How do I find out if an ancestor was exiled to Canada because of debt?

[lululisa]

Hi again

Does ancestry.ca give you access to the England and Wales National Probate Calender?  Robert Sander apparently had no will; Letters of Administration were granted to his widow Sarah in 1864 - his effects were valued at under £600.  Sarah did leave a will when she died in 1874, and probate was granted to John Liddell Sander of Manchester her son and John Atkinson of Stainton Miller (presumably your John) as Executors - her effects were valued at under £100.  While you probably would not get any more information from Robert's administration, Sarah's will might (or might not) tell you something new about the family.

Please forgive me if I sound like a newbie, but I have the above information for Sarah and Robert. How would I get a copy of Sarah's will? Is not the information from the Probate Calendar all there is? Or is there an actual will somewhere? My gr-gr-grandfather, John, was one of the executors by the way.
Also, I am going to be in England in July and will be visiting the Carlisle Archives Office while I am there. Are there any records I might find there that could help me find the truth?
Once again, thank you for the help.

Lisa

[lululisa]

From the above, the first paragraph is a quote and the second is my response.

[halhawk]

Hi Lisa

There will be an actual copy of Sarah's will. If you go to the site below it explains how to get a copy.  However, since Ancestry put the Calendar online it has taken longer than the 21 days it says - seems to be about 6 weeks on average.  Also I believe the charge has gone up to £6.00 per will.  There is possibly another problem for you being in Canada, in that they don't accept credit card payments - payment has to be by International Money Order, which I understand can add to cost considerably.

www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/1226.htm

The Archive Centre has local newspapers, and Parish Records, but your best bet would be to email them with an outline of what you are trying to find, and ask for their advice as to what records might be helpful.

Website  www.cumbria.gov.uk/archives/recordoffices/carec.asp
Email  carlisle.archives@cumbriacc.gov.uk


Best of luck and enjoy your visit
halhawk

[Charentais]

The Atkinsons were quiet a well-known milling family in Cumbria [Ref: Davies-Shiel, Mike (1978) Watermills of Cumbria, Clapham: Dalesman Books - (O/P)] and I have encountered them whilst researching my own milling ancestors (Robinsons & Clarks).

Dalemain Mill I have also encountered, as one of the Robinsons was there (possibly as an assistant) in about 1860 - possibly a bit later. Indeed - I came across this thread because I was researching Dalemain!

Several of my family also moved to Canada between 1890/1910.

I'll keep my eyes open for any reference to Atkinsons.

Andy

[Kincaid444]

Good morning all,

I came across this thread by chance when also researching Dalemain Mill - I live in Penrith which is just 3 of 4 miles east of Dalemain - whilst scoping out the local auction today I came across a nice little bible with a handwritten insertion to the effect it was owned by a Jane Graham, Dalemain Mill 1885.

Graham is a very local name in Cumbria and there are pages of Jane Grahams in the local census returns but the closest one I found near Dalemain was one in Dacre in 1901 and the same lady in Greystoke in 1891.

I may bid for the bible if I can be sure this is ther same lady.

Best regards - Kincaid

[lululisa]

An update. I found an article in the Carlisle Patriot that confirms there was a fire at a mill owned by a John Atkinson in 1886. I believe the article was in the paper July 9, 1886. Also, John and his family lived at 26 Aglionby Street Carlisle in the early 1880s. John had milled at Dalemain in 1881 according to the 1881 census.

[Kincaid444]

Good morning LuLu,

That's very interesting - I bid for the bible mentioned above and was successful, getting it for a ridiculously small sum - it is quite sad that lovely old bibles are even flung out or sold rather than being kept within the family - The Penrith fortnightly auctions are full of cardboard boxes containing the remnants of 19th century past lives

Regards,

Kincaid