Profile: Henry Rothwell 1811-1875

Ancestor Profile: Henry Rothwell (1811–1875)

Birth & Early Life
Henry Rothwell was born on 1 August 1811 in the market town of Haslingden, nestled in the rolling hills of Lancashire, England. He was baptized just a few months later on 20 October 1811 at the local parish church, marking the beginning of a life deeply rooted in the industrial heart of northern England. He was the son of Richard and Mary Rothwell, whose own stories remain elusive in the historical record.

Marriage & Family
On 22 July 1833, Henry married Alice Hacking in Blackburn, Lancashire. Their union spanned over four decades and produced nine children:

• Nancy Rothwell (b. 1828)
• Richard Rothwell (c.1834–1844)
• James Hacking Ratcliffe Rothwell (b. 1835)
• Mary Rothwell (c.1836–1903)
• Henry Rothwell (c.1838–1840)
• Martha Alice Rothwell (1840–1899)
• Ellen Rothwell (1842–1844)
• Alice Ann Rothwell (1844–1872)
• Elizabeth Rothwell (b. 1846)

Their family life was marked by both joy and sorrow, with several children passing away young—a common tragedy in Victorian England.

Occupational Journey
Henry’s working life paints a vivid picture of the laboring class in 19th-century Lancashire. He held a variety of roles, each reflecting the gritty resilience of a man who adapted to the demands of a rapidly industrializing society:

• Horsekeeper & Ostler (1833–1836): Early records show Henry working with horses, a vital role in transportation and trade.
• Porter & Carter (1840s–1870s): He transitioned into roles involving the movement of goods, often recorded as a carter or porter in Blackburn.
• Labourer & Foundry Worker: By the 1860s, Henry was employed in a foundry, contributing to the industrial backbone of the region.

His residences—High Street, Back Lane, Salford, Ewood Bridge, Swarbrick Street, and Peter Street—map a life spent in the bustling neighborhoods of Blackburn.

Final Years & Death
Henry in a hotel in Blackpool, Lancashire on 25 July 1875 while vacationing there. The cause was broncho-pneumonia, a respiratory illness that claimed many lives in the era before antibiotics.

He was laid to rest on 28 July 1875 at Blackburn Cemetery, a final return to the town that had shaped his life.

Legacy
Henry Rothwell’s story is one of perseverance, family, and quiet strength. Through decades of hard labor and personal loss, he helped build the foundations of modern Blackburn. His descendants carry forward the legacy of a man who lived humbly but left a lasting mark.

X00188 Solved! Part 1

I've been researching quite a bit lately about the Rothwell family, making new discoveries and finding new mysteries. But it was X00188 that started it all off - finding death information for Henry Rothwell. And I have solved the mystery.

Henry Rothwell is my four times great-grandfather and was born about 1812 in Haslingden, Lancashire, England. His wife was named Alice. I found the family in the 1871 census, but Henry does not appear in the 1881 census, which implies that he likely died between 1871 and 1881.

I checked the death records and there were a few possibilities for a Henry Rothwell of the right age in the area (more on that soon), but the most likely one was a Henry Rothwell who died in Blackpool, rather than Blackburn.

This Henry Rothwell died 25th July 1875 in Blackpool at an age of 64 years, so the age matches. The occupation of general labourer also matches, but that is a very common occupation, so not entirely conclusive. The location of Blackpool doesn't match, but it appears that the death occurred in a hotel, so he could have been travelling.

Another consideration is a Henry Rothwell who died in Haslingden at age 70 in January, 1882.

The age matches, and Henry Rothwell was born in Haslingden so, it's not oout of the question, but not as likely as Blackburn. Unfortunately, the year of death is 1882, which then doesn't explain why he doesn't appear on the 1881 census.

Another Henry Rothwell who died in Haslingden, died in 1875. But the year of birth would be about 1810.

But I had a look further at the first Henry Rothwell, who died in Blackpool. I found a burial record for a Henry Rothwell buried in Blackburn on 28 July 1875, age 64. This would match the death date of the Henry Rothwell who died in Blackpool, but buried in Blackburn. As well, his wife's name is given as Alice, so this is very promising.

More on this to follow!

The Rothwell Family - Part 1

As a genealogist, I often find myself sifting through old records, attempting to piece together the puzzle of my family history. Recently, I decided to revisit some of my unfinished cases in an effort to resolve and close them. One such case, labeled X00188, involves the mystery surrounding the death of my 4th great-grandfather, Henry Rothwell.

Henry Rothwell appeared in the 1871 census, but by the time the 1881 census rolled around, he was nowhere to be found. His wife was listed, but Henry was conspicuously absent. Naturally, I assumed that he had passed away sometime before 1881. However, finding the correct death record proved to be more challenging than I had anticipated.

The name Henry Rothwell is not particularly uncommon, and I struggled to locate a death record that matched both his age and the likely death location of Blackburn, Lancashire. After an exhaustive search, I finally stumbled upon a death record from Blackpool, Lancashire that seemed to fit the bill. Given that Blackpool was a popular vacation destination, it was entirely possible that Henry had been visiting the area at the time of his death. Intrigued, I decided to order the death certificate from the General Register Office (GRO) to see if it held any clues.

When the death certificate arrived, it revealed that Henry Rothwell had indeed died at a hotel in Blackpool. At first glance, everything seemed to fall into place. However, as I delved deeper into the records, I discovered that there was more than one Henry Rothwell in the area of Blackburn, and both were married to women named Alice. This revelation complicated matters significantly and forced me to re-examine my assumptions about Henry's family and what I know about them.

As I continue to investigate, I'm uncovering new mysteries that require further exploration. The tangled web of historical records and similar names has made it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Nevertheless, I remain determined to piece together the story of Henry Rothwell and his family.

Stay tuned for future blog posts as I dive deeper into this intriguing case and work to unravel the secrets of my ancestors.