PASSMORE - Barnstaple

[Michael Kift]

Hello,
Can someone help an old boy who is trying to help an even older cousin, now living in Australia, to trace an ancestors  who lived in Bodens Row, Barnstaple, (1861 Census)
Head of the family was Jane  Passmore (maiden name not known) a widow age 39 with four children aged from 12 to 4 years.
First name of her deceased husband is also unknown.
She was apparently running a dressmaking business, and her 9 year old son is listed as a 'lace machine boy'.
Any help or advice would be most welcome, and does anyone know where Bodens row is, (or was)
Thank you.
Mike

[Necromancer]

Here they are in 1851

HO107/1892; Folio: 355; Page: 43 - Barnstaple
Bell Meadow?
 

Geo Pasmore 28  Head Blacksmith Barnstaple
Jane Pasmore 25  Wife Bratton
Eliz Pasmore 2  dau Barnstaple
Richard Pasmore 1 Mo  son do
John Pasmore 19  Nephew Genl Labourer Bishops Taunton
John Fear 66  Visitor Mariner (Pauper) Gt Torrington

[Michael Kift]

Thank you Newfy,
That does seem to be them, did the ladies tend to be a bit shy about telling their age back in those days too?
Apart from the spelling of the surname (I understand this often varies)
and that Jane would have been 29ish in 1851,
the children seem to be about right, Eliz 2, becomes Elizabeth 12,
Richard 1 month, Richard 9.
Please what does HO 107/1892 etc refer to?
I am very new to this.
Very grateful for your help.
Kind regards,
Mike   

[Necromancer]

Hi Mike and a belated welcome.

The HO107 Refn is to the Census PIECE, Folio/Page - giving an exact index to the individuals enumerated on that page in that place.

PIECE is the District /Area/Town - the word comes from the collation of all the Pieces of paper involved in a District ....

see if you can view an original handwritten Enumerators page, twill give you insight into why spellings differ, and ages too sometimes !

[Michael Kift]

Thanks again Newfy,
I will continue the search, further back in time. I have been helped so much by another cousin from my fathers side of the family, who 'found' me online, that I feel I must help my 'Aussie' cousin, (despite the cricket debacle!) who is from my Mothers side.
Does the motorcycle outfit that is your Avatar do we say, have any significance?
I have owned a couple of Ariel Red Hunters, A Velocette Viper, An AJS 500 twin, and some offroaders  (DOT and Greeves) in my time. Last bike was a Yamaha in Brunei in 1966.
Thanks again for helping.
Mike

[Necromancer]

Hi again Mike - I too had a Red Hunter, a brace of Enfields, a Goldie, a Bonnie et all .... then moving up to the 90s and later include Kwacks, Hondas and now a Triumph (the new Hinckley breed)

[debbi2k]

Bodens Row was demolished in the 1950's as part of the slum clearance.The houses were built to house the lace workers from the factory which was right on their doorstep.Most families in Bodens Row and the general area had family members who worked in the factory(which still stands today and produces materials).A road now stands where the houses once where.

Belle Meadow was also demolised as part of the slum clearance in the 1850's and now a road and bus station are where the houses once stood.

Best Wishes

Debbi

[Michael Kift]

Thank you Debbi,
I live local to Barnstaple, and although born in Ilfracombe I spent most of my life away from the area, visiting only on holiday, and therefore there are large gaps in my knowledge of fairly recent changes.
The lace factory fits in well with the Passmore household occupations as listed in the 1861 census, dressmaker, worsted spinner, lace machine boy, and a 'lacewich pensioner', whatever that might be,aged 41.
Again my thanks to you.
Mike

[Necromancer]

Mike - twas a 'Greenwich Pensioner' - ex naval man I'd guess ....