X00378 Elizabeth Rothwell after 1871

Elizabeth Rothwell is the sixth daughter of Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking. She was born 16 July 1846 in Blackburn, Lancashire. Census records have her living with the family all the way through to the 1871 census but I have not faound her in any records in Blackburn beyond that date.

I did then start looking farther out and found this marriage record:

It has an Elizabeth Rothwell marrying a William Sutton on 6 May 1876 in Eccles, Lancashire. Unfortunately the marriage record does not give an age or profession, so I can't verify that information. As well, the location isn't where I would expect it to be in Eccles, Lancashire.

The one positive as far as the connections ithe information about the father - the father is named Henry Rothwell and his profession is a cart driver. So that and the name Elizabeth Rothwell match.

So, it's a possibility that this is the correct Elizabeth Rothwell in the marriage record, but there's not a lot to go on. I'm going to treat it as a hypothesis to see if there are any other records that I might find to either prove or disprove the hypothesis.

X00377 Richard Rothwell and the discover of Ellen Rothwell

I had posted previously about Richard Rothwell, born about 1855 and the challenge of finding out who his parents were (X00377). One of the noted next actions was to look for birth/baptism records for a Richard Rothwell, born about 1855 in Blackburn, Lancshire.

I could not find any Richard Rothwell baptisms in Blackburn in the years around 1855 and there are no Richard Rothwells in the GRO indexes registered in Blackburn from the years 1853 to 1857. There are some Richard Rothwells born in Haslingden in the time period, which could be possibilities, although none of them are born to a mother with a maiden name of Airey.

So, it would appear that either the name, birthdate and/or birth location are incorrect for Richard Rothwell, or the birth was not registered or not indexed properly. It also seems unlikely that Margaret Airey Rothwell was the mother, given that the date is likely before her marriage with James Rothwell; perhaps Richard was the son of James H.R. Rothwell with another woman (his marriage certificate liss his as a bachelor, so no indication of a previous marriage). Or perhaps the son of one of the other children of Henry and Alice Rothwell.

Current Possibilities:

• Richard Rothwell is the son of James H.R. Rothwell and a woman other than Margaret Airey
• Richard could be the child of an unmarried Rothwell daughter
• There could be an additional child of Henry and Alice Rothwell that I haven't yet discovered

Until I have more definite proof, I've marked Richard as unconnected in my tree until I have definite proof of who the parents might be.

Next steps:

• Continue to look for birth/baptism records for Richard Rothwell - Although there were no Blackburn birth records found, there were a few Richard Rothwells born in Haslingden
• Trace James H.R. Rothwell in later years (X00376)
• Look for Richard Rothwell in later census records, marriage or death records (note that he was alive in 1889)
• Trace other children of Henry and Alice Rothwell to see if that yields anything

On a side note, as I was trying to find a birth registration for Richard Rothwell, I did a search to find other births with the surname of Rothwell and a mother's maiden name of Airey. I did manage to find a birth registration for an Ellen Rothwell, daughter of James Rothwell and Margaret Airey, born 27 December 1857 in Blackburn.

Sadly, Ellen died six months later of congenital phthsis. This does, however give a little bit more information about James Rothwell and Margaret Airey (X00376).

On yet another side note, I did come across another birth record for a William Airey Rothwell, born 29 November 1856 in Haslingden, but the parents were John Rothwell and Elizabeth Airey. Not from the same family, but perhaps a distant connection.

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possibility * not registered * Not registered in blackburn * Indeexed incorrectly

X00380 Richard Rothwell EOL

I had posted earlier about X00372 where I found the parents of Henry Rothwell to be Richard and Mary Rothwell. I also found that Henry was born in 1811 in Haslingden, Lancashire. So, the next step was to see if I can find more info about the next generation.

I had a search through the Haslingden marriage records from that time period and managed to find a marriage record in Haslingden in 1803 for a Richard Rothwell and Mary Ratcliffe.

Interestingly enough, the marriage right below it on the page is between a Richard Rothwell and an Anne Kindle on the same day.

When I had been searching earlier I also found a death record record for a Richard Radcliffe Rothwell, an innkeeper who died in 1842 aged 50, which would suggest a birth year of about 1892. Far too young for it to be the same one, but it does suggest a connection between the Rothwell and Radcliffe families.

So, lots to investigate with my newly-found 5x great grandparents, Richard Rothwell (X00380) and Mary Ratcliffe (X00389). More to come.

X0293 How Did Percy Douglas lose his leg

Some time ago I posted aboux X00293 raising the question of how did Percy Douglas lose his leg. In the post I mentioned that the next steps would be to look for obituaries to see if any of them mentioned anything

I did manage to find obituaries for Percy Douglas in both the Owen Sound newspapers:

And the Kalamazoo newspapers:

Unfortunately, neither of them had anything to say about losing a leg. I have not been able to find any news articles or documents that say anything about a lost leg, other than the draft registration card. This one remains a mystery.

Profile: Henry Rothwell 1811-1875

Ancestor Profile: Henry Rothwell (1811–1875)

Birth & Early Life
Henry Rothwell was born on 1 August 1811 in the market town of Haslingden, nestled in the rolling hills of Lancashire, England. He was baptized just a few months later on 20 October 1811 at the local parish church, marking the beginning of a life deeply rooted in the industrial heart of northern England. He was the son of Richard and Mary Rothwell, whose own stories remain elusive in the historical record.

Marriage & Family
On 22 July 1833, Henry married Alice Hacking in Blackburn, Lancashire. Their union spanned over four decades and produced nine children:

• Nancy Rothwell (b. 1828)
• Richard Rothwell (c.1834–1844)
• James Hacking Ratcliffe Rothwell (b. 1835)
• Mary Rothwell (c.1836–1903)
• Henry Rothwell (c.1838–1840)
• Martha Alice Rothwell (1840–1899)
• Ellen Rothwell (1842–1844)
• Alice Ann Rothwell (1844–1872)
• Elizabeth Rothwell (b. 1846)

Their family life was marked by both joy and sorrow, with several children passing away young—a common tragedy in Victorian England.

Occupational Journey
Henry’s working life paints a vivid picture of the laboring class in 19th-century Lancashire. He held a variety of roles, each reflecting the gritty resilience of a man who adapted to the demands of a rapidly industrializing society:

• Horsekeeper & Ostler (1833–1836): Early records show Henry working with horses, a vital role in transportation and trade.
• Porter & Carter (1840s–1870s): He transitioned into roles involving the movement of goods, often recorded as a carter or porter in Blackburn.
• Labourer & Foundry Worker: By the 1860s, Henry was employed in a foundry, contributing to the industrial backbone of the region.

His residences—High Street, Back Lane, Salford, Ewood Bridge, Swarbrick Street, and Peter Street—map a life spent in the bustling neighborhoods of Blackburn.

Final Years & Death
Henry in a hotel in Blackpool, Lancashire on 25 July 1875 while vacationing there. The cause was broncho-pneumonia, a respiratory illness that claimed many lives in the era before antibiotics.

He was laid to rest on 28 July 1875 at Blackburn Cemetery, a final return to the town that had shaped his life.

Legacy
Henry Rothwell’s story is one of perseverance, family, and quiet strength. Through decades of hard labor and personal loss, he helped build the foundations of modern Blackburn. His descendants carry forward the legacy of a man who lived humbly but left a lasting mark.

X00372 Henry Rothwell End of Line - Solved!

Henry Rothwell is my 4x Great Grandather, and I have talked about him in previous blogposts. Now that I've sorted out a number of other details about him, it's time to sort out his birth information and to try to get to the next generation.

Birth information for Henry Rothwell appears in in the 1841 to 1871 census records as well as his death and burial records. Unfortunately, his marriage record gives no birth information. Below is analysis of the records:

Doc No	Desc	Year	Age Given	Birth Year	Birth Place
D01529	1841 Census	1841	30	ca 1811	Lancashire
D01628	1851 Census	1851	39	ca 1812	Haslingden, Lancashire
D01602	1861 Census	1861	49	ca 1812	Haslingden, Lancashire
D02674	1871 Census	1871	59	ca 1812	Haslingden, Lancashire
D02737	Death Certificate	1875	64	ca 1811
D02679	Burial Record	1875	64	ca 1811

The records would suggest a birth year of about 1811 or 1812 in Haslingden, Lancashire.

I did look for baptism records around that time and I did find a baptism record for a Henry Rothwell, son of Richard and Mary Rothwell, born 1 Aug 1811 in Haslingden and baptised 20 October 1811.

Not only was this the only matching record that I could find for a Henry Rothwell born in that place in those years, but the names of the parents also match first names of Henry's children, so I am confident that I have found the right baptism record. Based on the above information I am concluding that Henry Rothwell was born 1 August 1811 in Haslingden to Richard and Mary Rothwell.

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Sources:
[D01529] 1841 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, folio 4, page 1, 24; digital images(accessed 9 Feb 2025); citing PRO HO 107/502/14.

[D01602] 1861 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, folio 100, page 27; digital images(accessed 15 Feb 2025); citing PRO RG 9/3100.

[D01628] 1851 census of England, Haslingden, Lancashire, folio 244, page 14; digital images(accessed 15 Feb 2025); citing PRO HO 107/2250.

[D02674] 1871 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, folio 75, page 25; digital images, Ancestry.ca, Ancestry.ca (accessed 15 Feb 2025); citing PRO RG 10/4178.

[D02679] Deceased Online, "Deceased Online," database, Deceased Online (DeceasedOnline.com : accessed 25 May 2025), 844.

[D02737] England and Wales, death certificate for Henry Rothwell, died 25 July 1875; citing 083/419/47, Q3 quarter 1875, Fylde registration district, Poulton le Fylde sub-district; General Register Office, Southport. Rec. Date: 20 Apr 2025.

[D09319] (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), Lancashire, England, Church of England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812, "Baptism Record - Henry Rothwell," PR 3016/1/9; digital images, ancestry.ca, ancestry.ca (accessed 3 Sep 2025).

X00381 John Taylor End-of-Line - Solved!

John Taylor is my 4x Great Grandfather and I'm looking to find his birth information and get to the the generation before. But with a very common name like John Taylor it can be very difficult.

Through the various records I have found about him, he was born around 1821 in Heywood, Lancashire, England. He died in 1861, before the 1861 census, and I have not been able to find him in the 1841 census, so the only census record that I have found him in is the 1851 census. Here's what I have found:

• 1851 Census - Age 29, suggesting a birth year of about 1822. Birthplace: Heywood, Lancashire.
• Marriage Record (1842) - No age given, but father's name give as James Taylor, a brick setter.
• Death Record (1861) - Age 40, suggesting a birth year of about 1821. No location given.

So, the evidence suggests a birth year of about 1821 in Heywood, Lancashire, with a father of James Taylor, a brick setter.

But I did some more research and managed to find a burial record which gives both parent's names:

And so we now know that his parents are named James and Rachel. I next managed to find a baptism record of a John Taylor, son of a James and Rachel Taylor in Heywood, Lancashire dated 25 March 1820

So it looks like I have found his baptism record. It doesn't give a date of birth, but the year and location coincides with what I am looking for.

On to the next challenge - to find more out about James Taylor and Rachel (X00387)!

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Sources:
[D00866] England and Wales, marriage certificate for James Taylor and Alice Ann Rothwell, married jun 28 1864; citing 8e/452/216, J quarter 1864, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

[D01629] 1851 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, folio 93, page 28; digital images(accessed 21 Feb 2025); citing PRO HO 107/2259.

[D06569] Deceased Online, "Deceased Online," database, Deceased Online ( accessed 28 Aug 2025), 295.

[D06573] England and Wales, death certificate for John Taylor, died 20 March 1861; citing 08e/245/445, Q1 quarter 1861, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

X00385: John Whittle End-of-Line

Much like my analysis for Ellen Ainsworth, I had a further look at the birth information for John Whittle, my 5x great-grandfather and did an analysis of his birth and birth place, based on the records that I have:

Record	Description	Year	Age	Est. Birth Year	Place of Birth
D01531	1841 Census	1841	39	ca 1802	Lancashire
D01630	1851 Census	1851	50	ca 1801	Blackburn
D01609	1861 Census	1861	59	ca 1803	Blackburn
D01173	Marriage Record	1823	N/A	N/A	Blackburn
D09347	Death Record	1868	64	ca 1804	N/A
D09348	Burial Record	1868	64	ca 1804	N/A

Unfortunately, the marriage record gives no information about his age. The burial record, however, lists his father's name as James Whittle.

From the records that I have, however, it does seem clear that the birthplace is Blackburn, Lancashire and that the birth year is somewhere between 1801 and 1804. We also have a father's name to go on - James Whittle. Looking at the baptism records for Blackburn in those years, however, there does not appear to be any obvious candidates, so this will require some further investigation.

X00386 Ellen Ainsworth End-of-Line

I had previously found Ellen Ainsworth Whittle's death information, so, I had a look further for her birth information.

For the first step, I did an analysis on her year of birth and birth place, based on the records that I have:

Record	Description	Year	Age	Est. Birth Year	Place of Birth
D01531	1841 Census	1841	37	ca 1804	Lancashire
D01630	1851 Census	1851	48	ca 1803	Blackburn
D01609	1861 Census	1861	57	ca 1804	Blackburn
D09345	1871 Census	1871	66	ca 1805	Blackburn
D01173	Marriage Record	1823	N/A	N/A	Blackburn
D09346	Death Record	1874	71	ca 1805	N/A

Unfortunately, the marriage record gives no information about her age and none of the records whatsoever give any information about her parents.

From the records that I have, however, it does seem clear that the birthplace is Blackburn, Lancashire and that the birth year is somewhere between 1803-1805. Looking at the baptism records for Blackburn in those years, however, there appear to be a number of Ellen Ainsworths born around that time, so this will require some further investigation.

X00385 & X00386: John Whittle and Ellen Ainsworth Death information

Having done some research on the Taylor family and found more information about Jane Whittle, my 4x great-grandmother, I'm now looking into finding out more about her parents, John Whittle (X00385) and Ellen Ainsworth (X00386).

I had found the two of them in the 1841, 1851 and 1861 census records, but hadn't found anything beyond that. So I went back to the 1861 census records. Here is the family in the 1861 census, living at 49 Forrest Street, Blackburn, Lancashire [D01609].

So, next, I had a look to see if I could find the couple in the 1871 census. I did manage to find Ellen (Ainsworth) Whittle living with her son Thomas at 48 Ordnance Street, Blackburn [D09345].

In the 1871 census, Ellen Whittle is listed as being a widow, so John Whittle must have died between 1861 and 1871.

So, I had a look at the death records between 1861 and 1871 and found a death record for a John Whittle who died 1 July 1868 in Blackburn [D09347]

There are a number of clues that suggest this is the correct John Whittle. The age, location and profession all match. The informant name of Joseph Whittle is likely their son Joseph Whittle. But most importantly, the address of 49 Forrest Street matches the family's address in the 1861 census. So I'm confident that this is the correct death record for John Whittle.

I next looked into the information for Ellen Ainsworth Whittle. I first had a look for her in the 1881 census but could not find her either alone or living with any of the family members, so it is very likely that she died between 1871 and 1881. I managed to find this death record for an Ellen Whittle who died 3 November 1874 in Blackburn [D09346]:

Like the previous record, the age and location match, and she is listed as being the widow of a John Whittle. But the deciding piece of information is the informant, a Thomas Whittle who resided at 48 Ordnance Street in Blackburn, the same residence that the family was living at in the 1871 census. So, I'm confident that this is also the correct death record.

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Sources:
[D01609] 1861 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, folio 127, page 30; digital images(accessed 21 Feb 2025); citing PRO RG 9/3100.

[D09345] 1871 census of England, Blackburn, folio 79, page 32, 146; digital images, Ancestry.ca, Ancestry.ca (accessed 27 Aug 2025); citing PRO RG 10/4177.

[D09346] England and Wales, death certificate for Ellen Whittle, died 3 November 1874; citing 8e/263/532, Q4 quarter 1874, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

[D09347] England and Wales, death certificate for John Whittle, died 1 July 1868; citing 8e/212/173, Q3 quarter 1868, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

A Mysterious Cluster of Loss: Taylor Family Deaths in Blackburn, 1861

While researching the Taylor family of Blackburn, Lancashire, I stumbled upon a striking and somber detail: three members of the same household died within months of each other in 1861.

• John Taylor, my 4× great-grandfather, passed away on 20 March 1861
• Jane Whittle Taylor, his wife and my 4× great-grandmother, died on 25 June 1861
• Thomas Taylor, their child, died just days later on 1 July 1861

Whenever I encounter multiple deaths in a family within a short span, I can’t help but wonder - was there an underlying cause? An outbreak? A shared vulnerability? Something more than coincidence?

I obtained the death records for all three, and here’s what they revealed:

• John Taylor – Influenza
• Jane Whittle Taylor – Bronchial phthisis and pleuritis
• Thomas Taylor – Asthenia

At first glance, these appear to be unrelated conditions. Influenza is viral, while bronchial phthisis (often associated with tuberculosis) is bacterial. Asthenia, meanwhile, is a term for general physical weakness. But all three illnesses affect the respiratory system and can be interlinked in subtle ways. Prolonged influenza can weaken the lungs and immune system, potentially leading to bronchial phthisis. Asthenia may result from either condition—or make someone more susceptible to them.

Disease and Hardship in 1860s Lancashire
The 1860s were a turbulent time for public health in industrial England, especially in densely populated areas like Blackburn. The rapid growth of towns during the Industrial Revolution brought overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited access to medical care—perfect conditions for disease to spread.

Several illnesses were rampant during this period:

• Influenza outbreaks were common and often severe. Without vaccines or antiviral treatments, even seasonal flu could be deadly, especially for the elderly or those with underlying conditions.
• Tuberculosis (phthisis) was one of the leading causes of death. It spread easily in cramped living conditions and could linger for years, slowly weakening its victims.
• Typhus and typhoid fever also struck hard, particularly in 1862 when Preston—just a short distance from Blackburn—experienced a major typhus outbreak amid the Lancashire Cotton Famine.
• Asthenia, though a vague diagnosis by today’s standards, often reflected the debilitating effects of chronic illness, malnutrition, or systemic infection.

Medical understanding was still in its infancy. Germ theory hadn’t yet gained full acceptance, and treatments were rudimentary at best. Temporary fever hospitals were erected during outbreaks, but even medical staff were at high risk—one account from Preston describes a typhus outbreak where the medical officer and 16 nurses died from the disease.

In this context, the deaths of John, Jane, and Thomas Taylor in 1861 may well have been part of a broader wave of illness sweeping through Lancashire. Whether it was a household outbreak of influenza that triggered complications, or a convergence of separate but related conditions, the tragedy reflects the vulnerability of families during this era. We may never know for certain what happened. But moments like this remind me how fragile life was in the 19th century—and how much we can learn by looking beyond the names and dates to the stories hidden in the records.

X00382 James-Betty-Charlotte Taylor Connection - Solved!

James Taylor (1845-1893) is my third great grandfather. He died on 17 April 1893 in Blackburn, Lancashire England. A hint came up in Ancestry referring me to a burial record through deceased online.

In the record, there is a James Taylor buried in Blackburn Cemetery 20 April 1893, so that definitely fits the time period for a death of 17 April 1893.

But now we have an interesting research question - who are the other three people who are buried in the same location? There's a Charlotte Taylor who died 1904, a Betty Taylor who died 1901 and another James Taylor who died in 1899. None of these names or dates match the Taylors in my tree.

So, I decided to get the full burial records for each of them. The first thing that I found was that the James Taylor was not my thrid great grandfather:

This James Taylor was age one when he died and was the sone of James and Betty Taylor. James Taylor is certainly not an uncommon name, but it looks as if there were two James Taylors who died around the same time in Blackburn.

When I look at the burial records and ages for the individuals on this burial record, here is what we have:

• Charlotte Taylor - ca. 1881 - 1904, saughter of James and Betty Taylor
• Betty Taylor - ca. 1852 - 1901. rel. of James Taylor
• James Taylor - ca. 1855 - 1899, husband of Betty
• James Taylor - ca. 1892 - 1893, son of James and Betty Taylor

So, there we have the full details for the four of them. James and Betty are the parents and two of their children are Charlotte and James. None of these names or dates match with my tree. I did have a look to see if I could find more about this family. According to the marriage record, James Taylor's father is named John (same as my ancestor) but it looks like a different familyl completely. So at this point, I am concluding that there is no clear connection to my familiy and this one.

Profile: Mary Alice Taylor Lee

Ancestor Profile: Mary Alice Taylor Lee (1867–1938)
Born into the heart of industrial Lancashire, Mary Alice Taylor Lee lived a life woven into the fabric of Blackburn’s working-class history. Her story is one of resilience, family, and quiet strength—an enduring legacy that echoes through generations.

Early Life
Mary Alice Taylor was born on January 7, 1867, in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. She was baptized just weeks later on January 27 at a Church of England parish in Blackburn. Her parents were James Taylor (1845–1893) and Alice Ann Rothwell (1844–1872).

In the 1871 census, Mary is listed as a scholar living at 42 Milham Street. Her mother’s death in 1872 likely had a profound impact on her early life.

Working Years
Mary entered the workforce early, appearing in the 1881 census as a cotton weaver residing at 11 New Mill Street. She continued this occupation through the 1891 census, where she was listed as a lodger at 133 Cleaver Street, living with her sister and brother-in-law.

By 1901, she lived at 57 Moss Street, and in 1911, she was still working as a weaver. The 1921 census shows a shift—her occupation is listed as home duties, and she resided at 9 Progress Street.

Marriage & Family
Mary married Thomas Lee (circa 1866–circa 1946) on August 8, 1891, at St. Michael and All Angels Church in Blackburn. Together, they had four children:

• Eliza Alice Lee (b. circa 1893)
• James Lee (b. circa 1895)
• Clara Lee (b. circa 1902)
• Robert Lee (b. circa 1903)

Final Years & Legacy
Mary passed away on November 17, 1938, at 42 Derby Street, Blackburn. Her cause of death was listed as cerebral haemorrhage and bronchitis. She was buried on November 22 at Blackburn Cemetery.

Her life—documented through birth, marriage, death certificates, and census records—offers a vivid portrait of a woman who weathered the challenges of industrial England, raised a family, and contributed to the legacy of a town built on labor and love.

Source Citations

• Birth Certificate: England and Wales, GRO Southport
• Baptism Record: Church of England, Blackburn
• Marriage Record: St. Michael and All Angels, Blackburn
• Death Certificate: England and Wales, GRO Southport
• Burial Record: Deceased Online
• Census Records: 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911, 1921
• Father's Baptism & Census: 1851, 1861
• Mother's Birth Certificate: GRO Southport

Uncovering Mary Alice Taylor: A Hidden Branch of My Family Tree

As I delve deeper into the Rothwell family line, I’ve found myself drawn into the lives of their extended family - the Taylors. One name in particular stood out: Mary Alice Taylor, my second great grand aunt. She was the daughter of James Taylor and Alice Ann Rothwell, and sister to Jane Taylor (Place), my second great grandmother. Yet, despite her close familial ties, Mary Alice remained something of a mystery in my research.

What I Knew
From census records, I knew that Mary Alice was born around 1867 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. She appears consistently in household records through the 1891 census, living with her family. But I hadn't found anything beyond the 1891 census.

A Hint from Ancestry
Ancestry.com offered a possible clue: a marriage to a Thomas Lee around 1891. Intrigued, I began to investigate.

Sure enough, I found a marriage record dated 8 August 1891 in Blackburn between a Thomas Lee and a Mary Alice Taylor. At first glance, it seemed promising. The bride’s father was listed as James Taylor — a match. But then came a snag: his occupation was recorded as beer seller, whereas in every other record I’ve found, James Taylor is consistently listed as a striker for a blacksmith.

This discrepancy gave me pause. Could this be a different Mary Alice Taylor?

The Clue That Confirmed It
Then I noticed something compelling: Mary Alice’s address on the marriage record was 133 Cleaver Street, Blackburn. That’s the exact same address where she was living during the 1891 census—with her sister Jane and her family.

That detail sealed it for me. Despite the occupational mismatch, the address provides strong evidence that this is indeed my Mary Alice Taylor.

What’s Next?
This discovery opens up a new chapter in Mary Alice’s life—one that I hadn’t previously documented. It also raises new questions: Did James Taylor briefly work as a beer seller? Was this a clerical error? Or perhaps a side occupation not captured in other records?

That’s a research thread I’ll follow another day. For now, I’m thrilled to have reconnected with Mary Alice and added another piece to the puzzle of my family’s story.

X00383 The Mystery of Betsy Taylor - Solved!

A Tangent in the Taylor-Whittle Tree: The Mystery of Betsy Taylor

Genealogy often leads you down unexpected paths. While deep in the weeds of tracing the Rothwell family, I recently found myself taking a detour — one that pulled me back into the tangled branches of the Taylor-Whittle line. I hadn’t planned on shifting my focus, but sometimes a name, a hunch, or a missing piece of the puzzle can spark a new direction in the research.

This time, the name was Betsy Taylor.

While reviewing several public family trees on Ancestry, I noticed that quite a few researchers had included a daughter named Betsy Taylor, reportedly born in 1858, as a member of the Taylor-Whittle family. What stood out immediately was how little information followed her name—no marriage, no death, no census entries. Just her birth year and a deafening silence after that. It piqued my curiosity. Who was this mysterious Betsy? And did she actually belong in this family?

As I combed through census records and other documents tied to the Taylor-Whittles, one thing became increasingly clear: Betsy never appeared with the family in any records beyond her supposed birth. If she truly was their daughter, her absence in later documents suggested she may have died young—likely before the 1861 census.

The only source cited across those Ancestry trees was a GRO (General Register Office) birth index entry—nothing more. So I headed straight for the GRO indexes myself to see if I could locate the original record. Sure enough, there it was: a Betsy Taylor, born in 1858 in Blackburn, with a mother’s maiden name listed as Whittle. On the surface, it looked like a perfect match. Right place, right time, and the right surname connection. Encouraged, I ordered the birth certificate, hoping it would either confirm her place in the Taylor-Whittle tree or finally put the speculation to rest.

When the certificate arrived, the mystery began to unravel. The parents were listed as Francis Taylor and Nancy Taylor, formerly Whittle. So yes — Betsy was the daughter of a Taylor and a Whittle, just not our Taylor and Whittle. She belonged to an entirely different family.

Interestingly, this discovery hinted at a broader pattern: there may have been more than one Taylor-Whittle union occurring in Blackburn around the same period. That alone is worth investigating further. However, with Taylor being one of the most common surnames in the region, it may be more of a coincidence than two brothers from one family marrying two sisters from another.

In the end, the mystery of Betsy Taylor served as a reminder of how easy it is for names to blur, families to overlap, and assumptions to take root in family trees. But it also underscored the importance of digging deeper, ordering the records, and following the threads with care. Even a small detour can shed light on the broader landscape—and sometimes lead to entirely new stories waiting to be told.

X00375 Henry Rothwell 1838-1840 - Solved!

I've gone back to look at X00375 and the birth and death information for Henry Rothwell 1838-1840 again. I still have not been able to find a birth record from the GRO for a Henry Rothwell that has a maiden name for the mother of Hacking.

But instead, I had another look at the father's professions in the baptism, death and burial records:

• Baptism (1838) Father's profession: Ostler
• Death (1840) Father's profession: Ostler
• Burial (1840) Father's profession: Not given

The fact that the baptism and death records both list the father as being an ostler is good evidence that the two are related. The question is, is the father (also named Henry Rothwell) the one in my family.

I had a look at some other records to see if the profession is the same. In later years, Henry Rothwell, the father's profession is given as a carter most often. Both ostlers and carters work with horses, so that is a good indication. But in the baptism records for both Mary Rothwell (1836) and James H.R. Rothwell (1835), Henry's profession is listed as being an ostler

And with that, I'm willing to conclude that Henry Rothwell (1838-1840) is connected to my Rothwell family.

X00370 & X00371 Nancy Rothwell Birth info - Solved!

Nancy Rothwell appears in the 1841 census living with the rest of the Rothwell family, aged 13 (implying a birth year of about 1828). Unfortunately, she doesn't appear in any later census records with the family that I could find.

This information created a few questions as described in previous posts:

• X00370 - Birth information for Nancy Rothwell
• X00371 - When did Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking get married?

I have found a marriage record for Henry and Alice in 1833

A marriage in 1833 implies that Nancy was likely born before the marriage. And sure enough I found an interesting baptism record:

It's a baptism record for a Nancy Rothwell, baptised 21 May 1841 and the parents are Henry and Alice Rothwell. And Henry is listed as a carter which matches. The actual date of birth however is given as 2 April 1828, which would match. So, it's a definite possibility that Nancy was born 2 April 1828 out of wedlock, but was baptised later in life (at age 13) when the parents were married.

So this fits. I did however, find a baptism record dated 11 Oct 1829 for a Nanny Hacking, born to an Alice Hacking, with no father listed:

This could be an original baptism record, but the date and location don't match and there's not enough other information to tell for sure.

I did also look into the possibility that Alice Hacking as married previously and found a marriage record between an Alice Strong and a James Hacking on 28 November 1828.

But this seems unlikely. For one thing, Alice is listed as a spinster in the 1833 marriage record, and the name Hacking appears as a middle name for one of her children. Also, the marriage would have taken place after Nancy was born, according to her later baptism. So, it would seem that this is more of a coincidence than anything else. I have also found James and Alice Hacking in later census records.

After considering the evidence and timing, it would appear that the 1841 baptism record for Nancy Rothwell and the 1833 marriage record for Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking are the correct records.

Profile: The Bass Family

The Bass Lineage: A Weaver’s Legacy in Blackburn

When Mary Alice Rawcliffe Rothwell married John Bass on 2 March 1882 at the Furthergate Congregational Church, she laid the foundation for a new chapter in the Rawcliffe family story — one that continued to spin its threads in Blackburn’s weaving sheds and bustling neighborhoods.

John Bass, born around 1861, shared Mary Alice’s industrious spirit, and together they raised a large family against the backdrop of cotton mills and rapidly changing times. Their first child, Aquila Bass, arrived the same year they married, in 1882. Though his life was heartbreakingly short — he passed away in 1890 — he was the forerunner of a line that would carry the Bass name into the 20th century.

The couple’s second child, Martha Bass, born around 1885, also died in infancy. Despite these early losses, the family continued to grow. Their daughter Alice (born circa 1887) and son Samuel (born around 1888) would have come of age as Blackburn navigated the final decades of the Victorian era. The family's resilience was evident as they moved from Alker Street to Cook Street, where Mary Alice lived out her final years.

The youngest children — Harry, William, and Elizabeth Bass — were born between the mid-1890s and 1899. Records indicate Harry passed away in childhood, but William and Elizabeth likely saw the dawn of modern Britain, shaped by the industrial landscape their parents had known so intimately.

Living at 18 Cook Street by 1911, Mary Alice managed a household that had endured hardship yet remained rooted in love, labor, and endurance. Her death in 1916 at that address marked the end of an era, but the Bass children and their descendants would carry her legacy forward.

Though their stories are still unfolding, the Bass family’s roots in Blackburn are planted deep in the same soil that nourished the Rawcliffes — a testament to endurance, work ethic, and the bonds of kinship.

Profile: Rawcliffe Family

The Rawcliffe Family of Blackburn: A Legacy Woven Through Lancashire’s Cotton Mills

The Rawcliffe family story unfolds in the heart of industrial Lancashire, where weaving looms, cobbled streets, and a tightly knit community defined the rhythms of life. At its center stands Martha Alice Rothwell, born on 25 April 1840 in Blackburn, to Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking. Although her birth year fluctuates across records—from 1837 to 1841—what remains constant is her enduring presence in Blackburn’s working-class fabric, quite literally: she was a cotton weaver her entire adult life.

In 1864, Martha married Samuel Rawcliffe at St. Michael’s Church in Blackburn. Samuel, likely born around 1839, also in Blackburn, worked variously as a labourer, carter, and general haulier. The pair shared a life that saw them move through multiple addresses—Alker Street, Swarbrick Street, Cob Street—places which map the flow of Lancashire’s industrial heartbeat. They remained in Blackburn throughout their lives and were residing on Birley Street when Martha passed away on 22 July 1899, following a cerebral apoplexy. Samuel, still living and working at the same address as a carter at the time, faded from official records not long afterward.

Together, Martha and Samuel had one biological daughter, Mary Alice Rawcliffe Rothwell, born 1 May 1861 at Union Buildings, Blackburn. Her middle name, Rothwell, perhaps signifies the importance of her maternal lineage. Like her mother, Mary Alice entered the weaving trade, working half-time by the age of ten. Over the years, she lived mostly on Alker Street and Cook Street before her death on 15 February 1916 due to a cerebral hemorrhage. She married John Bass in 1882 at the Furthergate Congregational Church. Their seven children included Aquila, Martha, Alice, Samuel, Harry, William, and Elizabeth—a testament to a thriving family legacy rooted firmly in Blackburn.


The Rawcliffe family profile—built from scattered census entries, occupational listings, church records, and burial sites—forms a poignant and richly textured tapestry of working-class resilience. Their story, while deeply local to Blackburn, echoes the larger narrative of 19th-century English industrial life: anchored by hard labour, uplifted by family, and quietly heroic in its constancy.

X00377 Who are Richard Rothwell's Parents

In last week's post about Alice Rothwell's date of death, you may have noticed that the witness on the death certificate was an "R. Rothwell, grandson"

The question is, who is this R. Rothwell and where does he fall in the tree?

There is a Richard Rothwell who appears in both the 1861 and 1871 census records, living with Henry Rothwell and Alice Rothwell and listed as their grandson.

From the census records, what we know about Richard Rothwell is that he was born about 1855 in Blackburn, Lancashire and is the grandson of Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking Rothwell. But the question is, who are his parents?

The most likely candidate would be James H.R. Rothwell and Margaret Airey, who were married in 1856. James Rothwell is the only Rothwell son that I am aware of that would have been alive in 1855. But there are some problems with that; the first being that the birth would have been before the marriage. But also, Richard does not appear in the later census records with either of his parents.

As for other possibilities, there could be an additional child of Henry and Alice Rothwell that I haven't yet discovered. Or Richard could be the child of an unmarried Rothwell daughter. To this point, I have not been able to find a birth record that fits the possible scenarios.

Next Steps:

• Look for birth/baptism record
• Investigate James H.R. Rothwell and Margaret Airey after 1856 [X00376]
• Look for Richard Rothwell in later census records
• Look for Richard Rothwell in later marriage or death records
• Trace daughters of Henry and Alice Rothwell to see if they may have been the parent

X00373 Alice Rothwell Date of Death

Similarly to my research on the death date for Henry Rothwell, I had a similar issue for finding the death date of his wife, Alice. She appeared in the 1881 census, but I could not find her in any later census records, so presumably she died between 1881 and 1891. I had found a death certificate that looked to fit:

The location of Blackburn and the address of Alker street are consistent with my Alice Rothwell. The year of birth is a little off (about 1810 vs about 1807) but still close. She is listed as the husband of a Henry Rothwell, although as established previously, there were more than one Henry and Alice Rothwell couples living in the area at the time.

I managed to find her in a burial record for Blackburn Cemetary:

Then I checked the other names in the same plot. This is the same burial location as the Henry Rothwell that I have recently determined is the correct one, which would also suggest that this Alice Rothwell is also the right one.

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Sources:
[D01347] 1881 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, folio 24, page 41; digital images, Ancestry.ca, Ancestry.ca (accessed 15 Feb 2025); citing PRO RG 11/4189.

[D02680] Deceased Online, "Deceased Online," database, Deceased Online (Deceasedonline.com : accessed 25 May 2025), 1492.

[D02683] England and Wales, death certificate for Alice Rothwell, died 4 November 1889; citing 08e/292/476, Q4 quarter 1889, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn Southern sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

The Bass Family: A Story of Strength and Legacy in Blackburn

The Bass family of Blackburn, Lancashire, represents a rich historical narrative woven into the fabric of England’s industrial past. Their story is one of hard work, resilience, and deep family connections, spanning generations and shifting through the changing landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

John Bass & Mary Alice Rawcliffe Bass: A Union of Two Legacies
John Bass married Mary Alice Rawcliffe Rothwell on March 2, 1882, in Blackburn, Lancashire, as recorded in official marriage documents [D02686].

Mary Alice was born on May 1, 1861, and baptized in Blackburn, England [D09287, D09294]. Her life was deeply connected to the working-class realities of Blackburn, a town shaped by the demands of the textile industry and evolving urban development.

The couple resided in multiple locations throughout Blackburn, as documented in the 1891, 1901, and 1911 censuses [D09289, D09290, D09291]. They established a home at 30 Cook Street, where their lives intertwined with the growing industrial presence of the town.

The Children of John and Mary Alice Bass
The Bass family was blessed with children who grew up amidst the bustling streets of Blackburn, each contributing to the family’s legacy in unique ways:

• Aquilla Bass (circa 1881-1890)
• Martha Bass (1885-1885)
• Alice Bass (circa 1887 - ?)
• Samuel Bass (circa 1888 - ?)
• Harry Bass (circa 1895 - 1899)
• William Bass (circa 1897 - ?)
• Elizabeth Bass (circa 1899 - ?)

The presence of the Bass children in the household is noted in various census documents, tracing their journey from childhood to adulthood within the industrial town.

A Life of Transition: Mary Alice’s Final Years
Mary Alice passed away on February 15, 1916, in Blackburn. Her death certificate confirms the event, reflecting the closing chapter of her enduring journey [D09292]. She was later laid to rest in Blackburn, as documented in burial records [D09293].

A Family’s Mark on Blackburn
The Bass family’s historical footprint is preserved through various records, from marriage certificates to census data. Their journey—from the union of John and Mary Alice to their evolving residence in Blackburn—paints a vivid picture of working-class life in England during a time of change and development.

Their experiences reflect the hardships and triumphs of a family navigating an industrializing world, securing their place within the fabric of Blackburn’s rich history.

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Sources:
[D02686] England and Wales, marriage certificate for John Bass and Mary Alice Rawcliffe Rothwell, married 2 March 1882; citing 08e/546/147, Q1 quarter 1882, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

[D09287] (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), Lancashire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1911, "Baptism Record - Mary Alice Rothwell," 3069; digital images, ancestry.ca, ancestry.ca

[D09289] 1891 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 137, page 14, 87; digital images, Ancestry, Ancestry.ca (accessed 19 May 2025); citing PRO RG 12/3405.

[D09290] 1901 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 94, page 18, 120; digital images, Ancestry.com (accessed 19 May 2025); citing PRO RG 13/3912.

[D09291] 1911 census of England, 30 Cook Street; digital images, Ancestry.com (accessed 19 May 2025); citing RG 78 PN 25048, RG 14, registration district (RD) Blackburn, sub district (SD) Blackburn Northern, enumeration district (ED) 22, schedule number (SN) 187.

[D09292] England and Wales, death certificate for Mary Alice Rawcliffe Bass, died 15 February 1916; citing 8e/475/29, Q1 quarter 1916, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

[D09293] (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), "Burial Record - Mary Alice Bass," 46; digital images, Deceased Online, Deceasedonline.com

[D09294] England and Wales, birth certificate for Mary Alice Rothwell, born 1 May 1861; citing 8e/345/214, Q2 quarter 1861, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

Bass Family missing children

A few weeks ago, I had talked about the surname Bass that I came across in researching the Rothwell family of Blackburn. I ddecided to have a further look into the family.

One thing that I like about the 1911 Census of England is that it asks the questions not only of how many living children the family has, but also how many children that have deceased. It's a great way to check your research, but it sometimes opens up mysteries.

I managed to find the Bass familiy in the 1911 census:

In the census return, it gives numbers of four living children and three deceased children. The four living children - Alice, Samuel, William and Elizabeth were all living at home at the time of the 1911 census and so are easy to verify. But who were the three deceased children?

Well, we know of at least one of them, Martha Bass (1885-1885) from previous investigaions.

I did some digging and I managed to find a burial record for Mary Alice Rothwell Bass for Blackburn Cemetery

I then looked to see if there were other individuals buried in the same plot and found a Harry Bass who died in 1899, aged 4 and an Aquilla Bass who died in 1890, aged 8.

So, it looks like the mystery has been solved. The three missing children are:

• Aquilla Bass (Circa 1882 - 1990)
• Martha Bass (1885-1885)
• Harry Bass (Circa 1895-19890)

None of the three lived long enough to appear on any census records, which is why I hadn't found out about them until the 1911 census.

With the three missing children found, it's now on to writing up a family profile for the Bass family.