Ellen) aged 5 years, and Jane, aged 7 months.
Living in Thompson Street, Witton, Blackburn - however, she gives her place of birth as Singleton Fells, Yorkshire - but it must be her!
Sue
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We're not allowed to give details of the 1921 census, but have a look at Arthur Woodhead Walker, wife Elizabeth with their 2 daughters in Blackburn.
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Yes, just spotted!
His sister, Ellen, was born during the March quarter of 1886, as Ellen Walker (mother's maiden name Grimes), but the next child, Jane, was born as Woodhead (mother's maiden name Grimes) in 1890.
All appear as Walker in 1891 and 1901.
Sue
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I assume you have Arthur's death in the last quarter of 1947. A new pension card for his widow at 38 Lancaster St seems to have been prepared on 4/12/47
1939 recorded DOB 1881
There is a burial for a Arthur Walker Woodhead 11th November 1947
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Margaret Ann Woodhead daughter of John and Ann Woodhead,
baptised St Mary the Virgin Blackburn, abode 62 Riley St,
and her brother was born at 59 Riley St which is empty in 1881, I see the family at 62 so they never moved very far,
1881 census Walter Walker a mason is only up the street at 117 Riley St, with his wife Mary J and children,