Thursday, 21 June 2012
Family trees online.
There are several family trees online on Ancestry. Especially good one is The Jensen Family Tree.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Richard + Ann family
Richard and Ann christened their children at St Thomas the details are on opc site. Maria's is not online yet.
(married 17 Aug 1840 Eccles)
THOMAS COOPER c. 31 Jan 1841
RICHARD COOPER c. 1 Jan 1843
JOHN COOPER c. 20 April 1845
JAMES COOPER c. 1 Aug 1847
buried 20 Sep 1850
GEORGE COOPER c. 23 Sep 1849
JAMES COOPER c. 23 Now 1851
MARY COOPER c. 12 Mar 1854
ELIZABETH COOPER c. 20 Jul 1856
JAMES COOPER c. 22 May 1859*
ANN COOPER c. 28 April 1861
Maria Cooper
all the entries follow the same pattern
child of Richard Cooper and Ann
abode Pendleton
occupation collier
*I think this may have been Joseph rather than James.
Using the Lancashire BMD site there are births registered in the correct year under Salford, Pendleton for all the children above except for 1859 when there is a birth for Joseph Cooper but not a James.
Deaths are not online on this site yet for Salford. But the freebmd site has a death for Joseph Cooper in Salford in 1859.
(married 17 Aug 1840 Eccles)
THOMAS COOPER c. 31 Jan 1841
RICHARD COOPER c. 1 Jan 1843
JOHN COOPER c. 20 April 1845
JAMES COOPER c. 1 Aug 1847
buried 20 Sep 1850
GEORGE COOPER c. 23 Sep 1849
JAMES COOPER c. 23 Now 1851
MARY COOPER c. 12 Mar 1854
ELIZABETH COOPER c. 20 Jul 1856
JAMES COOPER c. 22 May 1859*
ANN COOPER c. 28 April 1861
Maria Cooper
all the entries follow the same pattern
child of Richard Cooper and Ann
abode Pendleton
occupation collier
*I think this may have been Joseph rather than James.
Using the Lancashire BMD site there are births registered in the correct year under Salford, Pendleton for all the children above except for 1859 when there is a birth for Joseph Cooper but not a James.
Deaths are not online on this site yet for Salford. But the freebmd site has a death for Joseph Cooper in Salford in 1859.
The Collier/Bromily families.
1871 14 Whit Lane
Ann Cooper 49 widow b. Bolton
Richard 28 collier coal miner b. Pendleton
John 25 collier coal miner b. Pendleton
George 21 stone mason b. Pendleton
James 19 maker up or packer b. Pendleton
Mary 17 cotton weaver b. Pendleton
Elizabeth 14 cotton weaver b. Pendleton
Ann 9 b. Pendleton
Maria 7 b. Pendleton
Mary Bromiley mother widow 70 b. Bolton
possible death for Mary Bromley age 74 Salford MarQ 1875
I have not been able to track down probate for Mary.
1881 36 Whit Lane
Ann Cooper widow 59 b. Harrold Leigh??
George 31 no occupation b. Pendleton
Elizabeth 24 b. Pendleton
Ann 19 cotton weaver b. Pendleton
Maria 17 dress maker b. Pendleton
From probate 1887 Ann Cooper late of Lower Broughton road, widow died 10 Dec 1886 to George Cooper of Lower Broughton road, Gentleman the son £56 16s and 3d.
So sometime between 1881 and 1886 the family moved across the river to Lower Broughton road.
........................................................
MARY was the mother of Ann, it appears she was married to a Thomas Bromiley. So I looked for a marriage.
St. Peter Bolton
17 November 1823
Thomas Bromiley
Mary Collier
(no other information, taken from opc site)
If Ann's age on the census is correct she was born in 1822 before this marriage so she was Thomas's stepdaughter.
Going back to christenings at St Thomas Pendleton there is
28 September 1834 Elizabeth Brammeley
daughter of Thomas and Mary
Pendleton
miner
On the 1841 census there is also a Thomas Bromiley 15 ( so born between 1826-1822) living with the family on Whit Lane.
I think his christening might be an important clue.
From the opc site.
St Anne TOTTINGTON
c. 11 Jul 1824
born 18 Dec 1823
Thomas Bromley son of Thomas and Mary
abode PENDLETON
occupation miner
Who then had the connection to Tottington? I don't know that area at all. But it is some distance from Pendleton. It suggests a pretty strong tie to the area- possibly family still living in that area?
It also lets us know that the Bromiley family were living in Pendleton by 1823. As the coal mine was sunk in the 1820s I expect Thomas came to find work there. Both the names Bromiley and Collier are common.
There was someone else also living with the family Abraham Collier.
St. Anne Tottington
c. 16 Jun 1821
born 28 Nov 1819
Abraham Collier son of Abraham and Lissey
Long Houses
Miner
his parents married at St Peter Bolton 1 April 1816
AND was this Ann's christening?
St. Anne Tottington
c. 21 Sept 1822
born 20 Mar 1822
Ann Collier daughter of Mary Collier
New Hoils
weaver
The problem is that various birthplaces are given on the census for Ann - Bolton and Leigh are separate places but the Leigh might refer to a more local place name and not the parish of Leigh. She might also have been born elsewhere and christened after moving to Tottington. So it is possible that Abraham is a relative just not sure what.
Ann Cooper 49 widow b. Bolton
Richard 28 collier coal miner b. Pendleton
John 25 collier coal miner b. Pendleton
George 21 stone mason b. Pendleton
James 19 maker up or packer b. Pendleton
Mary 17 cotton weaver b. Pendleton
Elizabeth 14 cotton weaver b. Pendleton
Ann 9 b. Pendleton
Maria 7 b. Pendleton
Mary Bromiley mother widow 70 b. Bolton
possible death for Mary Bromley age 74 Salford MarQ 1875
I have not been able to track down probate for Mary.
1881 36 Whit Lane
Ann Cooper widow 59 b. Harrold Leigh??
George 31 no occupation b. Pendleton
Elizabeth 24 b. Pendleton
Ann 19 cotton weaver b. Pendleton
Maria 17 dress maker b. Pendleton
From probate 1887 Ann Cooper late of Lower Broughton road, widow died 10 Dec 1886 to George Cooper of Lower Broughton road, Gentleman the son £56 16s and 3d.
So sometime between 1881 and 1886 the family moved across the river to Lower Broughton road.
........................................................
MARY was the mother of Ann, it appears she was married to a Thomas Bromiley. So I looked for a marriage.
St. Peter Bolton
17 November 1823
Thomas Bromiley
Mary Collier
(no other information, taken from opc site)
If Ann's age on the census is correct she was born in 1822 before this marriage so she was Thomas's stepdaughter.
Going back to christenings at St Thomas Pendleton there is
28 September 1834 Elizabeth Brammeley
daughter of Thomas and Mary
Pendleton
miner
On the 1841 census there is also a Thomas Bromiley 15 ( so born between 1826-1822) living with the family on Whit Lane.
I think his christening might be an important clue.
From the opc site.
St Anne TOTTINGTON
c. 11 Jul 1824
born 18 Dec 1823
Thomas Bromley son of Thomas and Mary
abode PENDLETON
occupation miner
Who then had the connection to Tottington? I don't know that area at all. But it is some distance from Pendleton. It suggests a pretty strong tie to the area- possibly family still living in that area?
It also lets us know that the Bromiley family were living in Pendleton by 1823. As the coal mine was sunk in the 1820s I expect Thomas came to find work there. Both the names Bromiley and Collier are common.
There was someone else also living with the family Abraham Collier.
St. Anne Tottington
c. 16 Jun 1821
born 28 Nov 1819
Abraham Collier son of Abraham and Lissey
Long Houses
Miner
his parents married at St Peter Bolton 1 April 1816
AND was this Ann's christening?
St. Anne Tottington
c. 21 Sept 1822
born 20 Mar 1822
Ann Collier daughter of Mary Collier
New Hoils
weaver
The problem is that various birthplaces are given on the census for Ann - Bolton and Leigh are separate places but the Leigh might refer to a more local place name and not the parish of Leigh. She might also have been born elsewhere and christened after moving to Tottington. So it is possible that Abraham is a relative just not sure what.
Having looked again at the evidence with that of Abraham Collier I now believe that Ann was born at "Harwood Lee" which is between Bolton and Tottington - found using google map.
.................................................................................
Back to the census can we find out any more clues?
Lets look at son Thomas Bromiley first.
I have only managed to find him in 1861 Whit Lane
Thos. Bromley 37 collier b. Charlestown
Mary Bromley 38 cotton weaver b. Over Hulton
There is a death registered for Thomas Bromiley age 46 in Salford DecQ 1870
There is also a probate entry which I think is his.
1870 Effects under £50
Letters of administration of Thomas Bromley late of Lissadel-street Pendleton Beer retailer died 6 Nov 1870 to Mary Bromley of 29 Lissadel street the widow.
Then there is this extract from The Manchester Guardian Nov 17 1870
Special licensing sessions (Salford Town Hall)
The following beerhouse transfers were allowed :-
Robin Hood, Lissadel-street, from the administratrix of the late Thomas Bromiley to Mary Bromiley
and further down the same page
The following music licences were granted:-
Abraham Collier Royal Oak Whit Lane
(There is a photo online google 209 Royal Oak Whit Lane on Flickr site, it was demolished in the 70s)
...............................................................................
Now what about Abraham Collier?
1851 Whit Lane Miners Row
Abraham Collier 33 coal miner born Bolton
E (this page is badly damaged)
1861 53 Whit Lane
Abraham Collier 42 coal miner b. Torrington (should this be Tottington?)
Elizabeth 40 b. Bolton
1871 55 Whit Lane
Abraham Collier 52 Beerhouse keeper Leigh in Bolton
Elizabeth 50 b Bolton
Richard Isherwood boarder 12 monitor teacher b Pendleton
There is a death registered in Salford for Abraham Collier age 57 in JunQ 1875
I think possibly Abraham Collier married an Elizabeth Roscoe in Chorlton in 1843.
His probate entry is 1875 effects under £450 Abraham Collier late of 55 Whit Lane Beerhouse keeper died 11 May 1875 to James Hookham of Ivy Cottage Urmston Gentleman and James Henry Stringfellow of 32 John St Pendleton Joiner the nephew.
(I think the Stringfellow connection is through Elizabeth Roscoe? another Roscoe married a Stringfellow)
Also Manchester Times May 15 1875
leave was given to transfer licensed victuallers' licenses as follows
Royal Oak, Whit Lane, Pendleton, Abraham Collier to Noah R Stringfellow
.................................................................................
Back to the census can we find out any more clues?
Lets look at son Thomas Bromiley first.
I have only managed to find him in 1861 Whit Lane
Thos. Bromley 37 collier b. Charlestown
Mary Bromley 38 cotton weaver b. Over Hulton
There is a death registered for Thomas Bromiley age 46 in Salford DecQ 1870
There is also a probate entry which I think is his.
1870 Effects under £50
Letters of administration of Thomas Bromley late of Lissadel-street Pendleton Beer retailer died 6 Nov 1870 to Mary Bromley of 29 Lissadel street the widow.
Then there is this extract from The Manchester Guardian Nov 17 1870
Special licensing sessions (Salford Town Hall)
The following beerhouse transfers were allowed :-
Robin Hood, Lissadel-street, from the administratrix of the late Thomas Bromiley to Mary Bromiley
and further down the same page
The following music licences were granted:-
Abraham Collier Royal Oak Whit Lane
(There is a photo online google 209 Royal Oak Whit Lane on Flickr site, it was demolished in the 70s)
...............................................................................
Now what about Abraham Collier?
1851 Whit Lane Miners Row
Abraham Collier 33 coal miner born Bolton
E (this page is badly damaged)
1861 53 Whit Lane
Abraham Collier 42 coal miner b. Torrington (should this be Tottington?)
Elizabeth 40 b. Bolton
1871 55 Whit Lane
Abraham Collier 52 Beerhouse keeper Leigh in Bolton
Elizabeth 50 b Bolton
Richard Isherwood boarder 12 monitor teacher b Pendleton
There is a death registered in Salford for Abraham Collier age 57 in JunQ 1875
I think possibly Abraham Collier married an Elizabeth Roscoe in Chorlton in 1843.
His probate entry is 1875 effects under £450 Abraham Collier late of 55 Whit Lane Beerhouse keeper died 11 May 1875 to James Hookham of Ivy Cottage Urmston Gentleman and James Henry Stringfellow of 32 John St Pendleton Joiner the nephew.
(I think the Stringfellow connection is through Elizabeth Roscoe? another Roscoe married a Stringfellow)
Also Manchester Times May 15 1875
leave was given to transfer licensed victuallers' licenses as follows
Royal Oak, Whit Lane, Pendleton, Abraham Collier to Noah R Stringfellow
Whit Lane
There is still a Whit Lane today but the area was redeveloped.
It lies at the bottom of a hill and is near the River Irwell.
I am not sure about the following but I think the first industrial development was a cotton mill notorious for using child slave labour - the owner of this William Douglas died in 1810 (from information board along River Irwell walk) hence the local name Douglas Green. The coal mine was sunk in the 1820s. St Thomas Church was at the top of the hill, at that time it was a chapel of ease - thats where they went to church, could have their children christened but could not marry there. They had to go to the mother or parish church which was Eccles. Thats about a 50 min walk. Whit Lane in the early 1800s would have been a separate settlement surrounded by countryside. Its about a 40 min walk into Manchester.
As the population of Salford rapidly increased more churches were built. I love the following sites- genuki and the "Lancashire Online Parish Clerk Project" you can find lovely photos of the churches and info. St Thomas was rebuilt 1831 and a more local church St Georges was built on Whit Lane in 1858.
Registers for local churches are available on film at Manchester Library and from their lists it would appear that marriages for St Thomas began in 1839, hmm wonder why they went to Eccles then?
There is a brilliant site being developed with old maps of Manchester/Salford, on some of them you can just about see the Whit lane area (I think the earliest one was the Bartholomew 1870) it gives you an idea of what the area was like. And of course you can see the area today using google maps. The old maps can be found at http://manchester.publicprofiler.org (found through a posting on the rootschat site).
Monday, 18 June 2012
Richard Cooper from Darwen
We have very little information about Richard Cooper. We know that he married at Eccles in 1840, that he was a coal miner, his father (from marriage) was also called Richard Cooper a farmer and that in 1841 he was living on Whit Lane with his wife's family.
The family are missing from the 1851 census which is not surprising as these records for the area are damaged.
However the 1861 census gives us another clue. (This one is difficult to read)
52 Whit Lane
Richard Cooper 47 collier coal miner born LOWER DARWEN
Ann 39 born Heywood?Lee?* correction pointed out by Ted
Thomas 20 cotton cloth bleacher ? born Charlestown
Richard 18 collier coal ? born Charlestown
John 16 collier coal ? born Charlestown
George 11 cotton cloth bleacher ? born Charlestown
Thomas 9 cotton cloth bleacher ? born Charlestown
Mary 7 born Charlestown
Elizabeth 4 born Charlestown
Mary Bromley lodger widow 60 proprietress of houses ? Harwood ? Ley?*
(*is this Leigh?)
In 1871 Ann is a widow so Richard probably died between 1861 and 1871 possibly one of the deaths registered in Salford in either SepQ 1863 or DecQ 1864.
I have not been able to track down a christening for Richard born sometime between 1810 and 1820, but from previous research about the Darwen area that too is not surprising - it was an area of dissenters at a time of unrest with people moving about.
As Ted has pointed out the age of Richard does not match to the 1841 census where he is "20", but the common rule in that census is that adults ages were rounded down to the nearest 5 years so that would suggest he was aged between 20 and 24 so if he had said 24 that would make a 3 year difference by 1861. The fact that they gave an exact age for Ann in 1841 also shows variation in how the census was carried out. My feeling about this census is that it was the first time that they had undertaken such a detailed one, how accurate it is depended partly on who the enumerator was - in rural communities he probably knew all the families he was writing about whereas in urban communities they were probably unknown to him. I have read that some of the enumerators were unhappy when they were doing the job because there was more work than they thought and the pay was low so how conscientious an enumerator was must also have played a part. Again too as I understand it the enumerator collected the information from the households then that was copied up - so who gave the information from the household? in this case was it Thomas Bromiley, perhaps he gave the wrong age for Richard, perhaps he guessed. He would have more likely known the exact age of his "daughter". In the 1861 census can we assume that it was Richard himself who was giving the information and that this is more likely to be his age? So all in all there are many errors in census information so a mismatch of some information can be accepted.
As Ted has pointed out the age of Richard does not match to the 1841 census where he is "20", but the common rule in that census is that adults ages were rounded down to the nearest 5 years so that would suggest he was aged between 20 and 24 so if he had said 24 that would make a 3 year difference by 1861. The fact that they gave an exact age for Ann in 1841 also shows variation in how the census was carried out. My feeling about this census is that it was the first time that they had undertaken such a detailed one, how accurate it is depended partly on who the enumerator was - in rural communities he probably knew all the families he was writing about whereas in urban communities they were probably unknown to him. I have read that some of the enumerators were unhappy when they were doing the job because there was more work than they thought and the pay was low so how conscientious an enumerator was must also have played a part. Again too as I understand it the enumerator collected the information from the households then that was copied up - so who gave the information from the household? in this case was it Thomas Bromiley, perhaps he gave the wrong age for Richard, perhaps he guessed. He would have more likely known the exact age of his "daughter". In the 1861 census can we assume that it was Richard himself who was giving the information and that this is more likely to be his age? So all in all there are many errors in census information so a mismatch of some information can be accepted.
.........................................................
However, it could be that Richard has a sister.
At that time people from Darwen had to travel to Blackburn to marry in the parish church.
St Mary Blackburn - marriage 12 Apr 1841
William Yates X labourer (father George weaver)
MARIA COOPER X (father RICHARD farmer)
witnesses no help
This Maria was also christened at St Mary Blackburn
19 Feb 1815 Maria Cooper daughter of Richard Cooper and Mary
abode Over Darwen, Farmer
I have not found a marriage between Richard Cooper and Mary.
In 1841 the newlyweds were living in Darwen with
James Cooper 43 labourer
Alice 45
Henry 9 Collier
William 6
William Yates 26 Publican
MARIA YATES 24
What connection is James Cooper?
There is another tie in to this family which suggests to me that Richard Cooper from Whit lane kept in contact with family in the Darwen area -
Darwen St John marriage 28 Sep 1875
John Cooper 32 collier, bachelor of Pendleton, father Richard collier
Margaret Ann Yates X 32 weaver spinster of Sandhill father William Quarryman
witnesses Amos Bentley and Hester Bentley
so Richard's son married Maria's daughter
Ted has also spotted that this age does not match up with John's age elsewhere, will look at this again later.
Ted has also spotted that this age does not match up with John's age elsewhere, will look at this again later.
1871 Bolton Road, Over Darwen
William Yates 57 widow Quarryman
Alice 26 Cotton weaver
Esther 24 Cotton weaver
George W 23 cotton weaver
Margaret A 29 cotton weaver
Betsy 16 domestic servant
Thomas 14 cotton weaver
George R. 7 grandson
...................................................
Now the following is PURE SPECULATION - it is most likely not true but I shall put it on here anyway as one possibility - from Jimmys research I had a possible family
Richard Cooper 1765-1828
Betty Duxbury 1763-1811
possible children (no marriage has been found )
Thurston Cooper 1783
William Cooper 1785
Betty Cooper 1787
Joseph Cooper 1789
Benjamin Cooper 1789
Betty Cooper 1790
Richard Cooper 1793 - 1822
James Cooper 1798
George Cooper 1804
Joseph Cooper 1809
Could Richard and Maria be the children of Richard Cooper 1793-1822?
Could the James that Maria lived be this Richards brother and so be her uncle?
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Cooper family of WHIT LANE
I did some family research for my neighbour some years ago. As the 1911 census has become searchable on Ancestry I decided to see if I could find his mother and trace her family. I followed the family back to 1841 census. This Cooper family has lived in the same area of Salford since that time and image my surprise to find that the instigator of this family in Salford hailed from DARWEN (1861 census) and that his name was RICHARD COOPER. As you can see I have already researched a Cooper family in the Darwen area for our dear friend Jimmy, I stopped that research when a nephew of Jimmys took over the research. I have no proof yet but what a coincidence if my neighbour and Jimmy are related !!!
As usual I have become distracted along the way, the research has broadened out to cover three families which may or may not be related but are connected by the 1841 census - in that they lived on the same road, had the same occupation and two of them witnessed each others marriages. I was interested to see where the families would end up and if they shared a similar outcome. Along the way I discovered a very interesting person George Cooper, but I am also fascinated by the ordinary people and wonder about their lives it is just that there is so little evidence for them. Once again I have been looking at the harsh life of the coal miners, such admiration for these brave souls without whom no industrial revolution would have happened and to my mind have not received the recognition that they deserve. I have also learned a lot more about the local history of Salford, some of which I shall post on my Salford blog I think. But as usual I am left with a lot of unanswered questions.
Please do not take this work as absolute proof of the trees suggested. I readily recognise that I make many mistakes and in particular are prone to making assumptions. I welcome suggestions and am open to changing my mind about things.
....................................................
This work is confined to pre 1911 except for reference to WW1 records.
It is mainly based on census info from Ancestry, the brilliant Lancashire opc site, the Gale newspaper site, and of course google.
....................................................
The starting point.
1841 Whit Lane
Thomas Blomeley 40 coal miner
Mary 40
Thomas 15
Richard Cooper 20 coal miner
Ann 19
Thomas 5m
Abraham Collier 20 coal miner
same page
(transcribed under Stoughtley)
Thomas Stringfellow 60 labourer
Mary 65
Noah 25 collier
Henry 25 collier
Charles 20 collier.
All were born in Lancashire.
At the moment I do not think the Stringfellow family were related to the Collier, Bromiley or Cooper family however I could be wrong. I think they all worked in the same coal mine. I think Henry Stringfellow and Richard Cooper were friends because they witnessed each others marriages. At that time people in Pendleton had to travel to marry at a parish church, ususally Eccles.
Richard Cooper married on 17 August 1840 at St Mary Eccles Anne Collier, both made their mark and came from Pendleton. His father was given as Richard Cooper farmer and the witness was Henry Stringfellow.
Henry Stringfellow a collier married on 30 January 1843 at St Mary Eccles Eliza Greenhalgh she made her mark and they came from Worsley. His father was Thomas Stringfellow boatman and the witness was Richard Cooper.
The other witnesses at these marriages appear to be church witnesses ie they witnessed a lot of marriages.
How did these two households fare in the years to come?
As usual I have become distracted along the way, the research has broadened out to cover three families which may or may not be related but are connected by the 1841 census - in that they lived on the same road, had the same occupation and two of them witnessed each others marriages. I was interested to see where the families would end up and if they shared a similar outcome. Along the way I discovered a very interesting person George Cooper, but I am also fascinated by the ordinary people and wonder about their lives it is just that there is so little evidence for them. Once again I have been looking at the harsh life of the coal miners, such admiration for these brave souls without whom no industrial revolution would have happened and to my mind have not received the recognition that they deserve. I have also learned a lot more about the local history of Salford, some of which I shall post on my Salford blog I think. But as usual I am left with a lot of unanswered questions.
Please do not take this work as absolute proof of the trees suggested. I readily recognise that I make many mistakes and in particular are prone to making assumptions. I welcome suggestions and am open to changing my mind about things.
....................................................
This work is confined to pre 1911 except for reference to WW1 records.
It is mainly based on census info from Ancestry, the brilliant Lancashire opc site, the Gale newspaper site, and of course google.
....................................................
The starting point.
1841 Whit Lane
Thomas Blomeley 40 coal miner
Mary 40
Thomas 15
Richard Cooper 20 coal miner
Ann 19
Thomas 5m
Abraham Collier 20 coal miner
same page
(transcribed under Stoughtley)
Thomas Stringfellow 60 labourer
Mary 65
Noah 25 collier
Henry 25 collier
Charles 20 collier.
All were born in Lancashire.
At the moment I do not think the Stringfellow family were related to the Collier, Bromiley or Cooper family however I could be wrong. I think they all worked in the same coal mine. I think Henry Stringfellow and Richard Cooper were friends because they witnessed each others marriages. At that time people in Pendleton had to travel to marry at a parish church, ususally Eccles.
Richard Cooper married on 17 August 1840 at St Mary Eccles Anne Collier, both made their mark and came from Pendleton. His father was given as Richard Cooper farmer and the witness was Henry Stringfellow.
Henry Stringfellow a collier married on 30 January 1843 at St Mary Eccles Eliza Greenhalgh she made her mark and they came from Worsley. His father was Thomas Stringfellow boatman and the witness was Richard Cooper.
The other witnesses at these marriages appear to be church witnesses ie they witnessed a lot of marriages.
How did these two households fare in the years to come?
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