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.

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.

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.

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.

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.