Arthur Hobson my g.g.uncle was born in Ingbirchworth, Yorks in 1856. He was an apprentice joiner whilst living with his sister and her husband who was a butcher/joiner – which means he was really a joiner but had married into a butcher’s family! Arthur worked as a joiner most of his life, but in the 1890s decided he, too, would follow the family business. Obviously he didn’t enjoy it because he reverted to being a joiner.
George Frederick Cockett my g.uncle was born in 1879 in Manchester. He died in 1883, aged 4 from Measles.
William Brand my 2 x g.g.uncle was bapt in Sleaford, Lincs in 1814. He was named after another brother who was born and died in 1812 aged about 2 days. Unfortunately, the 2nd William died in 1824 aged 10.
Elizabeth Daintry my 8 x g.g.aunt was baptised in Haddenham, Cambs in 1637/8
Joseph Gaunt my 3 x g.g.uncle died in Denby Dale, Yorks in 1850. He was a farmer and was almost 90 when he died.
Jane Sharp my g.g.aunt died in Kingsley, Cheshire in 1915
John Dameron my 10 x g.g.grandfather died in Westerfield, Suffolk in 1596/97. He was Lord of the Manor of Westerfield. The manor house which had been left in trust to his wife was bequeathed to his grandson, the eldest son of his daughter Joan (known as Johanna) and her husband John Collett. Of course, I’m descended from the 6th child and 3rd son!
Jonathan Bagshaw my 7 x g.grandfather was buried in Bradfield, Yorkshire in 1721/22. I don’t know anything about him, apart from the fact that he fathered my 6 x g.g.grandfather Benjamin Bagshaw. I did visit Bradfield a couple of years ago, to see if I could find a gravestone, but although there are many gravestones in the church, most of them are illegible. I spoke to the friendly people in the pub, where we had a great lunch, but all they could tell me was that in past centuries, nearly everyone in the village was a Bagshaw or related to a Bagshaw.
Jonathan Middleton my 3 x g.grandfather was buried in Millom, Cumberland in 1877 aged 76. He had been an agricultural labourer throughout his adult life, yet his death certificate states he was a fisherman. I queried this on the Cumberland board and was told that near where he lived there were good fishing places and many retired men took up fishing and made a living from it, so I guess this is what must have happened with my 3 x g.grandfather.
Thomas Henry Cockett my grandfather was buried in Higher Blackley, Manchester in 1922, he was 44. As my mum was only 10 when he died, obviously, I never knew him. I’ve got a couple of photos of him and he looks very severe compared with 44 year old men today.
Thomas Boulton Benson my 1st cousin 3 times removed was buried in Dalton in Furness, Lancs in 1852, he was just over a year old when he died. Strangely he was the 1st cousin of my g.grandfather on his father’s side and also the 4th cousin of my g.grandfather on his mother’s side.