Friday Fun: Knocked down by cow

It is Friday again, when I share something that I have found whilst looking for records, that is interesting or adds information to our family tree.

I found the following article in the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 12 May 1934, page 7.

We do have a Clara Ann Hemmings in the family, but she is not the Clara Hemmings mentioned in this article.

The transcript reads:
KNOCKED DOWN BY COW
Bath Resident's Broken Leg
Mrs Clara Hemmings (78) of Bailbrook Cottages, Bath, was admitted to the Royal United Hospital on May 4 with a fractured right leg, which she sustained when she was knocked down by a cow in the field at the rear of her house.
Her condition on Saturday was stated to be unchanged.

Baptism: William Hassall and Drucilla Hudson

Here is something interesting, which I probably would not have realised except for the fact that I was searching for events which happened in February.

On this day: Sunday 26 February 1809
William Hassall (1809-1879), my 3rd great grandfather and Drucilla Hudson (1809-1892), my 4th great aunt were baptised on the same day and in the same church, St Peter Ad Vincula, Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire.

Sorry, the quality is really poor, but the record is over 200 years old and unfortunately, it looks like there may have been some water damage on the right hand side as well.

Drucilla's entry reads:
Hudson Drucilla, daughter of George and Sarah, born 13 February 1809

William's entry reads:
Hassall William, son of William and Maria, born 5 February 1809

This is how they both connect to me:

William Hassall (1809-1879) married Mary Hassall (1809-1850)
their son, William Hassall (1844-1918) married Sarah Ann Alcock (1846-????)
their son, Rupert John Hassall (1878-1942) married Drucilla Hudson (1877-1936)
their daughter, Freda Hassall (1909-1974) married William Wain
their son, John Stanton Wain married Sheila Hooley
their daughter Judith Yvonne Wain

Drucilla's parents were:
George Hudson who married Sarah (--?--)
their son, Felix Hudson (1811-1881) married Eliza Pope (1814-????)
their son John Hudson (1846-1925) married Elizabeth Baddaley (1845-1914)
their daughter Drucilla Hudson (1877-1936) married Rupert John Hassall (1878-1942)
their daughter, Freda Hassall (1909-1974) married William Wain
their son, John Stanton Wain married Sheila Hooley
their daughter Judith Yvonne Wain

James Duffy (abt. 1815-1874)

James Duffy (abt. 1815-1874) is Dermot's 2nd great grandfather. I have very little information about James, this is what we do know.

Dermot is descended through:

* his daughter, Rose Duffy (abt. 1863-1949) who married William Egan (abt. 1861-1905) in 1885
* their daughter, Helen Clare Egan (1899-1986) who married Patrick Boushell (1895-1969) in 1925
* their daughter, Mary Carmel Boushell (1926-1974) who married Gerald Westhoff in 1953
* Dermot Edward Patrick Westhoff

He married Rose (--?--), date unknown (probably 1844/45), the marriage record has not been found.

Family records indicate that James and Rose had 9 children:

• Child 1: Margaret (1845-1941)
• Child 2: Mary (1857-1880)
• Child 3: Rose (1863-1949)
• Child 4: Michael (1865-1957)
• Child 5: Patrick (????-????)
• Child 6: Daniel (????-????)
• Child 7: James (????-????)
• Child 8: John (????-????)
• Child 9: Anne (????-????)

As can be seen from the question marks, there is still some work to be done on 5 of the 9 children.

The marriage records of the children give the following information:

1875 - Mary Duffy married Michael Gavin

This record gives Mary's address as Kilgarvin, Co Westmeath and her father as James, a farmer

1885 - Rose Duffy married William Egan

Rose's address is Kilgarvin, her father is James, a farmer

1897 - Margaret (Duffy) Gavin married Patrick Hynds

Her father's name is James, a farmer

1899 - Michael Duffy married Mary Anne Molloy

His address is given as Kilgarvin, his father is James, a farmer

James died on 3 April 1874 and was buried 2 days later in Clonmacnoise Cemetery, County Offaly, Ireland.

On this day: Henry Westhoff Baptism

Henry Westhoff (1869-1920) is Dermot's 2nd great uncle and he was baptised on this day,
21 February 1869, which was a Sunday in Our Lady of Reconciliation de La Salette, Liverpool.

The record shows that Henry was born on 5 February and baptised on 21 February.

John Jacob and Mary Ann (Mooney) Westhoff were Dermot's 2nd great grandparents and the parents of Henry.

Wordless Wednesday

Ben wearing a bucket, about June 1987

Mary Sigley (1849-1890)

Mary Sigley (1849-1890) is my 2nd great grandmother.

Mary was born on 15 November 1849 to Joseph and Martha (Mellor) Sigley, they had seven children and Mary was their oldest daughter.

1851
Mary was with her grandmother at Misty Hill End, Heathylee, Staffordshire. Her father is listed in the same place, her mother was visiting her sister in Sutton, Cheshire.

• Sarah Sigley – age 68, farmer of 10 acres, born in Leeekfrith, Staffordshire (widow)
• Joseph Sigley – age 32, collier & ag lab, born in Leeekfrith, Staffordshire (married)
• Abraham Sigley – age 27, ag lab, born in Leeekfrith, Staffordshire
• Susannah Mellor – age 10, nurse girl, born in Leeekfrith, Staffordshire (granddaughter)
• Mary Sigley – age 1, born in Leeekfrith, Staffordshire (granddaughter)

Birth of sister Sarah Sigley (1851-1891)

1853

Birth of brother Thomas Sigley (1853-1941)

1855

Birth of sister Elizabeth Sigley (1855-????)

1859

Birth of sister Susannah Sigley (1859-????)

1861
Mary’s grandmother Sarah Sigley died in 1860, the 1861 census shows that the family remained in the same house, Misty Hill End.

• Joseph Sigley – age 42, farmer and collier, born in Heathylee, Staffordshire
• Martha Sigley – age 39, button maker, born in Heathylee, Staffordshire
• Joseph Sigley – age 12, collier, born in Leekfrith, Staffordshire
• Mary Sigley – age 11, silk button maker, born in Heathylee, Staffordshire
• Sarah Sigley – age 9, born in Heathylee, Staffordshire
• Thomas Sigley – age 8, born in Heathylee, Staffordshire
• Elizabeth Sigley – age 6, born in Heathylee, Staffordshire
• Susannah Sigley – age 2, born in Heathylee, Staffordshire

Birth of brother James Sigley (1862-????)

1871

Mary had left home and was now working for the Brown family at Pheasants Clough, Leekfrith.

• Thomas Brown – age 37, farmer, born in Leekfrith, Staffordshire
• Mary Brown – age 36, born in Heaton, Staffordshire
• Sarah E Brown – age 11, scholar, born in Leekfrith, Staffordshire
• Alice M Brown – age 10, scholar, born in Leekfrith, Staffordshire
• John Brown – age 8, scholar, born in Leekfrith, Staffordshire
• William Brown – age 1, born in Leekfrith, Staffordshire
• Thomas Brown – age 3, born in Leekfrith, Staffordshire
• Mary Sigley – age 21, general servant, born in Heathylee, Staffordshire
• Ralph Robinson – age 23, farm labourer, born in Leekfrith, Staffordshire

1877

Mary married Isaac Wain on 5 June 1877 in Brinswick Chapel, Leek.

The marriage registration states:

Isaac Wain, age 27, widower, shoemaker, residing in Mount Pleasant Cottage, Leekfrith.

Father – Isaac Wain (farmer)

Mary Sigley, age 27, spinster, domestic servant, residing in Heathylee.
Father – Joseph Sigley (farmer)

Witnesses: Elijah Carter and Mary Carter (the relationship to the couple is not known)

Birth of son William Wain (1877-1963)

1880

Birth of son Matthew Wain (1880-1973)

1881
The family were living at Rose Cottage, Leekfrith, Staffordshire.

• Isaac Wain – age 31, shoemaker and farmer of 7 acres
• Mary Wain – age 31, born in Alstonefield, Staffordshire
• William Wain – age 3, born in Leekfrith, Staffordshire
• Matthew Wain – age 1, born in Leekfrith, Staffordshire

1883

Birth of son Richard Wain (1883-1957)

1885
Death of father Joseph Sigley (1819-1885)

1886

Birth of son Isaac Wain (1886-1917)

1890

Birth of son John Wain (1890-1890)

Death of son John Wain - < 1

Mary died aged 40 on 11 October 1890 at home, Upper Haddon, Leekfrith, Staffordshire. The informant of her death was Isaac, her husband and the cause of death is given as phthisis. She was buried in Flash Church, Staffordshire on 14 October 1890.

Of interest are the dates on the above cards, which show that John Wain (Mary's son) died on 9 October 1890 and was buried on 11 October, which is the date that Mary died. She was buried 3 days later in the same place.

The story goes that the family had gone to the church for John's funeral and when they returned, Mary was found dead in the chair. Whether this is true or not cannot be confirmed, suffice to say that whatever happened it was a difficult time for the family.

Marriages over 50 years

On Valentines Day, I thought it might be quite a nice idea to look at people who were married for more than 50 years.

There will be more, but for quite a few ancestors, I am missing vital information, so I cannot be sure of how long they were married.

Judith's 2nd great aunt

William Harry Plant (1868-1951) & Sarah Ann Hassall (1868-1951)

Married in 1890 - 61 years

Judith's great aunt

Eric Gregory (1913-2013) & Grace Meakin (1914-1989)

Married in 1935 - 53 years

Judith's grandmother

Eric Hooley (1908-1992) & Brenda Meakin (1912-1982)

Married in 1929 - 53 years

Judith's 3rd great uncle

Thomas Sigley (1853-1941) & Mary Hunt (1859-1934)

Married in 1880 - 54 years

Judith's 1st cousin 2 removed

Percy Meakin (1891-1973) & Sarah Swindells (1889-1973)

Married in 1915 - 57 years

Dermot's Aunt

Peter William Connolly (1925-2015) & Mary Eileen Westhoff (1925-2006)

Married in 1948 - 58 years

Dermot's 1st cousin 1 removed

Joseph B Kelly (1916-2000) & Emily Josephine Gibney (1918-2009)

Married in 1943 - 57 years

Dermot's 2nd great grandfather

John Jacob Westhoff (1832-1908) & Mary Ann Mooney (1825-1918)

Married in 1855 - 53 years

Wordless Wednesday

Ben - August 1987

John Roche (abt. 1835-1880)

John Roche is Dermot's 2nd great grandfather. He is yet another ancestor from the Westhoff side for whom I have very little information.

Here is what I do have:
He was born in about 1835 in Ireland, this information is taken from his death certificate.
He married Jane McLoughlin probably in about 1857 (marriage record not found). Information taken from John Roche's (1967-1950) baptism record.

1858
Birth of daughter Elizabeth (1858-1930)
Her marriage record gives her father's name as John Roche. It also records that she was living at 8 Maghull Street, Liverpool.
Elizabeth applied for naturalisation in 1916 and givers her place of birth as Foxford, County Mayo, Ireland and her parents as John and Jane Roche.

1865
Birth of son James (1865-????)
Year of birth taken from 1881 census, so could actually be 1864. Not much found to link James with John, other than that he was living at 8 Maghull Street in 1881.

Birth of daughter Mary Ann (1865-????)
Birth registration found which gives parents as John and Jane (McLoughlin) Roche, registered in Foxford, County Mayo.
Also living at 8 Maghull Street in 1881.

1867
Birth of son John (1867-1950)
Baptism record gives parents as John and Jane (McLoughlin) Roche, baptised in Liverpool.
Living at 8 Maghull Street in 1881.

1870
Birth of son Michael (1870-????)
Birth registration found which gives parents as John and Jane (McLoughlin) Roach, registered in Foxford, County Mayo. What is also interesting is that the father's address is given as Liverpool, England.

Birth Registration Michael Roach

1873
Birth of daughter Jane (1873-????)
Baptism record gives parents as John and Jane (McLoughlin) Roche, she was baptised in Liverpool.

John died on 29 June 1880 at home, 8 Maghull Street, Liverpool, Lancashire. The cause of death was given as pneumonia and the informant of his death was his wife Jane Roche.

As you can see, there are more questions than answers.
His son John was baptised in Liverpool 1867, but another son's birth was registered in Ireland in 1870. Both have the wife's name as Jane McLoughlin, so would appear to be correct.
The 1871 census has not been found for John or Jane in 1871, were they in Ireland?
There is a large gap between the birth of Elizabeth in 1858 and James in 1865, which is unusual in Catholic families and so far, no records of other children have been found.

Baptism: Isaac Wain (1850-1932)

On this day - 7 February

My 2nd great grandfather Isaac Wain was baptised in St. Bartholomew's Church, Longnor, Staffordshire.

The transcription reads:
Isaac, son of Isaac & Hannah Wain, living at Hollinsclough. Father's occupation, Silk Weaver.
Isaac married Hannah Mellor (1819-1889) in 1846

I am descended through:
Isaac married Hannah Mellor (1819-1889) in 1846
his son William Wain (1877-1963) who married Bertha Taylor (1885-1925) in 1906
their son, William Wain (1909-1957) who married Freda Hassall (1909-1974) in 1936
their son, John Stanton Wain (1937-) who married Sheila Hooley (1938-) in 1958
Judith Yvonne Wain (1958-)

Surname: Egan

Egan is the maiden name of Dermot's grandmother and the links back are:-

Dermot Edward Patrick Westhoff

Mary Carmel Boushell (1926-1974)
married
Gerald Westhoff (1928-2012)
Children:
* Dermot Edward Patrick Westhoff
* Gerald Brendan Francis Westhoff

Helen Clare Egan (1899-1986) (grandmother)
married
Patrick Joseph Boushell (1895-1969)
Children
* Mary Carmel Boushell (1926-1974)
* Helen Rose Boushell (1930-????)
* Margaret Veronica Boushell
* Patricia Josephine Boushell

William Egan (abt. 1861-1905)
married
Rose Duffy (abt.1863-1949)
Children
* Emily Egan (1886-1959)
* James Joseph Egan (1888-1931)
* John Egan (1889-????)
* Mary Egan (1891-1947)
* Rosana Egan (1893-1957)
* William Egan (1897-1900)
* Helen Clare Egan (1899-1986)
* Teresa Josephine Egan (1901-????)

Michael Egan (????-????)
married
Unknown (????-????)
Child
* William Egan (abt. 1861-1905)

On this day: Baptism of Elizabeth Baddaley

On Sunday 3 February 1828, Elizabeth Baddaley (1828-????), my 4th great aunt was baptised at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Burslem, Staffordshire.

The transcription reads:

1828, Feby 3

Elizabeth born (the date was not entered)

Parents: Thomas & Elizabeth

Last Name: Baddaley

Address: Hot Lane, Parish of Burslem

Occupation of father: Potter

Ceremony performed by: Jonathan Barker, Minister

Common ancestors: Thomas and Elizabeth (--?--) Baddaley
Fourth great grandparents of me (Judith Yvonne Wain)
Parents of Elizabeth