East of London Family History Society (EoLFHS) - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: FARTHING BUNDLES

cross_stephen56 — 2013-05-20 09:59:02Z

Hi,I lived in fern street,I have film of farthing bundles got it on you tube
Will find title and email to you,brilliant brings back lots of memories,
Remember the nags head well went to school next door,
St Paul's way
If you remember the farthing bundles arch ,I am just having one made for grandchildren and will use it at school events ,explains to children what it is all about
These where the words above arch
Enter all ye children small none can come who are too tall
Hope this brings back some nice memories
Keep in touch I have lots of stories,will try to find out where box street was for you,Steve cross

Re: FARTHING BUNDLES

ann_llimos — 2013-05-19 20:14:02Z

Thanks for that.My Grandfather's name was Harry Spicer.The family also lived opposite the Widows Son pub.Before the war my mum worked in a Rope Factory in Campbell Road.Her sister lived and worked in a bakers on the corner of Devons Road and Bow Common Lane.We lived opposite St Andrews Hospital by Bromley By Bow station.My parents moved out to Essex like me, when they demolished their block of flats.The last time I passed that way there was just the maternity wing of the hospital standing I was born there.I wish I had a camera with me at the time.I have also lived in France my husband is French.We are now retired to Devon.
Regards Ann

Re: FARTHING BUNDLES

geodonovan — 2013-05-19 18:53:13Z

Hello Again; I am on holiday at my daughters residence in France at the moment, But when I return I will look up a 1914 street map that I have of the area which will tell you of the streets that once were. Im pretty sure I know where Box Street was. I was born in Hawgood Street which Is still there and Box Street was close by.
What was your Grandad's surname?

I now live in Essex and I did do a walk-about of the area with a friend last summer and whilst a lot has changed there are still some land marks left..St; Andrews Hospital was demolished a few years back and the site is now a housing estate. In what neck of the woods are you resident now? George

Re: FARTHING BUNDLES

ann_llimos — 2013-05-19 15:25:06Z

Yes it would be nice to hear more about the area.
My Grandfather who lived in Fern Street had a fish stall
outside the Nags Head pub which sadly is no longer there.
He use to cure his own fish in his back yard when he lived in Box Street,I can never find where about this street was situated,somewhere off Devons Road I think.He was also a regular in the pub right up to he died at 89yrs.Fern street is completely different to what I remember.When they built flats there it took the character away.

Re: FARTHING BUNDLES

geodonovan — 2013-05-19 09:20:48Z

Hello; Thank you for your posting Re-Farthing Bundles.
Are you interested to learn more or are you happy with the knowledge that you have?

Were you yourself brought up in the area of Fern Street?

Geo:Donovan

Re: J.R.Roberts Stores Ltd Stratford

simmo191156 — 2013-05-18 19:23:06Z

My mother remembers going to the store about Christmastime when she was a child (1929-1939) to see Santa Claus in his grotto. Afterwards to the Stratford Empire to see the pantomime.Her family were living in Bow. Simmo.

Re: 153 Stamford Hill N16

marie_landau890 — 2013-05-18 18:16:04Z

I can describe from personal experience what it was like at St. Mary's in 1955, if you would care to email me.

Re: 153 Stamford Hill N16

marie_landau890 — 2013-05-18 14:08:33Z

I was one of the 'inmates' of St. Mary's home for unwed mothers from January 1955 until July 1955. If I can be of any assistance to Kia33 or others who are looking for information centred around that time, I will pass on what little I can. I was 16 then, 76 now, but still have vivid recollections of some of the other residents and our experiences there. I often think I should write the book we talked about- it was agreed that I should be the author, and it would be called "The Belles of St. Mary's" -a play on the title of the Bing Crosby/Ingrid Bergman film around at that time.

Re: Griffiths Photographers 98-100 Armagh Road, Bow, E3

sylviapitcher50 — 2013-05-18 12:07:12Z

Hi

As I knew and remember many of the people do you have the family name of the folks that lived in Armagh Road.

I am not using my own computer at present but
you can e-mail me directly at frankwweston@aol.com
I have several shots.

Frank

Michael John Rutland

sharpejanet1 — 2013-05-18 10:38:33Z

I am trying to trace Michael John Rutland Born april 1937 in lewisham, his parents died when he was young and all we know is that he was in an orphanage from the age of about 4/5 yrs old, we know he had a sister patricia and a brother frederick and their mothers maiden name was ward, other than that we have no other information, any help would be appreciated.

Re: FARTHING BUNDLES

ann_llimos — 2013-05-17 22:40:39Z

My grandfather lived in Fern Street.My mum use to tell me about the farthing bundles.He use to ask me if I would like to go there but I was too scared.I remember you had to be a certain height to enter the house.

Re: Griffiths Photographers 98-100 Armagh Road, Bow, E3

ann_llimos — 2013-05-17 22:07:10Z

Had some lovely photos taken there back in the 50's often look at the ones I still have.sadly some have been lost over the years.I wonder if the negatives were kept,would have loved to replaced the lost ones

Thomas Henry King, East London

ELLinSpain — 2013-05-15 14:42:32Z

1911
Name: Thomas H King
Age in 1911: 42
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1869
Relation to Head: Head
Gender: Male
Birth Place: St George in the East, London, England
Civil parish: Prittlewell
County/Island: Essex
Country: England
Street Address: 36 Argyll Road, Westcliff On Sea
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Wholesale Grocer
Registration district: Rochford
Registration District Number: 195
Sub-registration district: Prittlewell
ED, institution, or vessel: 13
Household schedule number: 63
Piece: 10125
+
Name: Clara King
Age in 1911: 41
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1870
Relation to Head: Wife
Gender: Female
Birth Place: St George in the East, London, England
MARRIED 19 YEARS
HAD 4 CHILDREN - 3 LIVING
+
Name: Rose King
Age in 1911: 16
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1895
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Bow, London, England
+
Name: Ethel King
Age in 1911: 15
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Bow, London, England
+
Name: Florence King
Age in 1911: 13
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1898
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Stepney, London, England

1901
Thomas H King 31
Clara King 30
Rose C King 6
Ethel V King 5
Florence M King 3
Civil parish: West Ham
Ecclesiastical parish: St Stephen
County/Island: Essex

????????????
Name: Clara Coggins
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1870
Age: 22
to
Spouse Name: Thomas Henry King
a batchelor
commercial traveller of 100 CLARK ST STEPNEY
Spouse Age: 23
Record Type: Marriage
Event Date: 6 Jun 1892
Parish: Mile End Old Town Holy Trinity
Borough: Tower Hamlets
Father Name: William John Coggins - DECEASED A COOPER
Spouse Father Name: James John Turnell King, ENGINEER
Register Type: Parish Register

Re: Search for ancestors of Thomas Henry King of Trebor

Michael_Norfolk — 2013-05-14 13:47:59Z

Hi Catherine,
not sure if you are still interested in Thomas Henry King, but he was my great grand father. Rose Clara (his daughter and always know as Pat) was my grandmother.
I am certainly very interested in Trebor as the history I was told as a child is very different to that I have read lately.

regards,
Michael Norfolk

Re: Castle Road, Dagenham

jds500 — 2013-05-09 23:24:21Z

Hi Linda,
I was searching for information on Ripple Castle and came across your message - after 7 years!!!
I don't know if you have found a photo of the Castle by now but if you haven't you can find it on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=483232141740193&...

I found it interesting that your Aunt lived next to the school because as a child in the late 40's early 50's I used to visit that house with my parents. My dad was a conductor on the buses that ran out of Upton Park bus garage and his driver and his family lived there. I think his name was Bert and his wife Violet Kimble or a name similar. They had a son Robert and a daughter Kathy and I'm wondering if Kathy is your Auntie?
I Would love to hear from you.
Jean

Re: Scapens - rare name

ruslin54 — 2013-05-09 22:02:54Z

Hello Rae,
Thanks you for your story on another branch of the Scapens Clan. I think you will find the Scapens are all related somewhere down the line, well that is what I have heard.

Linda

Re: radford surname around hackney

AnthonySharpe34 — 2013-05-07 10:34:48Z

thanks for that info. on mundia.com

Re: radford surname around hackney

CarolColeman8353 — 2013-05-06 14:55:48Z

Use the free website Mundia.com ,it's Ancestry's sister site,you can view trees on there.

Re: radford surname around hackney

AnthonySharpe34 — 2013-05-06 14:39:26Z

i seem 2 have come across wrong i was looking 4 people who was intrested in these names 2 connect with although i have a tree on ancestry due 2 unfortunate sercumstancies i cannot afford 2 pay 4 subscriptions so have 2 rely on anything thats free 2 look up or converse whith other people

Re: radford surname around hackney

AnthonySharpe34 — 2013-05-04 16:37:43Z

thanks for that i neglected to include this

Re: radford surname around hackney

jonwarrn — 2013-05-04 14:13:08Z

No need to send for a certificate
It's on a family tree on here!
And after all that!
Are you not able to look at the public member trees? Can save wasting a lot of time.

1864 Birth in the Sub district of South Hackney
Seventh December 1863, 2 Melina Place (think that's how you spell it)
Frederick Augustus - Boy
Father Henry Francis Radford
Mother Catherine Radford formerly King
Occupation of father - Seaman Merchants Service
Informant was the mother, same address on the 18th January 1864

Note she registered the birth six weeks later to the day!
Hope they don't mind me quoting that.

Re: radford surname around hackney

jonwarrn — 2013-05-04 12:52:22Z

While you are waiting for the certificate, some speculation -
There is this marriage:
3 October 1861 St Jude Bethnal Green
Henry Francis Radford, 37, Bachelor, occupation Sailor, residence 14 Anns Place, father Francis Radford, Grocer
+
Catherine King, 26, Spinster, residence 37 Goring Street, father James King, Shoemaker
witnesses were Francis Radford, Mary Ann King

A possible Death?
Sep 1868 Hackney 1b 328
Radford, Henry Francis, age 42

In 1841 a possible family
Piece 702 Book 2 Folio 23 Page 1
All Saints Poplar
High Street
Francis Radford 46 Tobacconist, Born in County - Yes
Susannah Radford 38 Yes
Henry Radford 16 Yes
Hannah Radford 13 Yes

Possible Baptism
10 July 1825 at St Leonard Shoreditch
Henry Francis
S of Francis & Susan Radford
Abode Holywell Lane
Father a Dyer
Born 17 July 1824
On the same day an Eliza Radford daughter of Richard and Elizabeth was also baptised there (previous entry) - same address and occupation, so very posssibly connected

There's a possible sea record for Henry - birth place is Mile End on here and birthday is one day out (not uncommon). May be him?
Register of Seamen's Tickets (BT113/3)
Issued at London 7 Dec 1844
Henry Radford
born Mile End 18 July 1824
Capacity Steward
Height 4 ft 11 1/2
Hair light Brown
Complexion Fair
Eyes Grey
first went to sea as a Boy, 1840
resides at Stepney when unemployed

Re: radford surname around hackney

CarolColeman8353 — 2013-05-03 22:18:28Z

Here's the family in 1911.He's born in Hackney c 1865.

Frederick Radford 46
Alfred Griffiths 44
Elizabeth Radford 39
Frederick Radford 18
Rose Radford 14
William Radford 10
Charles Radford 8
Alice Radford 5
Louisa Radford 4
Jessie Radford 1

And in 1871.....at 15a Andrew Road Hackney

Kate Radford 35 widowed charwoman b London
Hannah Radford 8 dau b Hackney
Frederick Radford 6 son b Hackney
Kate Radford 5 dau b Hackney

Here's his birth info which should tell you if he really had a father or if it was a made up name for the marriage.

Name: Frederick Augustus Radford
Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1864
Registration district: Hackney
Inferred County: London
Volume: 1b
Page: 429

Use the GRO to get the cert ,it'll cost you £9-25.

http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/

Re: radford surname around hackney

CarolColeman8353 — 2013-05-03 22:12:02Z

From the marriage cert,which took place at St Michael and All Angels,Hackney on 22nd Feb 1892.

Frederick Augustus RADFORD 27, a Vat and Back maker of 32 Ada Street,father Henry Radford decd ,sailor.

Elizabeth Hatwell 20, machinist of 40 Sheep Lane father JJames Hatwell decd Shoemaker

Witnesses John Hatwell and Mary Ann Davidson.

Re: radford surname around hackney

CarolColeman8353 — 2013-05-03 22:06:54Z

To give anyone a bit of a clue as to which century you are talking about,here's their marriage!

Marriages Mar 1892

HATWELL Elizabeth Hackney 1b 563

Radford Frederick Augustus Hackney 1b 563

radford surname around hackney

AnthonySharpe34 — 2013-05-03 16:56:17Z

looking for radford from london fields hackney i have frederick augustas radford married elizabeth hatwell need to get back further with radford

Re: 1851 1861 Census lookup - JENNINGS - Bromley by Bow

baminer66 — 2013-05-01 13:31:52Z

Just getting back into the hunt for Thomas and found your post. I have found Thomas Harold Jennings being christened in St George's Parish Middlesex Aug 29 1845. Parents are John and Jemmima Sarah. address is 4 King street. John's profession is Mariner. This has been the furthest back I can find him. I haven't found anything on John other than what is in this record.

Re: Scapens - rare name

RaeB15 — 2013-04-28 23:42:17Z

Hello. No connection to your family but Florence Ethel Scapens b. 1895 in N.Z. to Kate and John Scapens was an accomplished musician in Christchurch, N.Z. Mentioned in paperspast. Hope that little bit helps.
Rae

Re: Griffiths Photographers 98-100 Armagh Road, Bow, E3

1j706 — 2013-04-28 12:48:13Z

Any chance that the photo of Armagh Road on VE or VJ day might be available to look at? My wife had family living there.

Re: Lillie and Josephine Bentley 1901

jonwarrn — 2013-04-23 10:30:23Z

Hi Helen
It does sound confusing about Sarah Jane. Where does it say she is the mother?
Did you see the subsequent report of John's appeal at quarter sessions which was featured in the Saturday 20 October 1900 edition of the Blackburn paper?
Cecily said she had lived with John 13 years and "had had several children by him, 2 of whom were living. He was a married man, or otherwise she had reason to believe that he would have married her"
I'm not sure how accurate all that is though. In 1911 Cecily says married 23 years, but 2 children born and 2 living. Where is John?
Did you get to the bottom of the 1891 mystery? At Revidge Street, John Barrett, 25, Brewers Manager, wife Cecily 26 born Canada, daughter Lilly 1. (With an unconnected? Sarah A Bentley living at 52 - married, and in 1881 she was wife of another, older John Bentley, your John was only 15 then)
John

Re: Rickett / Hatfull

LorraineJohnson63 — 2013-04-23 09:19:27Z

Sarah Please ring me 09 4077103

Re: Lillie and Josephine Bentley 1901

helenfletcher100 — 2013-04-22 21:59:35Z

Hello Pamela, Thank you for your interest and all the info. I have traced both Lillie and Josephine. They were born to Sarah Jane Higgins (!!) in 1890 and 1893. I cannot trace any further info on Sarah Jane although my great grandmother was Sarah Jane. The girls were in boarding school in 1901 and in 1911 were living with Cecily Bentley John Bentley was lodging away. There's an interesting newspaper article about a court case brought by Cecily Higgins against John Bentley. My grandmother was always a very well groomed and exceptionally well presented woman and I wonder whether she ever really knew what was going on. She certainly never told either my mother or me! C'est la vie.
Helen

Re: Lillie and Josephine Bentley 1901

helenfletcher100 — 2013-04-22 21:52:34Z

Hello Carole. Thanks for your interest - my grandmother and great aunt appear to have both been born out of wedlock so searching for more info is proving difficult. I think their mother's family may well have originated in Canada. At some time both girls were living with a Cecily Higgins not Sarah, who is/was their birth mother. Fascinating. I just wish I had more time to pour over records.
Helen

Re: Lillie and Josephine Bentley 1901

helenfletcher100 — 2013-04-22 21:40:59Z

It's a while since we corresponded. The newspaper report is fascinating but sadly I am still struggling with the correct parents. Cecily appears to have taken on the mantle of Mother to Josie and Lillie but their birth mother is one Sarah Jane Bentley! My Gt, Grandmother Bentley was called Sarah! I can find no record of a marriage for either nor for the John Bentley I assume is the father. He was certainly at my Grandmother's marriage and a witness was Sarah J Bentley. I shall keep searching.

Re: Rickett, Watford, Herts

ELLinSpain — 2013-04-22 08:16:26Z

Name: Alfred Rickett
Gender: Male
Birth Date: abt 1869
Age: 24
Father's Name: James Rickett
Spouse's Name: Mary Baxter
Spouse's Age: 24
Spouse's Father's Name: Thomas Baxter
Marriage Date: 7 Oct 1893
Marriage Place: Chipperfield, Hertfordshire, England

1911
Name: Alfred Rickett
Age in 1911: 41
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1870
Relation to Head: Head
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Common Wood, Hertfordshire, England
Civil parish: Sarratt
County/Island: Hertfordshire
Country: England
Street Address: The Grove Park, Watford, Herts
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Carter Labourer
Registration district: Watford
+
Name: Mary Rickett
Age in 1911: 42
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1869
Relation to Head: Wife
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Dublin, Ireland
+
Name: Margaret Rickett
Age in 1911: 16
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1895
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Birth Place: The Grove Park
+
Name: Charles Alfred Rickett
Age in 1911: 15
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
Relation to Head: Son
Gender: Male
Birth Place: The Grove Park
+
Name: Agnes Rickett
Age in 1911: 13
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1898
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Birth Place: The Grove Park
+
Name: Joseph Rickett
Age in 1911: 11
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1900
Relation to Head: Son
Gender: Male
Birth Place: The Grove Park
+
Name: Robert Rickett
Age in 1911: 9
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1902
Relation to Head: Son
Gender: Male
Birth Place: The Grove Park
+
Name: Kate Rickett
Age in 1911: 7
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1904
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Birth Place: The Grove Park
+
Name: Lily Rickett
Age in 1911: 5
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1906
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Birth Place: The Grove Park
+
Name: James Rickett
Age in 1911: 3
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1908
Relation to Head: Son
Gender: Male
Birth Place: The Grove Park
+
Name: Elizabeth Rickett
Age in 1911: 1
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1910
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Birth Place: The Grove Park

Name: Miss Kate Rickett
Gender: Female
Age: 18
Birth Date: abt 1904
Departure Date: 4 Jan 1922
Port of Departure: London, England
Destination Port: Sydney, Australia
Ship Name: Demosthenes

Re: Rickett / Hatfull

LorraineJohnson63 — 2013-04-21 23:51:31Z

Hi Sarah Please email me @BRIAN.HULLEN@xtra.co.nz so I can forward all my info to you

Re: Rickett / Hatfull

sarah_mcarthur37 — 2013-04-21 08:56:32Z

Hi,
Charles Alfred Rickett is my great grandfather. I have only just today started searching further into my family history and found the boarding document from when they left England. My direct grandmother was Rose, daughter of Charles and Emma

Re: Will probate question

joane_flis — 2013-04-20 02:40:00Z

Hi caroline,
Thank-you for your quick response. Llandudno makes sense because that is where the woman lived during WWll. She ran a boarding house & her daughter went to school there. They were both born in the East end of London. The daughter was evacuated to Wales during the war & the mother followed her there. When the mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer they both returned to London. I am doing this research for the daughter who lives in Australia & we are friends. One more mystery cleared up. Thanks again.
Regards, Joan

Re: Will probate question

carobradford — 2013-04-19 06:54:16Z

Hello Joan

One would normally expect probate to have been granted in Llandudno during the war, as that is where the Principal Probate Registry was evacuated to. Perhaps the deceased was normally resident in Birmingham? The actual will may provide the answer if you need it. You can apply for a copy using the form at http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/pa01...

It will cost £6.00. Avoid using third parties who will charge you more!

Best wishes

Caroline

Will probate question

joane_flis — 2013-04-19 06:14:33Z

I have found the on-line probate for a will. The person died in 1947 in Bow. But the will was probated in Birmingham. Is this because this would be where the will was held by the solicitor or is there another reason for it being in Birmingham? Thank-you in advance for any help. I hope I am in the correct message board.
Regards, Joan Steele

Re: WAKEFIELD

gjtowsey — 2013-04-18 20:04:35Z

Hello,

George Robert Wakefield is my great-grandfather and William (Billy) is my great-uncle.

I knew George was born in 1888 and died in 1966, but was unaware about a marriage in 1907 in Derbyshire.

I knew he lived in London and had children, but did not know about Lewis, Harold and Olive.

He served during the First World War and do have a copy of his soldiers pay book and a picture of George Robert Wakefield.

If you would like me to send you a scan of George’s World War One documents and some more information, then please feel free to e-mail me (geoff@towsey.net) and I can send it though.

I hope that is all ok.

Geoff Towsey

Re: orphanage

ianwillden1 — 2013-04-15 20:09:17Z

AN ORPHAN, UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE BOARD OF GUARDIANS, ST GILES IN THE FIELDS. REF-:HOBG/560. REGISTER OF DESERTED CHILDREN,DATED 30th DECEMBER 1902, STATES-; ORPHAN, MICHAEL HENNESSEY,AGED 10yrs.FOUND SLEEPING IN THE STREETS BY POLICE.YET HIS WIDOWER FATHER AND HIS SIBLINGS ARE ON THE 1901 ENG CENSUS IN CENTRAL LONDON.BEING ON THE STREETS DID NOT NECCESARY CLASS YOU AS AN ''ORPHAN''??. ON 24th JULY 1907 MICHAEL HENNESSEY EVENTUALLY TOOK AN ASSISTED PASSAGE TO CANADA.

Re: Silk Weavers Bethnal Green

an38gozney — 2013-04-14 17:33:50Z

Does the name DE LA MEAR or MEARS or MEEK ring any bells as to where I start looking, they were silk weavers and silk velvet weavers and lived in and around Bethnal Green and Spitalfield.

Also the other line of the family the IMBUSCH'S came from Germany and were Sugar Bakers and worked for Martineau's

Anne

Re: Rescue Squad WW2

petercriches — 2013-04-12 13:43:17Z

Just wondering if anyone had any luck with Heavy Rescue Squad information, does not appear to be much in the London Metropolitan archives, so my next stop is the Imperial War Museum I think.

TIA

Peter

William NEAL = Frances Helen AKEHURST

MareeGordon20 — 2013-04-10 23:32:49Z

Attention Craig NEAL Stockholm Sweden

William NEAL = Frances Helen AKEHURST

Am unable to contact you by ANY METHOD AT ALL

SKYPE / matamata-maree

Re: the old cherry tree pub in 64 kingsland rd shoreditch

lucianoalbertii — 2013-04-09 12:32:54Z

Hi my name is Michelle Alberti nee Capon. Did you find out anything about The Old Cherry Tree as I am also interested as my great grandparents ran it - possibly the same! Would love to hear from you. xx

Re: Printers Machine Ruler

londongreenwood — 2013-04-08 19:03:17Z

Thanks

wildwood@thewarren.net

Re: Printers Machine Ruler

pvherrington — 2013-04-08 18:46:20Z

Let me have your email address and I will send off line.
Peter

Re: orphanage

PLeavett — 2013-04-07 17:38:06Z

I'm not sure which thread you are referring to since your message has appeared alone...but to answer your question I would say definately YES.
On a family line we followed the father was a Mariner when his wife(our line) was widowed she placed the two middle children in the Merchant Seamans Orphan Asylum in Wanstead. We wondered how that could be since the mother was still alive but apparently this was common.
Here's a quote from John Hann:"The Merchant Seaman's Orphan Asylum- Nowadays it is generally assumed that an orphan has lost both parents, but in the nineteenth century this was not so. A dictionary definition of 1857 is ‘a child who has lost father or mother or both.’ The Managers of the Orphan Asylum assumed that the ‘inmates’ had mothers or grandparents to go home to. A child was eligible for admission only after the age of seven and was required to leave on his or her fourteenth birthday. Most children went home for three weeks’ holiday in July and in some years, for ten days at Christmas, though medical advisers often objected to the winter break because the children were likely to return with whatever infectious disease was prevalent at the time. The Constitution of the Asylum laid down strict rules for the admission of orphans and it was the responsibility of the Board of Management to vet each application and confirm that the child was eligible. First the dead parent had to be the father. A child whose dead mother had been at sea as a stewardess was rejected out of hand - the Constitution referred only to seamen. Second he must be British, which meant from anywhere in the British Isles."
Hope this helps
Pamela
p.s. the children on our tree returned to there Mother several years later apparently after receiving an education.

Re: Lillie and Josephine Bentley 1901

PLeavett — 2013-04-07 17:16:41Z

Just a few extra thoughts...you do know more than the fact that Cicely is Canadian. In fact on several census's she says she is born in Kingston Ontario.
Also on the 1881 census she is already in Lancashire but listed as Cecilia:

Cecilia Higgins 17 yrs cotton winder b. Kingston Ont 1864/65
lodging with:
Henry Whittaker 48 & wife Harriet and their niece & nephew Tom & Harriet Shuttleworth.
Even more interesting is the other lodger William Newsham 54 yrs. who just happens to be born in Accrington, Lancs the same place as Cicely's common law husband.
Might be interesting to find out the background of these people.
Then I looked for other Higgins in 1881 who had a Canadian connection but were now living in Lancs. and this family looked interesting not the least because one of the children was called Lily and some are also born in Canada.The places of birth suggest the father was in the army. Also sisters often named a daughter after their sister.
Could this be Cicely's mother & siblings?

Mary Ann Higgins widow 40 Ireland
Mary Ann Higgins dau. 15 Canada linen winder
Lily Higgins dau. 13 Canada linen weaver
William Higgins son 11 Ireland
Henry Higgins son 7 Fleetwood

Hope this helps
Pamela