What happened to Mary?

[ssnowball]

I've hit a small brick wall in my family history research.

Mary Snowball was the third child of George and Mary Snowball, born in 1820 at Harlow Hill, near Ovingham, Northumberland. She was christened on 3rd October 1820 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Hexham.

In 1841, the Census for England shows a 21 year old Mary Snowball living at Marlborough Street, Westgate, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne with other family members. At this point in time, Mary Snowball lived with her mother, Mary (her father having died in 1840), her brothers James, John, William and Harrison and her younger sister, Jane. Mary is recorded as a dressmaker.

In 1855, according to Whelan's Gateshead & District Trade Directory, she was living at 42 Melbourne Street, Gateshead, working as a provisions dealer. (Her oldest brother, James, was recorded as a grocer on the 1841 census.)

However, I can find no trace of Mary beyond the 1841 Census. She may have married, however the only Mary Snowball that I can find, who married in the area, is the daughter of a Thomas Snowball. She married Richard Ord on 27th April 1843 in Hexham, therefore is unconnected to my tree.

Any help in tracking her down would be much appreciated.

Steve

[JenB]

How can you be sure that the Mary Snowball named in the Directory is the one you are searching for?

There is a Mary Snowball born 1796 in Allendale in Melbourn Street Gateshead in 1851 - occupation grocer - who is more likely the one in the Directory.   
HO 107 / 2402 / 47 / 28

Jennifer

[ssnowball]

Hi Jennifer

I was always prepared for the Directory reference being the 'red herring'. You're right that the other Mary is the most probable candidate for this reference.

This fact, at least now determines that it is possible that my Mary Snowball either died or married between the 1841 and 1851 census, rather than living in Gateshead up to 1855, when the directory was published.
Many thanks for this contribution.

Steve

[toni*]

possible deaths
(quite a few)

Deaths Mar 1841   
SNOWBALL  Mary    Hexham  25 230   

Deaths Sep 1841   
SNOWBALL  Mary     Hexham  25 182   

Deaths Jun 1842   
SNOWBALL  Mary     Hexham  25 194

   Deaths Dec 1842   
SNOWBALL  Mary     S. Shields  24 125

Deaths Dec 1845   
SNOWBALL  Mary Jane     Hull  22 271   

Deaths Mar 1847   
Snowball  Mary     Gateshead  24 133


Deaths Dec 1847   
Snowball  Mary     Morpeth  25 250


Deaths Dec 1849   
Snowball  Mary     Easingwold  24 293



 

[ssnowball]

Hi Toni

Many thanks for the contribution and time.
So far, I have limited my search on your suggested death dates to the area around Newcastle/ Gateshead because Mary's immediate family were living in the area and there is no plausible reason (other than a marriage) to suggest why she would leave (although I'm sure it is possible).
Of those suggestions you have kindly provided, I have already looked at a few but had been rather 'thrown' by the 1855 directory reference. Back on track now, with some useful gaps to fill.

Deaths Mar 1841   SNOWBALL  Mary    Hexham  25 230 (1841 Census taken on 6th June 1841 so this date will be too early)   

Deaths Sep 1841   SNOWBALL  Mary     Hexham  25 182     

Deaths Jun 1842    SNOWBALL  Mary     Hexham  25 194 (This is Mary Snowball, aged 55, widow of John Snowball, farmer)

Deaths Dec 1842   SNOWBALL  Mary     S. Shields  24 125

Deaths Dec 1845   SNOWBALL  Mary Jane    Hull  22 271  (Unlikely as christened Mary, not Mary Jane)

Deaths Mar 1847    Snowball  Mary     Gateshead  24 133 (This is Mary Snowball, aged 12,daughter of John Snowball, joiner)

Deaths Dec 1847   Snowball  Mary     Morpeth  25 250

Deaths Dec 1849   Snowball  Mary     Easingwold  24 293

Regards

Steve

[angelfish58]

Deaths Mar 1847    Snowball  Mary     Gateshead  24 133 (This is Mary Snowball, aged 12,daughter of John Snowball, joiner)

Steve

Ooh thank you, that looks like she's one of mine, they'd moved to Swalwell from Haydon Bridge. Sorry to butt in, can I ask which John Snowball it is in your avatar?

Barbara

[ssnowball]

Hi angelfish

The John Snowball, as my avatar, is my great great grandfather, born in Harlow Hill near Ovingham in 1822 and the son of George Snowball (1793-1840). He died in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex in 1901. He was a builder by trade and went on to have 9 children; one born in Gateshead, three in the USA (when the family briefly left England to avoid a bankruptcy proceeding at Newcastle's Court of Bankruptcy in 1850!) and the others in London, where he eventually lived.

The Mary Snowball that you might be connected to was a wrongly ordered death certificate. She died in Whickham in the registration district of Gateshead,  on 12 May 1847 aged 12 years. Reason for death given as Pulmonary Consumption (or Tuberculosis). Jane Snowball (presumably her mother) is recorded present at her death. I'm happy to send the certificate if useful.
Hope it helps!

Steve

[angelfish58]

Hi Steven, mine are the Corbridge/Haydon Bridge lot. My 3x great grandfather was John Snowball, joiner b1792. In 1841 the family were in Whickham district and the age for Mary would fit with Johns daughter Mary, Jane was her sister, their mother had died and John had remarried to a Mary Burn. I wasn't 100% sure of this until recently when I finally found them in 1841

I wonder if there's a connection between the Ovingham/Corbridge Snowballs, they seem to be in the same line of business, my Johns son John was a builder in Hexham (unless I've confused the two families  )

Thank you, I would really appreciate a scan of the certificate if that's possible, I'll PM you.
Barbara

[ssnowball]

Hi all

After the arrival of another certificate not related to my missing ancestor, the latest update as follows in red:
Deaths Mar 1841   SNOWBALL  Mary    Hexham  25 230 (1841 Census taken on 6th June 1841 so this date will be too early. Mary Snowball in my tree appears on the 1841 Census)   
Deaths Sep 1841   SNOWBALL  Mary     Hexham  25 182 (This is Mary Snowball, spinster, aged 65, died of cancer
Deaths Jun 1842    SNOWBALL  Mary     Hexham  25 194 (This is Mary Snowball, aged 55, widow of John Snowball, farmer)
Deaths Dec 1842   SNOWBALL  Mary     S. Shields  24 125
Deaths Dec 1845   SNOWBALL  Mary Jane    Hull  22 271  (Unlikely as christened Mary, not Mary Jane)
Deaths Mar 1847    Snowball  Mary     Gateshead  24 133 (This is Mary Snowball, aged 12,daughter of John Snowball, joiner)
Deaths Dec 1847   Snowball  Mary     Morpeth  25 250
Deaths Dec 1849   Snowball  Mary     Easingwold  24 293
Three more strikes to finally narrow the gap on the death date!
If anyone wants a scan or the copy of these superfluous death certificates drop me a PM and I'll post out to you.

Steve