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.