X00369: Investigating the Rothwell Family: The Case of Ellen Rothwell

As I delve deeper into the history of the Rothwell family, my focus has recently shifted to their children. While exploring various family trees on Ancestry, I came across a child named Ellen Rothwell, who supposedly was born in 1842 and lived until 1851. Since she did not survive long enough to appear on any census records, confirming her connection to my Rothwell family has proven to be a challenging task.

In my quest for answers, I searched for a baptism record and discovered an Ellen Rothwell born on May 23, 1842, and baptized on July 2, 1842, in Blackburn, Lancashire. The parents listed on the record were Henry and Alice Rothwell, which seemed to be a good match. However, the father's profession was recorded as "labourer" rather than "carter," which he is usually listed as, leaving some room for doubt.

Undeterred, I turned to the General Register Office (GRO) indexes and found a birth record for an Ellen Rothwell that listed the mother's maiden name as "Hacking." This detail appeared promising and warranted further investigation. The next logical step was to order the birth certificate to verify the information and uncover any additional clues.

Similarly, I found a GRO index for a death record of an Ellen Rothwell in Blackburn in March 1851. This date aligns with the information I have, as it would have been before the census was taken. However, to confirm this, I will need to order the death certificate as well.

As I continue to piece together the story of the Rothwell family, each discovery brings me closer to unraveling the mysteries of my ancestors. Stay tuned for more updates and revelations in future blog posts.