Edward James Westhoff (1867-1921)

I have chosen Edward James WESTHOFF as the first person to post about, as his was the first of our family trees that I saw. At the time I was not interested in family trees and it was duly filed away. Several years later, a chance comment and I have been researching the trees for both sides of our family for about 2 years now and still finding lots of new information.

Edward James WESTHOFF (1867-1921), is Dermot's great grandfather.

Known as Edward (Edward James appears on his birth certificate only), his parents were Johann Jacob (known as John) WESTHOFF and Mary Ann MOONEY.

Edward James was born on 27 March 1867 in Liverpool. He was John and Mary Ann's 6th child of 7. The birth certificate shows them living at Raymond Street Court House in Liverpool. John’s occupation is given as marine stoker and the birth was registered by Mary (mother), she signed using her mark.

Edward was baptised on 21 April 1867 in St Anthony’s, Liverpool.

1867 Baptism record

In the 1871 census the John Westhoff family lived at Raymond Street Court House, Liverpool.

1871 Census

• John Westhoff – age 40, fireman at sugar house, born in Germany
• Mary Westhoff – age 45, born in Middlesex
• John Westhoff – age 12, born in Lancashire
• Frederick Westhoff – age 10, born in Lancashire
• Edward Westhoff – age 4, born in Lancashire
• Henry Westhoff – age 2, born in Lancashire

In the 1881 census the John Westhoff family lived at 3 Hedley Street, Liverpool. 

1881 Census

• John Westhoff – age 49, fireman, born in Germany
• Mary Westhoff – age 52, born in London, Middlesex
• John Westhoff – age 21, labourer, born in London, Middlesex
• Frederick Westhoff – age 19, labourer, born in Liverpool, Lancashire
• Edward Westhoff – age 14, at school, born in Liverpool, Lancashire
• Henry Westhoff – age 12, at school, born in Liverpool, Lancashire

The 1891 census shows Edward as a crew member on the ship Chantrey, he was 23 and single, his occupation is listed as fireman. Records have been found which indicate that Edward served on the following ships for approximately 4 weeks at a time from 1890 to1907: Vancouver, Chantrey, Canadian and Lake Erie. The records show that he was possibly illiterate as the registers are all signed with his mark. 

1907 Crew List - Lake Erie

Edward married Mary Horris on 30 October 1898 in St Sylvester’s, Liverpool.

1898 Marriage Record of Edward Westhoff & Mary Horris

Their first child Mary was born on 1 March 1901 and the 1901 census shows Edward’s wife Mary and daughter Mary listed as being with Mary' sister Ann Johnstone. Shortly after this, Mary died aged 4 months in July 1901. A census record for Edward for 1901 has not been found, so the assumption is that he was at sea and possibly never saw his daughter.

Their only son Edward was born on 9 September 1902 and from the ship records found so far, it seems as if Edward may have been at home. The first record found after Edward’s birth shows him going to sea in January 1903, when Edward was 4 months old.

Anne was born on 7 June 1909 and 10 months after this in April 1910 Edward’s wife Mary died.

Edward died aged 54 in October 1921 and was buried on 10 October 1921 in Ford Cemetery, Liverpool.