Profile: Ellen Rothwell

Now that I have sorted out the information for Ellen Rothwell and have connected her to the family, I can write up a profile for her.

Ellen Rothwell was born on July 7, 1842, in the historic town of Blackburn, Lancashire, England. A child of Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking, her brief life story reflects the poignant reality faced by many in the 19th century.

Birth and Baptism: Ellen entered the world on a summer's day in 1842. She was baptized on March 23, 1843, in her hometown of Blackburn. This ceremony, an important rite of passage, marked her initiation into the local church community.

Family Background: Ellen was the beloved daughter of Henry Rothwell (c. 1812-1875(?)) and Alice Hacking (c. 1807-1889(?)). Her father, Henry, lived to see the changing times of the late 19th century, while her mother, Alice, outlived him by more than a decade. Their lives were intertwined with the fabric of Blackburn’s industrial growth.

Tragic Early Death: Sadly, Ellen's life was cut short by consumption, a common term for tuberculosis. She passed away on May 31, 1844, just shy of her second birthday. This devastating illness took a heavy toll on many families during that period. She was laid to rest on June 2, 1844, in Blackburn.

Legacy: Though her time on this earth was brief, Ellen Rothwell's story is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring bonds of family. Her life, though short, remains a vital thread in the rich tapestry of the Rothwell family's history.

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Sources:
[D09228] (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), Lancashire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms 1813-1911, "Baptism Record – Ellen Rothwell," PR 3037/1/18; digital images, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com

[D09229] England and Wales, birth certificate for Ellen Rothwell, born 7 July 1842; citing 21/10/228, 3 quarter 1842, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

[D09230] England and Wales, death certificate, died 31 May 1844; citing 21/19/218, 2 quarter 1844, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

[D09232] (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), Lancashire, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1986, "Burial Record - Ellen Rothwell," 534; digital images, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com

Profile: Rachel Taylor 1855-1855

As I have been researching the Rothwell family, I have also come across a child in the connected Taylor family of Blackburn, Lancashire who was born and died in between the census years and therefore did not appear in any census records. I have managed to trace her birth, baptism, death and burial records. I have put together the below profile for Rachel Taylor:

Remembering Rachel Taylor (1855-1855): A Brief Life in Victorian England

In the bustling industrial town of Blackburn, Lancashire, England, in the mid-19th century, a baby girl named Rachel Taylor was born. Rachel entered the world on February 26, 1855, into a family already brimming with life and activity. Her father, John Taylor, and mother, Jane Whittle, were steadfast parents working hard to provide for their growing family. John Taylor worked as a labourer in a foundry.

Rachel was christened just a few weeks later, on March 14, 1855, in Blackburn. As her parents held her close during the baptismal ceremony, they must have been filled with hopes and dreams for their youngest daughter's future.

The Taylor family resided at 25 Daisy Street, a modest home in Blackburn. It was within these walls that Rachel spent her brief but cherished moments. Surrounded by her siblings — James, Mary Elizabeth, Ellen and John - Rachel was part of a close-knit family. Her oldest brother, James, was nearly ten years her senior, while her youngest brother, John, was just a toddler at the time.

Tragically, Rachel's life was cut short by the harsh realities of the time. On September 27, 1855, after just seven months of life, she succumbed to influenza pneumonia, a common and deadly illness in Victorian England. Rachel's passing left a void in the Taylor family, who mourned the loss of their precious daughter and sister.

Rachel was laid to rest on September 30, 1855, in Blackburn. Her brief presence, though fleeting, was deeply felt by those who knew and loved her. The Taylor family's story continued, marked by both the joys and sorrows that characterized life during that era.

As we remember Rachel Taylor, we honor her short but meaningful journey and the love that surrounded her. Her story is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring bonds of family.

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Sources:
[D09238] (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), Lancashire, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials 1813-1986, "Burial Record - Rachel Taylor," 3212; digital images, ancestry.ca, ancestry.ca.

[D09242] (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), Lancashire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1911, "Baptism Record - Rachel Taylor," 1098; digital images, ancestry.ca, ancestry.ca.

[D09247] England and Wales, birth certificate, born 26 February 1855; citing 08E/284/158, Q1 quarter 1855, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

[D09249] England and Wales, death certificate for Rachel Taylor, died 27 September 1855; citing 08e/169/132, Q3 quarter 1855, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

X00375: Henry Rothwell 1838-1840

I'm investigating Henry Rothwell who, much like Ellen Reynolds is a potential child of Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking who lived between census years and therefore never shows up on a census record. Also, much like Ellen Reynolds, I found out about Henry Rothwell through other family trees.

The main sources of evidence for Henry Rothwell are two records from St. Paul's Church in Blackburn

The first is a baptism record from 1838

It shows a baptism date of 28 August 1838; parents of Henry and Alice Rothwell. The family is located in Blackburn and the father's occupation is listed as a "cutter" (if I read that correctly). So, it all fits, although no definite proof that is the same family, as there may have been more than one Henry and Alice Rothwell living in the area.

Then, I came across a burial record:

The burial record gives a burial date of 9 February 1840 and an age at death of 17 months, which would correspond to a birthdate around August of 1838, so it fits. Unfortunately, the record doesn't give us an additional information to link back to the family.

So, next I found a death record

The death record gives a date of 5 February 1840 of typhoid fever. It confirms the partents names of Henry and Alice Rothwell, so it matches with the baptism record, but unfortunately, still doesn't directly link back to my family

What would be helpful would be to find a birth record, as that would likely give the mother's maiden name. Unfortunately, I have been checking with the records at the GRO, and have not been able to find any Henry Rothwells born in or around Blackburn in 1838. So, I'm still searching for that definite link.

X00369: Investigating Ellen Rothwell - Solved!

A few weeks ago, I posted about Ellen Rothwell's birth and death. I have since received the birth and death information from the GRO.

Here's the birth record:

and here's the death record:

The birth record gives a maiden name for the mother of Hacking, so that matches. The death record mentions that she was a daughter of Henry Rothwell, and the informant is Alice Rothwell. Both have ties back to my Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking. Based on when I'm seeing in these records, I'm convinced that these are the correct birth and death records for Ellen Rothwell and that she is died to my Rothwell family.