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.

The Slater Family: A Legacy Woven Through Time

In the heart of Blackburn, Lancashire, the Slater family carved out a life defined by resilience, hard work, and an unbreakable bond. Their story spans decades, intertwining with the region’s historic textile industry and the challenges of an evolving world.

Mary Rothwell Slater (1836–1903): A Life of Determination
Born in the bustling town of Blackburn in circa 1836, Mary Rothwell was baptized on September 3, 1836. Like many women of her time, she dedicated her life to weaving—a craft that sustained her from her early years into late adulthood. She worked as a cotton weaver through multiple decades, adjusting to the demands of industry while raising her family.

Mary married George Slater on December 19, 1854, marking the beginning of a partnership that would shape their family’s trajectory. They resided in various homes across Blackburn, moving between Turner Lane, Barnes Street, and Alker Street, each location serving as a backdrop to their growing household.

Later in life, Mary found herself in the Blackburn Union Workhouse, a solemn reality for many elderly individuals during that era. She passed away on November 29, 1903, from senile decay, and was laid to rest in Blackburn Cemetery on December 5, 1903.

George Slater (Born circa 1834): The Weaver’s Journey
George Slater, whose birth records vary between 1832 and 1837, was a lifelong weaver and laborer. His journey reflects the shifting economic landscape of 19th-century Blackburn. Like Mary, he contributed to the cotton industry, working as a weaver in 1854 and continuing this trade for decades.

His family life revolved around Mary and their four children—William Henry, Alma, Margaret Alice, and Rothwell Slater—each of whom carried forward the family’s legacy in their own ways.

The Slater Children: A Generation of Tradesmen and Women
The children of George and Mary Slater grew up surrounded by the sights and sounds of Blackburn’s industrial landscape. They each contributed to the weaving industry at some point in their lives:

• William Henry Slater (Born circa 1856) – From a young age, he worked as a scholar before transitioning into cotton weaving like his parents.
• Alma Slater (Born circa 1858) – Followed in his father’s footsteps, working as a cotton weaver in Blackburn.
• Margaret Alice Slater (Born circa 1859) – A weaver from her youth, she later married John Riches in Feathergate Congregational Church in 1879.
• Rothwell Slater (Born circa 1863) – Like his siblings, Rothwell took up cotton weaving, marking the family’s enduring connection to the textile industry.

A Story of Perseverance
The Slater family’s tale is one of steadfast perseverance, navigating the challenges of industrial Lancashire while ensuring their trade sustained future generations. From the looms of Blackburn’s bustling mills to the hardships of the Union Workhouse, their experiences reflect the larger narrative of working-class life in 19th-century England.

Their legacy—woven into the very fabric of Blackburn’s history—remains a testament to the resilience and strength of families who shaped the world one thread at a time.

Ancestor Profile: Mary Rothwell – A Life Woven Through the Mills of Blackburn

Mary Rothwell was born around 1836 in Blackburn, Lancashire, a town at the heart of the Industrial Revolution’s textile boom. Her baptism on 3 September 1836 at Blackburn’s parish church marks the earliest confirmed record of her life. While multiple documents list varying birth years—from 1833 to 1840—her baptism suggests a birth in mid to late 1836¹.

She was the daughter of Henry Rothwell (c.1812–1875) and Alice Hacking (c.1807–1889), part of a working-class family that endured the trials and transformations of Victorian England.

The Weaver’s World
Mary spent her entire life in Blackburn, where from a young age she worked as a cotton weaver—a common but demanding job for women in Lancashire’s textile mills. In 1851, she was living at Ewood Bridge and already employed in the cotton trade³. Her trade would remain consistent throughout her life, recorded as her occupation in the 1851, 1871, and 1881 censuses³⁵⁸.

On 19 December 1854, Mary married George Slater, another cotton worker, at Blackburn⁴. The couple was living on Turner Lane at the time and both listed weaving as their profession. Their lives were emblematic of the many families who navigated marriage, work, and child-rearing within the constraints of factory schedules and industrial housing.

Home and Family
Mary and George had at least four children:

• William Henry Slater, born around 1856⁹
• Alma Slater, born around 1858⁵
• Margaret Alice Slater, born around 1859⁵
• Rothwell Slater, born around 1863⁸

Their homes shifted over the decades but remained within Blackburn. In 1861, they were living at 9 Barnes Street, and by 1871, they had moved to 85 Alker Street, where they remained at least through 1881⁹⁵⁸.

Decline and the Workhouse
The 1901 census paints a somber picture of Mary’s final years. She was listed as a "chairwoman"—possibly a home-based job or informal labor—and living in the Blackburn Union Workhouse¹⁰. Notably, she was described as a “lunatic”, a label commonly (and often inaccurately) applied in Victorian records to those with mental illness, dementia, or other cognitive challenges.

Mary died on 29 November 1903 at the workhouse (then located at 24 Copperfield Street) from senile decay, an outdated term often referring to age-related mental decline⁶⁷. She was buried in Blackburn Cemetery on 5 December 1903⁶.

George Slater – Husband and Mill Worker
Born around 1834, George Slater shared Mary’s life of weaving and resilience. The son of Lawrence Slater, George also experienced uncertain birth dates ranging from 1832 to 1837²³⁴. Like Mary, his occupation was listed as a cotton weaver across several census decades²³⁴, and he lived with her at their various Blackburn addresses.

Records after the 1881 census grow quiet about George, and it’s unknown whether he passed before Mary or simply left fewer records behind.

Legacy
Mary Rothwell’s life is a vivid example of a 19th-century working-class woman in industrial Britain. From the cotton mills of Blackburn to the workhouse in her later years, Mary endured hardship with persistence typical of many women in her era. Her story, pieced together through historical records, offers a glimpse into the life of a Lancashire cotton weaver and the unspoken struggles of the Victorian poor.

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Sources
1. (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), Lancashire England, Church of England Births and Baptisms 1813-1911, "Baptism Record - Mary Rothwell,"; digital images, ancestry.ca, ancestry.ca [D09244].

2. 1841 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, folio 4, page 1, 24; digital images; citing PRO HO 107/502/14. [D01529].

3. 1851 census of England, Haslingden, Lancashire, folio 244, page 14; digital images; citing PRO HO 107/2250. [D01628].

4. England and Wales, marriage certificate for George Slater and Mary Rothwell, married 19 December 1854; citing 08e/503/9, Q4 quarter 1854, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport. [D09270].

5. 1871 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 45, page 27, 134; digital images, Ancestry.ca, Ancestra.ca; citing PRO RG 10/4176. [D09276].

6. England and Wales, death certificate for Mary Slater, died 29 November 1903; citing 08e/292/294, Q4 quarter 1903, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport. [D09269].

7. Blackburn Cemetery (Blackburn, Lancashire), order for interment of Mary Slater, 5 December 1903; digital images, Deceased Online, Deceased Online. [D09284].

8. 1881 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 92, page 34, 128; digital images, Ancestry.ca, Ancestry.ca; citing PRO RG 11/4186. [D09277].

9. 1861 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 100, page 40, 222; digital images; citing PRO RG 9/3103. [D09275].

10. 1901 census of England, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, folio 131, page 34, 1; digital images, Ancestry.com; citing PRO RG 13/3916. [D09279].

Mary Alice Rothwell Birth

A few weeks ago, I posted about Mary Alice Rothwell and the fact that she was born about 1861, prior to her parents, Samuel Rawcliffe and Martha Alice Rothwell getting married. The census records suggest that Mary Alice Rothwell was born about 1861-1862, whereas her parents were married 27 August 1864.

I first came across this baptism record with a baptism date of 13 October 1861:

The baptism record gives her name as Mary Alice Rothwell (although Rawcliffe is also given as it as the father's surname). The parents are listed as "Samuel & Martha Alice Rothwell". This is consistent with the two of them not being married in 1861 - her maiden name is given. A birthdate for Mary Alice is also given as 1 May 1861.

I next had a look for a birth record. Records on Ancestry point to this birth record for an Alice Rawcliffe born in Blackburn in 1861:

But I had my doubts, first because the given name is just Alice, and also because the surname is Rawcliffe, and it's more likely that the name on the birth record would have been Rothwell. I checked the GRO indexes and the mother's maiden name did not match.

I had a look under the name Rothwell and found one listing that matched. A Martha Alice Rothwell, born in Blackburn in 1861. So I ordered the record:

It's definitely the one, with a birth date of 1 May 1861, and the names match.

Richard Rothwell Death Year

Richard Rothwell is the second child of Henry and Alice Rothwell. I found him first in the 1841 census record for the family and his age in the census would suggest a birth year of about 1834 [D01529]

I found a baptism record for him for a baptism date of 31 August 1834 in Blackburn, Lancashire [D09283]

Richard however, does not appear in any later census records with the family, so likely died prior to the 1851 census. A number of trees on Ancestry list a death date for Richard of 1842, so I thought that I'd look into that death record. But when I checked the GRO indexes, it indicated that the Richard Rothwell who died in 1842 died at age 50, so would not be the right one.

I went back to the indexes to look for other possibilities and found a Richard Rothwell who died in Blackburn, Lancashire in 1844, aged 11 years [D09282]. This seemed like a more likely fit, so I ordered the death certificate.

Sure enough, the record came back showing Richard Rothwell as son of Henry Rothwell, a carter, so it all fits. I'm happy to conclude that I have found the proper death date for Richard Rothwell.

Interesting though, the 1842 record for the other Richard Rothwell, might be a family connection as there is a possibility that Henry Rothwell's father was named Richard. But more on that later (X00372).

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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.

[D09282] England and Wales, death certificate for Richard Rothwell, died 9 November 1844; citing 21/15/187, Q4 quarter 1844, Blackburn registration district, Blackburn sub-district; General Register Office, Southport.

[D09283] St. Mary The Virgin (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, "Richard Rothwell baptism," 18; digital images, ancestry.ca.

X00188 Solved! Part 4

I've posted about X00188 previously. In Part 2 of the post, I mentioned how there were additional names listed in the burial record for Henry Rothwell. In Part 3 I had a look at the Mary Slate name to see how she could be related to the family. In this part, I look at the Martha Bass name to see if she is related to the family.

I first went and found the original burial record:

Which gives a burial date of 24 June 1885 and an age at of six months. It lists her as the daughter of John and Mary Alice Bass.

So the next step was to find a marriage record for John Bass and Mary Alice to see if there is any more evidence there. Sure enough, I was able to find a marriage record between a John Bass and a Mary Alice Rawcliffe Rothwell in 1882:

The name of Rothwell, does suggest that I'm on to the right marriage, although there is no information given for the father. The birth year of about 1862 would likely be too late to be a child of Henry and Alice Rothwell. So I had a look at some of Henry and Alice's children

Sure enough, I managed to find a marriage between Martha Rothwell and Samuel Rawcliffe in 1864:

This marriage record lists a Henry Rothwell as a father and a James Rothwell as a witness. As well, the birth year of Martha Rothwell matches the birth year of a known daughter of Henry Rothwell named Martha. So I'm willing to conclude that the Martha Bass in the burial record is connected to the Henry Rothwell from my family. With the evidence here and of the Mary Slater connection, I am also willing to conclude that the Henry Rothwell who died in Blackpool is the correct one.

One interesting thing to note is that the Rawcliffe-Rothwell marriage took place after Mary Alice was born, which might explain why her surname was Rothwell and not Rawcliffe and that the father is not listed on her marriage certificate. More to investigate on that later.

X00188 Solved! Part 3

For the next step, I first looked at the burial record for Mary Slater to see if there was any connection there. I first found the burial record:

Mary Slater died in 1903 at an age of 63. She was married to a George Slater and was living in a workhouse at the time of her death. That would suggest a birth year of about 1840. She could have been Henry Rothwell's daughter, Mary who was born about 1836, but not exactly, so I did some further investigation.

First thing that I found was her death certificate:

Unfortunately, the death certificate doesn't give much in the way of information that I didn't already have. It confirms that her husband's name was George and she died at age 63 in a workhouse. Additional information found was that she died of senile decay and that husband was deceased and was a cotton weaver. No maiden name however, or any definite proof to link her to Henry Rothwell. So, the next step was to find a marriage record between George Slater and Mary. I managed to find this one:

The marriage is between a George Slater and a Mary Rothwell on 13 December 1854. Her father is listed as Henry Rothwell, a carter, which is a good sign. Her age is give as 19, which would coincide with a birth year of about 1835, which also fits. One of the witnesses was James H.R. Rothwell, which also fits. So, the marriage record definitely fits with it being Mary Rothwell, daughter of Henry Rothwell.

Next step - to investigate the record for Martha Bass.