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Thank you for the information. I have a fascination about Esther Ramsdale my great grandmother. I would be happy to share any information with you.

About April this year I went with my husband to Esther's grave in Wigan you were right it was in the non conformist section, the  shock when  we got though was there was no headstone but graves on either side had. On her grave instead taking up most of the grave space was the biggest oak tree, better than a headstone and it can be seen from everywhere. Obviously the funds didn't run to having her name  on a stone. The cemetery worker who was helping us said we could always put a plaque on the tree with her name on it. I did take a photograph which I will send you when I find it on my other computer.
On Edwin Ramsdale's birth certificate there was no father named and Esther registered the birth herself. Born  4 November 1881 at 57 School Lane.
Esther had a large family her parent's looked as though they had split up as in the 1881 census James Ramsdale her father 47 was a lodger at a fish shop 261 Scholes, with the Rigby's - William and Ellen (could be his daughter) and he had 2 sons Robert and Thomas with him. Not sure where his wife Alice was. So no one could take  Esther and baby in. She had an older sister Mary. On Esther's death certificate she died of pneumonia and her brother Thomas in attendance he would have been about 24 at the time. Who was the father? Why did Margaret help?   Regards  Janet

Trying to find out what happened to Jane Ramsdale she was 3 on the 1871 census and lived 20 Rigbys Yard Wigan. Her parents were James and Alice Ramsdale.  But on the 1881 census James was living as a lodger with his two sons Robert 11 and Thomas 6, 261 Scholes fish shop. But no mention of what happened to his wife Alice or his daughter Jane. His other children Mary A, Ellen and Esther (my great grandmother) I suppose  were old enough to fend for themselves. Who James was lodging with Ellen Rigby and her husband William might have been his daughter but her age does not quite match up with the 1871 census.  I am confused to say the least grateful for any help at all.

Looking for any information on a Margaret Oldfield born in Leigh 1836. In the 1901 Census in Wigan it was stated she had an adopted son Edwin Ramsdale, my grandfather. It is perplexing that someone unrelated adopted a 16 year old when his mother Esther had family. Have come to a brick wall. Many thanks.

Hello my name is Janet Garland (nee Ramsdale)  I am new to this website and have just found out you are searching for my grandfather Edwin Ramsdale. I have lots of information on him and of my great grandmother Esther. THere seems to quite some intrigue in the family. I started over a year ago but it became quite addictive. I know you haven't posted anything since 2007 but perhaps I could fill in the gaps? I am also intrigued why Margaret Oldfield would adopt a 16 year old Edwin who doesn't look as though he has blood ties and Esther did have siblings. But it looks like she wasn't married when she had Edwin  so maybe she was cast out?? Hope to hear from you.  Regards