William H Croasdale

[Elliven]

This gentleman was my great grandfather and is a bit of an enigma.  He died, aged 82, in 1955/56 when I was just about 6 years old - so I don't remember much about him.

I believe he was born in Cumberland but he seems to have spent much of his early life in the Burnley area of  Lancashire, working as a Vat cleaner in a local brewery and then as a sinker in the coal mines.

He came to the Craghead area of Stanley and I believe he married a local girl but I don't know her name and she died years before I was born.  He worked in the coal mines and was over 70 then retired and took a part time job as gardener for Doctor Melrose at Shafto House, Craghead right up to his death.  I believe he was born 13th April 1874 but the actual year is uncertain although the day and month is correct.

Someone has kindly given me a photograph of his wife - a photograph I have never seen before, and this has provoked my interest.  I believe they were married in the 1890s and they had 13 children - not all of whom survived.  My Grandmother was born on 29th November 1901 and her name was Emma Elizabeth - she was not the oldest.  Other children's names I have are Elsie, Margaret (aka Meg and Peg), Ernest and Ivy. 

Elsie lived in Burnley, Margaret married and went to live in London.  Ernest lived and died in Craghead.  Ivy also lived and died locally.  She was the youngest surviving child, born c1920.

I am now the oldest surviving member of the family, so I have no one to ask about the family.  I know this is mission impossible but I have to try.  Can anyone please help?  Many thanks

Neville Bougourd

[manukarik]

In the 1939 Register there is a William H Croasdale (widower - Coal Miner Shifter, heavy work) born 13 April 1874 and living at 68 Thomas Street, Stanley and Ivy Croasdale (single, Confectionery Factory Worker) born 18 December 1920. Her surname has been subsequently updated to Ellison.

You'd need to look at this Death Certificate to see, if it's him:
First name(s) William H
County Durham
Last name Croasdale
Volume 1A
Sex Male
Page 468
Birth year 1874
Country England
Age 82
Record set England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007
Death quarter 2
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Death year 1956
Subcategory Civil Deaths & Burials
District Durham North Western

[Pennines]

There was an Ivy Croasdale who's birth was registered Q/E March 1921 in Lanchester Reg Dist. (She had been born in Dec 1920 - according to 1939 Register.)

Mother's maiden name was Pullen. (Also Ivy married a Robert Ellison in Durham later - which fits with
manukarik's findings.

We need to confirm the maiden name of other children - then look for a marriage for William.

[manukarik]

1921 Census for 34 Kimberley Tce, Craghead, Co Durham (apologies for formatting)

William   Croasdale   Head   Male   1872   49   Burnley, Lancashire, England   Coal Miner Hewer   "coal Owners" (Out Of Work) Thos Hedley & Bros

Adelina   Croasdale   Mother   Female   1876   45   St Helens, Lancashire, England   Home Duties
   -
Ernest   Croasdale   Son   Male   1904   16   Durham, Durham, England   "driver Underground"   Thos Hedley & Bros "coal Owners" (Out Of Work)

Elsie   Croasdale   Daughter   Female   1908   12   Durham, Durham, England   -   -

Maggie   Croasdale   Daughter   Female   1911   9   Durham, Durham, England   -
   -
Ivy   Croasdale   Daughter   Female   1921   -   Durham, Durham, England   

[manukarik]

Possible birth of William:

First name(s) William Henry
Country England
Last name Croasdale
Volume 8E
Birth registration year 1874
Page 231
Registration quarter 2

Mother's maiden name Wilkinson

District Burnley
County Lancashire

[manukarik]

Possible marriage for William:

First name(s) William Henry
Country England
Last name Croasdale
Volume 8E
Marriage quarter 3
Volume as transcribed 8E
Marriage year 1896
Page number 440

married Adelina Bullen

District Burnley

County Lancashire
 

[Pennines]

According to the 1921 Census William was born in Burnley and his wife - Adelina was born in St Helens. They are living in Craghead, Durham at that point.

[Pennines]

Adelina died in 1938, Lanchester Reg District - shown as aged 59.

[Elliven]

Thank you manucarik,

This is definitely my family and you have confirmed exact dates.  Ivy married Robert Ellison and emigrated to South Africa but returned when she became pregnant and a divorce followed.  I don't remember that because I was only two years old at the time.  It was her daughter who found the photo and gave me a copy.  Her father came to live with us when she emigrated.

That was a very quick and encouraging answer so I am off to a good start!  Thanks again.

Neville