Profile: The Family of John Westwell and Ann Ashworth of Blackburn, Lancashire

In the early decades of the 19th century, as Lancashire’s cotton towns surged with industrial growth, John Westwell and Ann Ashworth built a large and deeply rooted family whose lives unfolded almost entirely within the streets, mills, and terraces of Blackburn. Their story — and that of their nine children — reflects the rhythms of working‑class life in Victorian Lancashire: long hours in the mills, crowded housing, shifting fortunes, and the resilience of families who endured hardship together.

John Westwell (c.1809–1874)

Cotton Spinner of Blackburn

John was born around 1809, reportedly in Houghton, Lancashire. By the time he married, he was already working in the cotton industry — a trade he would follow for more than forty years. His marriage record describes him simply as a spinner on 26 February 1832 in Blackburn.
“He worked as a spinner on 26 Feb 1832 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (John Westwell report)

He married Ann Ashworth on 26 February 1832 at Blackburn Parish Church. The marriage entry notes that it was Marriage by Baans (banns), a standard form of Anglican marriage at the time.

Throughout his life, John appears in the records as a steady mill worker, moving between addresses typical of Blackburn’s industrial neighborhoods: Pict Street (1841), Mop Street (1851), Jack House, Oswaldtwistle (1861), and Broad Carr (1871). In 1841 he is listed as a cotton spinner living at Pict Street, Blackburn.
“He resided at Pict Street in 1841 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (John Westwell report)

John died on 20 January 1874 in Blackburn. His cause of death was recorded as bronchial asthma, and he was buried at Blackburn Cemetery on 24 January 1874, in grave reference K/E/12210.

Ann Ashworth (c.1811–1894)

Housekeeper, Dressmaker, and Matriarch

Ann was born around 1811 in Preston, Lancashire, though her records show several conflicting birth years: Cir 1811, Cir 1814, Cir 1819, and Cir 1821 all appear in different sources.
“She has conflicting birth information of Cir 1814 in Preston, Lancashire, England.” (Ann Ashworth report)

Like many working‑class women of the era, she adapted her skills to the needs of her household and community. In 1851 she is listed as a housekeeper, and by 1861 she was working as a dressmaker in Blackburn. She appears at a series of addresses over the decades, including Pict Street, Mop Street, Jack House, Oswaldtwistle, Broad Carr, and later Trinity Street and Larkhill.

Ann outlived her husband by twenty years. She died on 9 January 1894 at 87 Larkhill, Blackburn, her cause of death recorded as pneumonia, and was buried at Blackburn Cemetery on 12 January 1894, in the same grave reference K/E/12210 as John.
“She was buried at the Blackburn Cemetery in Blackburn, Lancashire, England on 12 Jan 1894. Grave ref K/E/12210.” (Ann Ashworth report)

Children of John Westwell & Ann Ashworth

John and Ann raised nine children, born between about 1832 and 1852. Their lives collectively paint a vivid picture of Victorian Blackburn — mill work, early deaths, large families, and in some cases, brushes with the law.

1. James Westwell (c.1832–1877)

James was born around 1832 and baptized on 13 January 1833 at Blackburn. As a young man he followed his father into the mills, working first as a cotton spinner and later rising to the position of spinning master. In 1851 he is listed as a cotton spinner living at Mop Street, Blackburn.
“He worked as a cotton spinner in 1851 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (James Westwell report)

He married Sarah Ainsworth on 8 June 1854 in Blackburn, a marriage recorded as Marriage by Baans. Together they had a large family, with at least eleven children named in the records.

James died on 23 January 1877 in Blackburn. His cause of death was recorded as epilepsy, which he had suffered for several years:

“According to death record, had epilepsy for 4 years prior to death.”

— James Westwell individual report

He was buried at Blackburn Cemetery on 27 January 1877, grave reference K/E/12150.

2. Benjamin Westwell (c.1834–1859)

Benjamin was born around 1834 and appears in the 1841 census at Pict Street with his parents. By 1851 he was working as a cotton piecer and living at Mop Street, Blackburn.
“He worked as a cotton piecer in 1851 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (Benjamin Westwell report)

He married Elizabeth Talbot on 16 June 1853 in Blackburn, a marriage noted as Marriage by banns, and they had three children.

Benjamin died on 23 November 1859 in Blackburn at about 25 years of age. His cause of death was recorded as gastric fever, and he was buried at Blackburn Cemetery on 27 November 1859, in grave K/E/12211.

3. Mary Westwell (c.1836–1901)

Mary was baptized on 18 September 1836 at Blackburn. She appears in the 1841 census at Pict Street and in 1851 at Mop Street, where she is recorded as a cotton winder.
“She worked as a cotton winder in 1851 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (Mary Westwell report)

On 18 May 1856, Mary married Thomas Harrison at Holy Trinity Church, Blackburn. The marriage notes state simply: Marriage in the Holy Trinity Church, Blackburn.

Mary and Thomas raised a large family, and Mary remained closely tied to Trinity Street for decades, appearing at 28 Trinity Street in 1861 and 1871, and at 34 Trinity Street in 1881 and 1891.

She died on 2 July 1901 at 65 East Park Road, Blackburn. Her cause of death was recorded as osteo‑arthritis (9 years) and gastritis (2 months). She was buried at Blackburn Cemetery on 6 July 1901.

4. Robert Westwell (1838–1893)

Robert was born on 17 November 1838 in Blackburn and baptized on 31 March 1839 at St. Mary‑the‑Virgin. He appears as a child at Pict Street in 1841 and as a cotton creeler at Mop Street in 1851.
“He worked as a cotton creeler in 1851 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (Robert Westwell report)

Over his working life he is variously described as a cotton spinner, piecer, and later a spinning master. He married Elizabeth Glover on 19 September 1863 at Haslingden, Lancashire, a marriage recorded as Marriage by banns.

Robert and Elizabeth had five children: Mary Ann, Eleanor, Robert, Elizabeth Jane, and Martha. The family lived at several addresses in Blackburn, including 42 Chester Street, 21 Dewhurst Street, and 30/32 Chester Street.

Robert died on 4 June 1893 in Blackburn. His death certificate gives the cause as pneumonia, duration two days, certified by James Atchison.
“Cause of Death: pneumonia… Duration: 2 days.” (Robert Westwell report)

He was buried at Blackburn Cemetery on 8 June 1893, in Section 6, Grave 9529.

5. Isaac Westwell (1841–1843)

Isaac was born on 30 January 1841 in Blackburn. His birth is documented by a civil birth certificate, and he appears in the 1841 census at Pict Street with his parents.
“He resided at Pict Street in 1841 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (Isaac Westwell report)

Isaac died on 22 February 1843 in Blackburn, his cause of death recorded as measles. He was buried on 25 February 1843 at Blackburn.

6. Joseph Westwell (1845–1878)

Joseph was born on 4 March 1845 in Blackburn and baptized on 6 April 1845. As a youth he appears at Mop Street in 1851 and Jack House, Oswaldtwistle in 1861, working as a piecer and later a cotton spinner.
“He worked as a piecer in 1861 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (Joseph Westwell report)

On 27 February 1869, Joseph married Mary Clegg at Oswaldtwistle. At that time he was a spinner living at Ram’s Clough.

By the time of his death, Joseph was described as a farmer residing at the Coach and Horses, Ramsclough, Oswaldtwistle. He died on 18 April 1878 of cephalitis and was buried at Immanuel Churchyard, Oswaldtwistle, on 23 April 1878.

7. Elijah Westwell (1848–1907)

Elijah was born on 30 April 1848 in Blackburn and baptized on 14 May 1848. As a child he appears at Mop Street in 1851 and Jack House, Oswaldtwistle in 1861, working as a scholar and later a piecer.
“He worked as a piecer in 1861 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (Elijah Westwell report)

He married Ellen Cunliffe on 24 September 1870 in Oswaldtwistle and continued to work as a cotton spinner and labourer. However, Elijah’s life took a darker turn in the 1890s, when he appeared in several newspaper reports and criminal records.

In 1897 he was charged with stealing a mare at Blackburn Fair. The Liverpool press reported:

“The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour.”

— Evening Express, 28 Jul 1897 (quoted in Elijah Westwell report)

Elijah’s physical description from the criminal records is striking: height 5' 4½", grey hair, blue eyes, with scars on his eyebrow, forehead, and right eyelid, and contracted fingers.

He died on 28 January 1907 at the Union Workhouse, Blackburn, his occupation given as a cattle drover. His cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage, and he was buried at Blackburn Cemetery on 1 February 1907, in the family grave K/E/12210.

8. John Thomas Westwell (1850–1922)

John Thomas was born on 10 September 1850 in Blackburn and baptized on 6 October 1850. As a boy he appears at Mop Street in 1851 and Jack House, Oswaldtwistle in 1861, where he is recorded as a creeler.
“He worked as a creeler in 1861 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (John Thomas Westwell report)

He spent most of his life as a cotton spinner, living at addresses such as Broad Carr, Billings Street, Chester Street, Withers Street, and George Street East in Blackburn.

John Thomas married Alice Butterworth on 2 August 1873 in Oswaldtwistle (marriage by banns), and they had at least five children. After Alice’s death, he married Elizabeth Ellen McGrath on 2 April 1910 at the Register Office in Blackburn.

He died on 2 October 1922 at 55 Parkinson Street, Blackburn. His death certificate records the cause as acute bronchitis/pulmonary congestion with cardiac muscle failure, and at that time he was working as a joiner’s labourer. He was buried at Blackburn Cemetery on 5 October 1922.

9. William Henry Westwell (1852–after 1883)

William Henry was born on 28 September 1852 in Blackburn. As a child he appears at Stanley Street Terrace and later at Jack House, Oswaldtwistle, working as a creeler and then a cotton spinner.
“He worked as a creeler in 1861 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” (William Henry Westwell report)

On 4 July 1874, he married Mary Ann Edleston at St. Thomas Church, Blackburn, a marriage noted as Marriage by Banns. They had at least one daughter, Elizabeth.

William Henry’s adult life was marked by repeated brushes with the law. In 1875 he was convicted of violently assaulting his wife:

“When they got to a lonely spot he attacked her, knocked her down, and kicked her severely about the legs. The Bench sent him to gaol for three months.”

— The Manchester Guardian, 1 Feb 1875 (quoted in William Henry Westwell report)

In 1883 he was again before the courts, this time for stealing money from his cousin, Elijah Ashworth, in a case that reached the Preston Sessions:

“He was sentenced to four calendar months imprisonment.”

— Preston Chronicle and Lancashire Advertiser, 7 Apr 1883 (quoted in William Henry Westwell report)

The records do not clearly state his date of death, but they leave a vivid impression of a man whose life diverged sharply from the more stable paths of some of his siblings.

Conclusion

The family of John Westwell and Ann Ashworth represents a quintessential Lancashire mill family — hardworking, tightly clustered in the same neighborhoods, and deeply shaped by the industrial world around them. From Pict Street and Mop Street to Trinity Street, Chester Street, and the lanes of Oswaldtwistle, their lives were woven into the fabric of Blackburn’s cotton economy.

Their descendants spread across Blackburn and beyond, carrying forward the legacy of a family that weathered poverty, illness, tragedy, and the relentless demands of mill life. In the records they left behind — certificates, census entries, burial registers, and newspaper reports — we can still trace their voices, their struggles, and their enduring presence in the story of Lancashire.

X00394 The Disappearance of William Henry Westwell: A Genealogical Mystery in Victorian Lancashire

Every family tree has its mysteries, but some cases stand out for the way they pull us into the social history of the time. One such puzzle is the disappearance of William Henry Westwell, a Blackburn cotton worker whose life took a dramatic turn in the 1870s and early 1880s—and who then vanished from the historical record.

William Henry married Mary Ann Edleston on 4 July 1874 at St. Thomas Church in Blackburn. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born the following summer. But the stability of family life didn’t last. William Henry soon became entangled in a series of criminal offences, including a violent assault on his wife and multiple thefts. His last confirmed appearance comes from a cluster of court and prison records in 1883, when he was sentenced to four months of hard labour for stealing money from his cousin.

And then—nothing.

No census entry in 1881.
No death registration.
No burial.
No newspaper reports after 1884.
No sign of him in the 1891 census, or any later record.

Meanwhile, Mary Ann appears in the 1881 census living alone with her daughter, still listed as “married.” Five years later, in 1886, she remarries—this time to John Simpson—but she does so under her maiden name and describes herself as a spinster. By 1891, the family is living together in Lancaster, with Elizabeth recorded as John’s step‑daughter.

So what happened to William Henry? Did he die under a variant name? Did he abandon the family? Did he emigrate? Was Mary Ann’s second marriage technically bigamous, as so many were in Victorian England? The records don’t yet give us the answer—but they do give us a roadmap.

Next Steps in the Investigation

To move this research forward, the strategy focuses on four main avenues:

1. Reconstruct William Henry’s final years by examining prison discharge registers, police gazettes, and court records from 1883–84. These may reveal whether he was released, transferred, or died in custody.
2. Search for him under variant names in death indexes, burial registers, workhouse records, and asylum admissions. Men with criminal histories often used aliases, and clerks often mis‑recorded surnames.
3. Investigate emigration and military service, especially through Liverpool passenger lists, British Army records, and Merchant Navy files. A man with repeated convictions may have chosen—or been encouraged—to leave.
4. Evaluate Mary Ann’s remarriage in the context of Victorian social norms. Deserted wives frequently remarried using their maiden names, and bigamy was rarely prosecuted unless the first spouse complained.

This mystery sits at the intersection of genealogy and social history: crime, poverty, migration, and the limited legal options available to working‑class women. Solving it will require a wide search—across prisons, workhouses, asylums, cemeteries, and even across continents.

And like all good genealogical puzzles, the answer is out there somewhere. It’s just waiting for the right record to surface.

William Henry Westwell Crimes

WIlliam Henry Westwell of Blackburn: A Decade of Disorder in Victorian Lancashire

Tracing an individual’s turbulent footprint through police court records and newspaper reports

The Westwell surname appears frequently in the police court columns of Victorian Blackburn and Oswaldtwistle. When lined up chronologically, these scattered reports reveal not isolated misdeeds but a pattern of escalating violence, instability, and social strain within a single extended family. What follows is a narrative reconstruction of the surviving articles, arranged to show how the story unfolds across the 1870s and 1880s.

1. Early Domestic Violence: The Assault on His Wife

A brief police court report describes William Henry Westwell’s violent assault on his wife after a night of drinking.

The earliest surviving clipping involves William Henry Westwell, whose wife attempted to bring him home from a public house late one Monday night. Instead of returning quietly, he attacked her in a secluded spot, knocking her down and kicking her repeatedly. The magistrates sentenced him to three months in prison — a punishment that, for the era, signals the severity of the assault.

This incident establishes the earliest documented pattern: alcohol, volatility, and a readiness to use force even within the household.

2. A Fuller Account of the Same Assault

A second newspaper expands the details, describing smashed glassware and visible bruising.

A longer version of the same event appeared in another newspaper. In this telling, Westwell not only refused to leave the pub but smashed a glass before following his wife home. Once alone, he again attacked her, leaving bruises and discoloration. The sentence remained three calendar months, but the expanded detail underscores the brutality of the attack and the public concern it generated.

The fact that multiple newspapers covered the case suggests it resonated with broader Victorian anxieties about alcohol and domestic disorder.

3. Alleged Theft of £22 from a Cousin

A family dispute turns criminal when £22 goes missing from a cousin’s locked box.

The next surviving report shifts from domestic violence to property crime. Westwell, now described as a 30‑year‑old loomer, was committed for trial at Preston Sessions for allegedly stealing £22 from a small box belonging to his cousin, Elijah Ashworth, who lodged with Westwell’s mother.

£22 represented several months’ wages for a labourer. The allegation — theft within the extended family — hints at financial instability and strained relationships. Whether he was convicted is unknown, but the magistrates’ decision to commit him for trial shows the evidence was considered serious.

4. Housebreaking at Oswaldtwistle: Violence and Theft

A dramatic escalation: forced entry, assault, threats with a knife, and the theft of money, poultry, and clothing.

The most dramatic of the clippings involves Henry Westwell, along with Hartley Heys and James Butterworth, charged with breaking into the home of Robert and Mrs. Nuttall of Daisy‑green, Oswaldtwistle.

According to Mrs. Nuttall’s testimony, Westwell forced the door open, dragged her outside by her hair, threatened her with a knife, and knocked her down. The men then ransacked the house, taking money, poultry, a shawl, and bags. Neighbours witnessed the attack but did not intervene — a recurring theme in Victorian crime reporting.

The men were remanded for a week, suggesting the magistrates needed further evidence but considered the charges credible.

5. “A Strange Charge of Housebreaking” — A Parallel Report

A second newspaper recounts nearly identical events, confirming the case drew local attention.

Another clipping describes a nearly identical incident, this time naming Henry Westwell and Henry Heys. The details match closely: the demand for a red gamecock, the assault on Mrs. Nuttall, the knife threat, and the ransacking of the house.

The repetition across newspapers reinforces the severity of the event and suggests it caused a stir in the district.

What the Pattern Reveals

When viewed together, these clippings trace a decade‑long pattern of escalating behaviour with William Henry Westwell:

• Early violence directed inward, within the household
• Financial misconduct involving close relatives
• Escalation to public, armed violence and coordinated housebreaking

The repeated appearance of the same surnames — Westwell, Heys, Butterworth — hints at a network of young working‑class men navigating unstable employment, heavy drinking, and petty or violent crime. This was not unusual in industrial Lancashire, where economic precarity and overcrowded living conditions often fed into cycles of disorder.

Conclusion: A Window into Victorian Lancashire

For genealogists, these reports offer more than a list of offences. They provide a textured glimpse into the pressures, conflicts, and social realities that shaped the lives of working‑class families in Blackburn and Oswaldtwistle. The Westwell cases, taken together, form a vivid micro‑history of a family navigating — and sometimes succumbing to — the harsh conditions of Victorian industrial life.

Profile: The Westwell–Glover Family of Blackburn

The Westwell–Glover Family of Blackburn: A Victorian Working‑Class Story

Introduction

In the crowded weaving towns of Victorian Lancashire, few families illustrate the grit and constancy of working‑class life more vividly than the household of Robert Westwell (1838–1893) and Elizabeth Glover (c.1839–1884). Both were born into the industrial heart of Blackburn and its surrounding villages, coming of age in a world defined by cotton mills, dense terraced streets, and the rhythms of factory whistles. Their marriage in 1863 began a family line that would remain rooted in Blackburn for generations—except for one daughter who carried the family story across the Atlantic.

This profile brings together the lives of Robert, Elizabeth, and their five children, drawing on census records, civil registration certificates, and the rich details preserved in family documents.

Robert Westwell (1838–1893)

Cotton Spinner, Weaver, Labourer

Born: 17 November 1838, Blackburn, Lancashire, England

Christened: 31 March 1839, Blackburn, Lancashire, England (“Chr. Date: 31 Mar 1839 … Place: Blackburn, Lancashire, England”)

Died: 4 June 1893, Blackburn, Lancashire, England (“Death Date: 4 Jun 1893 … Cause of Death: pneumonia”)

Buried: 8 June 1893, Blackburn Cemetery, Section 6, Grave 9529 (“He was buried at the Blackburn Cemetery … Section 6 Grave 9529.”)

Robert was born into a cotton‑working family and spent his entire life in the industrial neighborhoods of Blackburn. His early years were spent on streets like Pict Street and Mop Street, and by age twelve he was already working in the mills: “He worked as a cotton creeler in 1851 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” This early start in factory work was typical of working‑class boys in mid‑nineteenth‑century Lancashire.

By 1861, Robert was lodging with the Harrison family at 28 Trinity Street, Blackburn. The report notes: “At the time of the 1861 census, Robert was living with the Harrison family at 28 Trinity Street, Blackburn. The Harrison family in 1861 consisted of Thomas, age 25, a journeyman joiner; Mary, 24 a cotton winder; and Betsy Ann, age 1, their daughter.” This snapshot shows him as a young cotton spinner sharing cramped lodgings with another working family.

Marriage and Family Life

On 19 September 1863, Robert married Elizabeth Glover in Haslingden, Lancashire: “England and Wales, marriage certificate for Robert Westwell and Elizabeth Glover, married September 19, 1863 … Haslingden registration district.” At the time, he was working as a spinner and residing at Waterfoot. Their first child, Mary Ann, was born later that year in Cuerden.

Over the next two decades, Robert’s occupations shifted among cotton creeler, spinner, piecer, and general labourer: “He worked as a Cotton Spinner in 1871 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England” and later “He worked as a General Labourer in 1891 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” The family moved through a series of modest terraced houses—Audley Lane, 42 Chester Street, 21 Dewhurst Street, 40 and 47 Riley Street, and 32 Chester Street—each address placing them firmly in Blackburn’s industrial core.

Robert died on 4 June 1893 in Blackburn. His death certificate records: “Cause of Death: pneumonia … Duration: 2 days. Certified by James Atchison.” He was buried four days later in Blackburn Cemetery.

Elizabeth Glover (c.1839–1884)

Power Loom Weaver

Born: circa 1839, Cuerden or Walton‑le‑Dale, Lancashire, England (“Birth Date: Cir 1839 … Place: Cuerden, Lancashire, England” and “She has conflicting birth information of Cir 1839 in Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, England.”)

Died: 22 August 1884, Blackburn, Lancashire, England (“Death Date: 22 Aug 1884 … Place: Blackburn, Lancashire, England … Cause of Death: Diabetes”)

Elizabeth grew up on the rural‑industrial fringe south of Preston, in Cuerden and Walton‑le‑Dale. By 1841 she was living on Bashell’s Row, Walton‑le‑Dale: “She resided at Bashell's Row in 1841 in Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, England.” By 1851, still a young teenager, she was already part of the textile workforce: “She worked as a cotton weaver power in 1851 in Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, England.”

In 1861 she appears in Cuerden, again as a power loom weaver: “She worked as a cotton power loom weaver in 1861 in Cuerden, Lancashire, England. She resided at New Row #28 in 1861 in Cuerden, Lancashire, England.” Her life before marriage was firmly tied to the loom and the rhythms of the mill.

Marriage and Motherhood

Elizabeth married Robert Westwell on 19 September 1863 in Haslingden: “Marriage by banns … Place: Haslingden, Lancashire, England.” Together they raised five children—Mary Ann, Eleanor, Robert, Elizabeth Jane, and Martha—while continuing to work in the mills. In 1881 she is recorded at 21 Dewhurst Street, Blackburn: “She resided at 21 Dewhurst St. in 1881 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. She worked as a Cotton Weaver in 1881 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”

Elizabeth died on 22 August 1884 at 47 Riley Street, Blackburn: “She resided at 47 Riley St. on 22 Aug 1884 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” Her death certificate notes simply: “Cause of Death: Diabetes … Duration of illness: 1 year. Certified by Robert P. Dunbar M.D.” She left behind a widower and several children still in their teens.

The Children of Robert and Elizabeth

1. Mary Ann Westwell (1863–1929)

Born: 2 December 1863, Cuerden, Lancashire, England (“Birth Date: 2 Dec 1863 … Place: Cuerden, Lancashire, England”)

Christened: 28 February 1864, Haslingden, Lancashire (“Chr. Date: 28 Feb 1864 … Place: Haslingden, Lancashire, England”)

Died: 20 April 1929, Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada (“Death Date: 20 Apr 1929 … Place: Uxbridge, Ontario, Ontario, Canada … Cause of Death: Cancer of the Stomach”)

Mary Ann was the eldest child of Robert and Elizabeth. She spent her early childhood in Blackburn, appearing at 42 Chester Street in 1871: “She resided at 42 Chester St in 1871 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” By 1881 she was living at 21 Dewhurst Street and working in the mills: “She worked as a Cotton Weaver in 1881 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”

On 18 November 1882, Mary Ann married Lawrence Ashton at St. Thomas Church, Blackburn: “England and Wales, marriage certificate for Lawrence Ashton and Mary Ann Westwell, married November 18 1882 … St Thomas (Blackburn, Lancashire, England), ‘Marriage Record - Lawrence Ashton & Mary Ann Westwell.’” Their married life was marked by frequent moves within Blackburn—Withers Street, Riley Street, Audley Range, Pippin Street, Wensley Street, and Maudsley Street— reflecting the instability of working‑class housing and employment.

The couple had a large family, but several of their children died in infancy or early childhood. The report lists children such as Lawrence Robert, Edwin, Elizabeth Alice, Mary Ann, Frederick, Ernest, Florence, Lawrence, and Lillian, with multiple early deaths recorded. This pattern of loss was tragically common in Victorian industrial towns.

Around 1913, Mary Ann emigrated to Canada: “She immigrated England To Canada circa 1913.” By 1921 she was living at 102 Porter Ave in York Township, Ontario, and identified as Church of England. She later moved to rural Uxbridge: “She resided at Uxbridge RR1 from 1927 to 1929 in Uxbridge, Ontario, Ontario, Canada.”

Mary Ann died on 20 April 1929 in Uxbridge of stomach cancer. The medical note records: “She had stomach cancer for 1 year prior to death. A contributory cause of death was Cachexia resultant from primary condition.” She was buried at Sandford Community Cemetery on 23 April 1929.

2. Eleanor Westwell (1865–1937)

Born: 2 March 1865, Blackburn, Lancashire, England (“Birth Date: 2 Mar 1865 … Place: Blackburn, Lancashire, England”)

Christened: 18 March 1865, Blackburn

Died: 25 December 1937, Blackburn, Lancashire, England (“Death Date: 25 Dec 1937 … Cause of Death: myocardial degeneration/senility”)

Eleanor’s early life followed the familiar pattern of the family. She was born while the family lived on Audley Lane: “She resided at Audley Lane on 2 Mar 1865 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” By 1871 she was at 42 Chester Street, and by 1881 at 21 Dewhurst Street, working as a cotton weaver: “She worked as a Cotton Weaver in 1881 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”

On 25 December 1883, Eleanor married Edwin Hill in Blackburn: “Marr. Date: 25 Dec 1883 … Place: Blackburn, Lancashire, England … Marriage at the Primitive Methodist Chapel.” At that time she was living at 61 Chester Street and working as a cotton weaver.

Over the years, Eleanor’s addresses trace a life lived in modest terraced housing: 36 Chester Street (1891), 35 Moss Street (1901), and later 1 Sheppa Roads in Blackpool in 1911, where she is recorded as doing “house duties.” By 1937 she was living at 581 Whalley New Road in Blackburn: “She resided at 581 Whalley New Road on 25 Dec 1937 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”

Eleanor died on Christmas Day 1937. Her cause of death is recorded as “myocardial degeneration/senility,” echoing the heart‑related causes seen in other family members.

3. Robert Westwell (1868–1911)

Born: 3 July 1868, Blackburn, Lancashire, England (“Birth Date: 3 Jul 1868 … Place: Blackburn, Lancashire, England”)

Christened: 2 August 1868, St Mary‑the‑Virgin, Blackburn

Died: 19 November 1911, Blackburn, Lancashire, England

Buried: 23 November 1911, Blackburn Cemetery, Grave C/N/2790 (“He was buried at the Blackburn Cemetery … Grave: C/N/2790.”)

The younger Robert, son of Robert and Elizabeth, began life like his siblings in the crowded streets of Blackburn. He appears at 42 Chester Street in 1871 and 21 Dewhurst Street in 1881, where he is listed as a “Warehouse Boy”: “He worked as a Warehouse Boy in 1881 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”

At just fifteen, on 23 June 1886, he enlisted in the East Lancashire Regiment. His military summary notes: “Name: Robert Westwell … Birthplace: Blackburn, Lancashire … Civilian Occupations: Warehouseman (at first enlistment).” His early service was marked by frequent hospital admissions for wounds, influenza, bronchitis, and venereal disease: “Between 1887 and 1894 he was admitted to hospital several times for conditions ranging from influenza and bronchitis to wounds, contusions, and venereal diseases.”

Robert served in the Second Boer War in South Africa from 1900 to 1902 and received the King’s South Africa Medal: “He received the King's South Africa Medal and Clasps on 1 Oct 1902 … Campaign: South Africa Second Boer War.”

On 13 May 1894 he married Ellen Ward at Furthergate Congregational Church, Artillery Street, Blackburn: “Marriage performed at the Furthergate Congregational Church, Artillery Street, Blackburn.” They had one daughter, Rhoda May. His later civilian occupations included warehouseman, steam motor driver, and labourer.

Robert died on 19 November 1911 in Blackburn, working at that time as a bricklayer’s labourer and living at 124 Cleaver Street: “He worked as a bricklayer's labourer on 19 Nov 1911 … He resided at 124 Cleaver Street on 19 Nov 1911 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”

4. Elizabeth Jane Westwell (1871–1954)

Born: 27 June 1871, Blackburn, Lancashire, England (“Birth Date: 27 Jun 1871 … Place: Blackburn, Lancashire, England”)

Christened: 13 August 1871, St Mary‑the‑Virgin, Blackburn (“She was baptized St Mary-The-Virgin on 13 Aug 1871 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”)

Died: 1 October 1954, Blackburn, Lancashire, England (“Death Date: 1 Oct 1954 … Cause of Death: cardiac muscle failure/chronic myocarditis”)

Elizabeth Jane spent her childhood at 42 Chester Street and 21 Dewhurst Street, appearing as a scholar in 1881: “She worked as a scholar in 1881 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” By 1891 she was a cotton weaver living at 30 Riley Street: “She worked as a Cotton Weaver in 1891 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”

A notable turning point in her life came in 1892 when she converted to Catholicism: “She was baptized on 31 Dec 1892 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. Elizabeth J. Westwell was baptised into the Catholic church on 31 December 1892.” Shortly afterward, on 3 January 1893, she married William Blackburn Swarbrick at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Blackburn: “Marriage in the Catholic Church. St. Joseph's Church, Blackburn.”

The couple had at least five children—Thomas, Robert, Eleanor, Herbert, and Elizabeth—and remained in Blackburn. Over the decades, Elizabeth Jane’s addresses included 32 Chester Street, 11 Chester Street, 102 Lincoln Street, and later 74 Peronne Crescent: “She resided at 74 Peronne Crescent in 1939 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”

She died on 1 October 1954 at 20 St. Francis Road, Blackburn. Her probate entry reads: “SWARBRICK Elizabeth Jane of 20 St. Francis-road Blackburn widow died 1 October 1954 Probate Lancaster 12 November to Elizabeth Ryden (wife of Harold Ryden). Effects £464 3s. 1d.”

5. Martha Westwell (1877–1964)

Born: 12 July 1877, Blackburn, Lancashire, England (“Birth Date: 12 Jul 1877 … Place: Blackburn, Lancashire, England”)

Died: 23 April 1964, Blackburn, Lancashire, England (“Death Date: 23 Apr 1964 … Place: Blackburn, Lancashire, England … Cause of Death: myocardial degeneration/senility”)

Buried: 29 April 1964, Blackburn Cemetery, Grave J/N/1932 (“She was buried at the Blackburn Cemetery … Grave Reference: J/N/1932.”)

The youngest child, Martha, was born while the family lived at 40 Riley Street: “She resided at 40 RIley Street on 12 Jul 1877 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.” She appears at 21 Dewhurst Street in 1881 and 30 Riley Street in 1891, working as a cotton weaver: “She worked as a Cotton Weaver in 1891 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”

On 27 May 1901, Martha married Horace Stacey Laycock at Holy Trinity Church, Blackburn: “Marriage in the Holy Trinity Church, Blackburn … Marriage by Baans.” At that time she was living on Moss Street and working as a cotton weaver.

Martha’s adult life remained firmly rooted in Blackburn. She spent many years at 9 Chester Street, appearing there in 1911, 1921, 1939, and at the time of her death in 1964: “She resided at 9 Chester Street in 1939 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. She resided at 9 Chester Street on 23 Apr 1964 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.”

She died of “myocardial degeneration/senility” and was buried in Blackburn Cemetery, Grave J/N/1932.

A Family Rooted in the Mills

The story of Robert Westwell and Elizabeth Glover and their children is quintessentially Lancashire. Every adult in the family spent time in the cotton industry—as spinners, weavers, piecers, or warehouse workers. Their homes clustered within a few streets of Blackburn’s industrial core: Chester Street, Riley Street, Dewhurst Street, Moss Street, and Audley Lane.

Their lives were shaped by the instability of mill work, the health risks of industrial labour, and the tight‑knit communities of terraced streets. Illnesses such as diabetes, pneumonia, heart disease, and cancer appear repeatedly in their records, reflecting both the medical limitations of the time and the physical toll of their environment.

One daughter, Mary Ann, carried the family story across the Atlantic to Ontario, Canada, while the others remained in Blackburn for the rest of their lives. Through their records—birth and death certificates, census entries, military files, and burial registers—we can trace not only a family line, but also the lived experience of ordinary working people in Victorian and Edwardian Britain.

Ellen Ward Westwell

Ellen Ward is the wife of Robert Westwell, born 1868. I found her in the 1901 census with her daughter, Rhoda May Westwell living at 16 Abbott Street, Blackburn with her sister, Jane Ward Carter

I found Rhoda May living with the Carter family in the 1911 census but her mother is not living with her.

I found her husband, Robert Westwell in the 1911 census listed as a widower, implying that Ellen Ward Westwell died between 1901 and 1911.

I had a look at the death records between 1901 and 1911 for an Ellen Westwell. There was only one that I could find where the location and age matched and it is this one:

Unfortunately, there's not much in the document to give definite proof. The name and age matches. The death location is of an asylum in Wittingham and the witness is a medical officer. She is listed as a wife of a cotton weaver of Blackburn, which doesn't give us anything definite to go on, other than the location.

I have also had a look at newspaper articles to se if I can find anything that might offer a clue, but didn't find anything that could help. So, while it's not strong proof, I'm going to have to conclude that this is the correct death record, based only on the name, location, age and that it is the only death record found in that time period.

X00393 What happened to Robert Westwell (b. 1868) after 1891 - Solved!

Tracing the Military Life of Robert Westwell (born 1868)

Every so often, a familiar name in my family tree resurfaces with just enough mystery to pull me back in. One such figure is Robert Westwell, born in 1868 [X00393]. I had written previously about finding him listed as a soldier in the 1891 census, but after that, the trail went cold. With no obvious civilian records to follow, I turned my attention to military sources in hopes of discovering what became of him.

My first promising lead was a medal index entry for an “R. Westwell”, awarded the King’s South Africa Medal for service in the Second Boer War, dated 1 October 1902. This soldier served with the East Lancashire Regiment under regimental number 9502. It was an intriguing match, but the medal card alone did not provide enough detail to confirm whether this was my Robert.

The breakthrough came when I searched deeper into the military collections on Find My Past. There, I found a full service record for a Robert Westwell, also of the East Lancashire Regiment, and crucially bearing the same regimental number, 9502. The question now was whether I could confidently link this soldier to the Robert Westwell from my family.

Several clues aligned neatly including the age shown throughout the military papers, which matched the birth year of 1868. As well his occupation given in 1886 was a warehouseman, the same occupation that Robert Westwell held in the 1881 census.

But the decisive evidence came from the names he listed as his next of kin. His original contacts were:

• Ellen Hill, married sister, living on Riley Street, Blackburn
• Elizabeth Jane, sister
• Martha, sister

These names correspond perfectly with what I already knew about the siblings of my Robert Westwell. With that, I felt confident that the soldier in the records and the man in my family tree were indeed the same person.

As his military career progressed, the next-of-kin information changed. Later entries list a wife named Ellen and a daughter named Rhoda May, both living at 16 Abbott Street in Blackburn. The marriage date is given as 21 May 1894.

Armed with this information, locating the marriage record was straightforward. The certificate confirmed and to further verify the connection, the father is listed as Robert Westwell, and one of the witnesses is listed as Martha Westwell.

From there, the remaining pieces of his life fell into place with much more ease. What began as a missing chapter in the 1890s has now expanded into a fuller picture of a man who served abroad, maintained close ties to his sisters, married, and raised a family back home in Blackburn.

It is always satisfying when a long-standing mystery resolves itself through a combination of persistence, pattern recognition, and a bit of luck. Robert’s story is another reminder of how military records can illuminate the lives of ancestors who might otherwise slip through the cracks of the historical record.

X00392 Eleanor Westwell after 1882 - solved!

In an earlier post, I shared that I had been able to follow Eleanor Westwell’s trail only up to 1882, when she appeared as a witness at the marriage of Lawrence Ashton and Mary Ann Westwell. After that, she seemed to vanish from the records, and I wasn’t sure what became of her.

Some time ago, I came across a possible lead: an 1883 marriage entry for an Eleanor Westwell. I ordered the certificate, hoping it might finally shed light on her fate. When it arrived, the details aligned so neatly that it became clear I had indeed found the same Eleanor.

The marriage took place on 25 December 1883 between Edwin Hill and Eleanor Westwell. Several key pieces of information confirmed her identity:

• Eleanor is recorded as 18 years old, matching a birth year of 1865.
• Her occupation is listed as cotton weaver, consistent with earlier records for “my” Eleanor.
• Most importantly, her father is named as Robert Westwell, a cotton spinner - a perfect match.

With these points lining up, I’m confident this marriage record belongs to the Eleanor I had been tracing.

Once this connection was made, the rest of her story came together more easily. Eleanor and her husband Edwin appear in later census records, continuing to live in Blackburn, Lancashire, where she spent her entire life. The couple had at least one child, John Robert Hill, born around 1886.

Eleanor Westwell Hill died on 25 December 1937 at the age of 72, her cause of death recorded as myocardial degeneration.

It’s satisfying to finally follow Eleanor’s life beyond that 1882 marriage entry and to restore her place in the family’s story.

Death dates for John Westwell and Ann Ashworth - Part 3

In the previous two weeks, I have talked about finding the death information for my 4x Great-grandparents, John Westwell and Ann Ashworth Westwell and how the burial record for Elijah Westwell also showed the two of them buried in the same plot:

The question then remains, who are the other two names in the plot: Alice Westwell (died 1904) and Ethel Lomax (died 1905)?

Finding Alice Westwell (died 1904) was a little easier; the burial record for her lists her age at death of 53 years and describes her as the wife of John Westwell. Doing a little more research, I was able to place her as Alice Butterworth, 1850-1904, the wife of John Thomas Westwell, son of John and Ann.

Finding Ethel Lomax was a little bit more challenging. Her burial record puts her age at death as two years and and describes her as the daughter of "George Edward and Maggie".

A little bit more research and I was able to find a marriage record between a George Edward Lomax and a Margaret Ann Westwell, daughter of John Thomas Westwell.

So, it all fits with the rest of the Westwell family.

Death dates for John Westwell and Ann Ashworth - Part 2

Last week I talked about how I managed to find the death information for John Westwell. Next on the list is to find the death information for Ann Ashworth Westwell.

As mentioned last week, we know that Ann Ashworth Westwell died after 1891, and we managed to find a burial record for the Westwell family:

This record shows an Ann Westwell who was buried 12 January 1894 in Blackburn, Lancashire. I managed to find a corresponding death record for an Ann Westwell who died 9 January 1894, widow of a John Westwell, a cotton spinner

So, all looks good, except for one slight problem - the age at death. The age of death is given as 75 years, which would correspond to a birth year of about 1819, much later than the expected birth year of about 1811.

So I had a look at the informant, a Thomas Harrison, son-in-law and that checks out because Ann's daughter Mary married a Thomas Harrison. So it would appear that this is the correct record and that the age given for the death record might be inaccurate.

Death dates for John Westwell and Ann Ashworth - Part 1

John Westwell and Ann Ashworth are my 4x Great-grandparents. They were married 26 February 1832 in Blackburn, Lancashire. John Westwell was born around 1809 and Ann Ashworth was born around 1811.

I've been trying to find their dates of death and death information. John appears in the 1871 census and I have found Ann in the 1891 census living with her daughter and son-in-law and is listed as a widow, so John would have died between 1871 and 1891 and Ann would have died after 1891. I wasn't able to find either of them in the 1881 census to narrow the time down further.

I first had a look at John Westwell. Unfortunately, John Westwell is not an uncommon name, and the twenty year span from 1871 to 1891 is tough to narrow down. But looking at Blackburn in particular as a location, I was able to narrow the death record possibilities to two names:

The first was a John Westwell who died in Clayton-Le-Moors, Lancashire, 1 December 1880, aged 82.

This would have put his birth year about 1798 and his profession was listed as a stone mason, which doesn't quite fit, when every other record that I have found lists him as either a cotton spinner or cotton piecer.

The second option was a John Westwell who died 20 January 1874 in Blackburn, aged 63 and is listed as a cotton piecer:

As well, the informant is an Ann Westwell, which also fits. The age is off a bit, suggesting a year of birth of 1811, rathern than 1809, however the rest of the rest of the information matches

I had set aside this query for a while, but when I was gathering information on another member of the Westwell family, Elijah Westwell I found some more information. I managed to find Elijah Westwell's burial record, and then checked the other names of individuals buried in the same plot

In the same plot as Elijah, is a John Westwell who was buried 24 January 1874, and looking at the full burial record it appears to be the same John Westwell as in the second option - the one who died 20 January 1874. So, I'm confident in determining that this is the correct death record for John Westwell.

Benjamin Westwell Death information

Benjamin Westwell is the second son of John Westwell and Ann Ashworth, my 4xGreat Grandparents. I'm trying to sort out the information about the Westwell family and one of the pieces of information I'm looking to find out is when he died.

I managed to find a death record that matches with a death date of 23 November 1859:

The age, location, residence and profession all match. Unfortunately, the informant doesn't give us a definite piece of evidence - it was likely a neighbour.

I did also find a burial record for the same Benjamin Westwell that also notes that he is the son of John Westwell.

With that, I am confident that this is the correct Benjamin Westwell.

Interestingly enough, I found this news article from the Preston Chronicle, dates 24 November 1860, almost exactly one year later:

The article talks about a Benjamin Westwell, from Blackburn who would have died 19 November 1860. Unfortunately, I can't find any other evidence of the 1860 death - not in any other newspaper articles. There are no other Benjamin Westwells in the GRO death indexes for 1860. There is a Benjamin Westell, who died in the 4th quarter of 1860 in Blackburn, age 58, so perhaps that could be it and there is a spelling mistake somewhere - either with the news article or death indexes. Either way, it would appear that there are two different Benjamin Westwells who died almost exactly a year apart, but the Benjamin Westwell in the news article is not the same one.

X00169 Robert Westwell in 1865 news article - Solved!

A number of years ago I was searching through some online newspapers searchinf for ancestors. I did a search for Robert Westwell and came across this article in the The Times, dated 17 November 1865

The article talks about properties being sold in Blackburn on Cleaver Street and Larkhall Street and names Robert Westwell as one of the current occupants and I had wondered if this was the same Robert Westwell as mine.

Looking at the information that I have now, I can see that Robert Westwell was living on Audley Lane in March of 1865 and not on either of the streets mentioned in the article.

It is entirely plausible that he could have moved around from place to place - after all, he was 26 years old in 1865 and did move around quite a bit from the looks of it. But based on the evidence that I have, I don't have enough to conclude that the Robert Westwell in the article is the same one.

X00393 What happened to Robert Westwell (b. 1868) after 1891 - Research Strategy

What Happened to Robert Westwell After 1891?

A Research Plan for Tracing a Missing Lancashire Soldier

Every family historian eventually meets an ancestor who simply slips out of the records. For me, one of those people is Robert Westwell, born in 1868 in Blackburn, Lancashire, and last seen in the 1891 census, where he appears as a soldier living at 30 Riley Street. After that, he vanishes from the usual civil sources. No marriage. No death. No obvious emigration. Nothing.

When an ancestor disappears just as they reach adulthood, it’s often a sign that their life took a turn that doesn’t leave a straightforward paper trail. In Robert’s case, the clue is right there in the census: soldier. That single word opens up a whole new set of research avenues.

This is the research plan I’m using to uncover what happened to him.

1. Start With the 1891 Census Military Clue

The 1891 census lists Robert as a soldier, but doesn’t name his regiment. Identifying that regiment is the key that unlocks everything else.

My next steps

• Re‑examine the census page: Look closely for marginal notes, depot names, or other soldiers whose regiments can be identified.
• Study local military context: Research which regiments were recruiting or stationed in Blackburn in the late 1880s and early 1890s.
• Check newspapers: Look for enlistment notices or lists of local men joining specific battalions.

If I can determine his regiment, I can follow him through muster rolls, overseas postings, and service records.

2. Search British Army Service Records (1870–1920)

Men born in the late 1860s often served under terms such as 7 years active plus 5 years reserve, 12 years regular service, or militia service before or after regular enlistment.

Record sets to explore

• WO 97: Chelsea Pensioners (soldiers discharged to pension before 1913).
• WO 96: Militia attestation papers.
• WO 363 / WO 364: First World War service records (in case Robert lived long enough to serve again).
• Regimental muster rolls: Series WO 12 and WO 16, which track movements and postings.

Search tips

• Use surname variants: Westwell, Westwall, Westwill, Westall, Wesdell.
• Leverage birthplace fields: Search for Blackburn, Lancashire, or simply “Lancs” when available.

These records often include physical descriptions, next of kin, overseas service, and discharge details — all invaluable for tracking a man who moved frequently.

3. Investigate Overseas Military Service

If Robert continued in the army, he may have served abroad. Men of his age were commonly posted to India, South Africa, Egypt or Sudan, Malta, Gibraltar, or Ireland.

Records to check

• Boer War medal rolls (1899–1902): In case he served in South Africa.
• India General Service Medal rolls: If his regiment was posted to India.
• Regimental casualty lists: To identify those wounded or killed in action.
• British Army overseas death indexes: For deaths registered outside England and Wales.

If he died abroad, his death may not appear in English civil registration indexes at all.

4. Look for a Military Death or Burial

If Robert died while serving, several specific types of records might preserve his story.

Key record types

• British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects: Often list next of kin and place of death.
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths (GRO): Index entries for deaths occurring abroad.
• Regimental burial registers: For men buried on overseas stations or garrison cemeteries.
• Local memorials: Occasionally, pre–First World War conflicts are commemorated on town or church memorials.

These records can not only confirm a death but also tie Robert to specific campaigns or locations.

5. Consider Emigration After Military Service

Many Lancashire men emigrated after completing their army service, taking the skills and experience they gained into civilian life overseas.

Where to look

• Passenger lists: Ships bound for Canada, the United States, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.
• Naturalization records: In countries where he may have settled permanently.
• Overseas marriages and deaths: Civil registrations outside England and Wales.

It’s entirely possible that Robert left no further English records because he started a new life somewhere else.

6. Search for a Marriage or Civilian Life After Discharge

If Robert survived his army service and returned to civilian life in Britain, he may reappear in more familiar sources.

Records to revisit

• Marriage indexes and certificates: Look for a groom named Robert Westwell of the right age.
• Parish registers: Especially in Blackburn and surrounding Lancashire parishes.
• Electoral rolls: After 1918, as suffrage expanded.
• The 1939 Register: If he lived into the Second World War period.

When examining marriage entries, I’ll pay special attention to the name and occupation of the bridegroom’s father, looking for a match to Robert’s known father, also named Robert Westwell.

7. Explore Local Newspapers

Newspapers can be the missing link for soldiers whose official records are thin or incomplete.

What I’ll be looking for

• Enlistment announcements: Notices of local men joining a regiment.
• Service reports: Mentions of Blackburn men serving overseas.
• Injury or death reports: Articles about casualties from the town.
• Desertion or court‑martial notices: Rare, but occasionally reported.
• Homecoming stories: Soldiers returning after campaigns.

Useful search terms will include “Westwell Blackburn soldier”, “Private Westwell”, and “R. Westwell Blackburn”.

8. Use DNA as a Long‑Term Strategy

If the paper trail remains stubbornly cold, DNA might still tell part of Robert’s story.

What DNA might reveal

• Descendants overseas: Indicating emigration after military service.
• A second family: Children born in a different region or country.
• Surname changes or variations: Explaining why documentary searches fail.
• Clusters of matches: Pointing to a geographic area where Robert (or his descendants) may have settled.

DNA is a long‑term, collaborative approach, but it can sometimes answer the questions the records cannot.

9. Re‑evaluate All Known Records

Before drawing any conclusions, it’s always worth revisiting the records I already hold for Robert and his family.

Records to review

• Robert’s baptism and birth records: Double‑check all details and any marginal notes.
• All census entries: Look again for neighbours, lodgers, or notes that might hint at military connections.
• His parents’ records: Wills, burials, or obituaries that might refer to a son “serving abroad” or “deceased”.
• His siblings’ lives: Marriage records or obituaries sometimes mention brothers and their whereabouts.

Sometimes the clue we need is already in our files, waiting to be noticed.

Final Thoughts

Robert Westwell’s disappearance after 1891 isn’t unusual for a young man in military service. Soldiers moved constantly, served overseas, and sometimes died far from home. But the combination of military records, newspapers, and emigration sources gives us a strong chance of discovering his fate.

This research plan lays out the path forward — and with a bit of luck, one of these avenues will finally reveal what became of Robert after he left Blackburn behind.

X00392 Eleanor Westwell after 1882

Eleanor Westwell was the daughter of Robert Westwell and Elizabeth Glover and was born 2 March 1865 in Blackburn, Lancashire England. I have found her in the 1871 and 1881 censuses living with the rest of the Westwell family. She then appears as a witness in the 1882 marriage record for her sister Mary Ann Westwell and Lawrence Ashton. But I have not found her in any records beyond that.

She isn't found living with the rest of the Westwell family in 1891 and I wasn't able to find another record for an Eleanor Westwell in the 1891 census that fits with the name, location and year of birth, which means that she had either died before 1891 or married before 1891 and was under a different name.

I had a look at the death records between 1882 and 1891 and again, nothing seemed to match with the name, location and birth year. But I did find a marriage record for an Eleanor Westwell in 1883 in Blackburn. The location, name and date does match. So I'm going to order the marriage certificate and see if that gives any clues. Stay tuned for more!

John Robert Westwell Military

I have switched over from working on my Taylor/Rothwell branches to working on my Westwell branches.

One thing that I was pursuing was the discovery that Robert Westwell, born 1868 was a soldier according to the 1891 census:

So, I took advantage of a free trial from Fold3 to look for British military records for a Robert Westwell. While I didn't come across anything definite that would match the Robert Westwell that I am looking for, I did come across a record for a John Robert Westwell.

While it's not the name that I'm looking for, could it be connected to the same Westwell family? Further inspection of the record indicates that John Robert Westwell lived in Blackburn, Lancashire, like the rest of the Westwell family.

Looking further, I see that John Robert Westwell enlisted in 1858 at age 18, and was listed as being 39 years of age in 1879, both facts suggesting a birth year of 1840.

But a name of John Robert Westwell born in 1840 doesn't match with my Westwell family, because there is is a Robert Westwell born in 1838 and a John Westwell born in 1850, so it does not appear that this individual is connected to my family - at least not unless it is much farther back.

X00378 Elizabeth Rothwell after 1871 (continued)

Continuing on from a previous post about X00378 - Elizabeth Rothwell after 1871 and a discovery made while researching X00384: William Charles Taylor after 1881.

To recap: Elizabeth Rothwell is the daughter of Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking, born 16 July 1846. I have found her in various census records up to and including 1871, but nothing beyond that. There was a marriage record that I was investigating, but nothing definite.

While researching William Charles Taylor, I found William in this 1891 census record living with his Aunt and Uncle. William and Elizabeth Brown

Elizabeth Rothwell would have been his aunt, and the age of Elizabeth Brown matches. Could Elizabeth Brown be Elizabeth Rothwell? I have been looking for a marriage record for an Elizabeth Rothwell and a William Brown, but have not found anything definite at this point.

X00391 John Taylor born 1852 after 1871

John Taylor is the second son, and fifth child of John Taylor and Jane Whittle. He was born 14 December 1852. Aside from his birth and baptism records, I have also found him in the 1861 and 1871 censuses.

Both of his parents died in early 1861 and so at the time of the 1861 census, he was living with his grandparents, John and Ellen Whittle. At the time of the 1871 census he is living with his brother and sister-in-law, James Taylor and Alice Ann Rothwell. His profession in the 1871 census is listed as a cotton spinner.

But after the 1871 census, it gets a little difficult to find him due to his very common name. In the 1861 and 1871 censuses he was living with other family members so it is easy to positively identify him, but in the censuses beyond I haven't been able to link him to any other family member.

Ancestry hints suggest a marriage between him and a Martha Ann Bulcock, so I decided to have look into that. I did manage to find the marriage record:

Most of the other ancestry hints are based on this marriage record being the correct one.

The name and age in the marriage record match with this John Taylor. The profession is a cotton porter, loom weaver, which is different than being a cotton spinner, but he could have changed profession. The address doesn't create any links to anything that I can tell. The father's name of John Taylor matches, but the profession does not match any previous profession for John Taylor

Given that John's father died when he was about eight, there is the possibility that he wasn't aware of what his profession actually was and gave the wrong information. But there's not enough definite information to conclude that this marriage record is the right one.

X00376 James H.R. Rothwell after 1856 Continued

Continuing the search to findmore information about James Hacking Ratcliffe Rothwell after 1856 (X00376), I did receive the death certificate that I had requested in a previous post.

Recapping: James H.R. Rothwell was born 6 February 1856 in Haslingden, Lancashire. He married Margaret Airey in Blackburn on 26 July 1856. I have found him in the 1871 census, but nothing beyond that date.

As mentioned earlier, I did request a death certificate from the GRO for a James Rothwell who died in 1894, aged 60 in Blackburn:

The name isn't exactly correct; nor is the year of birth or profession, which is what had me a little doubtful. Although one possible clue is that the informant is a daughter named Ellen Sharples, and the James Rothwell in my tree did have a daughter named Ellen. So I had a look for a marriage record between an Ellen Rothwell and someone with the last name Sharples.

I came across this marriage record between an Ellen Rothwell and a Samuel Sharples in 1883. Ellen ROthwell is a daughter of a James Rothwell, so it looks to be the same family as in the death record:

I had a look for a birth record for the Ellen Rothwell in the record and managed to find this baptism record:

The address of York Street in the baptism record matches the address in the marriage record, so the Ellen Rothwell in this baptism record is the same as the one in the marriage record and the same as the informant in the death certificate. But the parents are James Rothwell and a Mary, so it doesn't look like it is the correct James Rothwell. And so the search continues.

The Taylor-Rothwell Family of Blackburn, Lancashire

The Taylor-Rothwell Family of Blackburn, Lancashire

The story of James Taylor and Alice Ann Rothwell is one of industrious lives, early love, and enduring legacy in the heart of Blackburn, Lancashire. Their journey, though marked by hardship, laid the foundation for generations to come.

James Taylor & Alice Ann Rothwell
James Taylor was born on 30 September 1845 in Blackburn, Lancashire, to John Taylor and Jane Whittle【James Taylor: 1,7】. Baptized at St. Mary the Virgin Church on 23 November 1845【James Taylor: 1】, James grew up in a working-class household and began his career as a cotton weaver before becoming a blacksmith’s striker and eventually a cabinet maker【James Taylor: 3,5,27】.

Alice Ann Rothwell was born on 11 November 1844 in Blackburn to Henry Rothwell and Alice Hacking【Alice Ann Rothwell: 1,4】. Baptized at Saint Mary’s Church on 23 February 1845【Alice Ann Rothwell: 3】, she worked as a throstle spinner and later as a cotton weaver’s wife【Alice Ann Rothwell: 5,10】.

The couple married on 28 June 1864 at Blackburn【Alice Ann Rothwell: 7】【James Taylor: 8】. Their union, though brief due to Alice’s untimely death at age 27 from uterine hemorrhage【Alice Ann Rothwell: 9】, produced three children who carried forward their legacy.

Children of James and Alice
1. Jane Taylor (1864–1941)
Born on 12 October 1864 in Blackburn【Alice Ann Rothwell: 10】【James Taylor: 12】, Jane was just seven when her mother passed away. She later married Christopher Place on 6 May 1883【James Taylor: 33】. Jane lived through the industrial boom of Blackburn and raised her own family amidst the changing tides of Victorian England.

2. Mary Alice Taylor (1867–1938)
Mary Alice was born on 7 January 1867【Alice Ann Rothwell: 11】【James Taylor: 13】. Baptized in Blackburn【James Taylor: 14】, she married Thomas Lee on 8 August 1891 at St. Michael and All Angels Church【Alice Ann Rothwell: 15】【James Taylor: 16】. Her life spanned the transition from Victorian to modern Britain, and she remained in Blackburn until her death in 1938【James Taylor: 20】.

3. William Charles Taylor (1870–1946)
The youngest, William Charles, was born on 15 September 1870【Alice Ann Rothwell: 21】【James Taylor: 22】. Baptized at St. Mary the Virgin Church【James Taylor: 23】, he lived a long and varied life. From working as a cotton spinner and coal miner to becoming a chip fryer and timber yard laborer, William embodied the resilience of the working class. He married Elizabeth Ann Briggs on 24 December 1898【James Taylor: 25】 and died in Blackburn in 1946【James Taylor: 30】.

Legacy and Later Years
Alice Ann Rothwell passed away on 8 March 1872【Alice Ann Rothwell: 9】【James Taylor: 32】. James remarried Hannah Holden in 1876【James Taylor: 9】 and continued working until his death from heart disease on 17 April 1893【James Taylor: 10】.

Their children remained rooted in Blackburn, contributing to its industrial and social fabric. The Taylor-Rothwell lineage is a testament to perseverance, family bonds, and the enduring spirit of Lancashire’s working class.

Source Citations

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates from the General Register Office, Southport【Alice Ann Rothwell: 1,7,9,10,11,21】【James Taylor: 1,7,8,9,10,12,13,22,25,30】
• Census records from 1851 to 1921【Alice Ann Rothwell: 4,5,6】【James Taylor: 2,3,4,5,11】【William Charles Taylor: 3,4,7,8,9,10】
• Baptism records from St. Mary the Virgin and other Blackburn churches【Alice Ann Rothwell: 3】【James Taylor: 1,23】【William Charles Taylor: 6】
• Marriage records from Church of England parishes【Alice Ann Rothwell: 15】【James Taylor: 16,33】【William Charles Taylor: 2】