Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

I have Charles Ashton, born Woolton in 1859 with his wife, Sarah née Large, born Childwall 1859, on the 1881 census. Charles' occupation is Railway accountant and they are living at 296 Earle Street Newton in Makerfield. However, after that they both disappear. I can't find deaths for either of them nor a second marriage. Can anyone else find a trace of them?
Thanks in advance
Barbara

How about this as a scenario? There is a Charles Henry Ashton born Woolton in both the 1891 census and 1901 census

Sarah E Ashton his first wife dies Prestwich area Sept 1882

Charles H Ashton marries Adelaide Mary Bankse in Kensington area 1883

1891 census the family is in Hoole Cheshire with 3 children. Charles is a sharebroker. They have servants etc in the house

1901 census Charles with his family now even larger is in Ellesmere Shropshire and living on own means

On both census he is given as being born Woolton but slightly earlier than you state.

You will neeed to get the marriage to prove that it is your man. Found the above on Ancestry and freebmd

Hilary

Ed Officer

Thanks Hilary, it's an interesting scenario. I wonder how Charles got from Accounts clerk to shareholder - I wouldn't mind knowing how he did it!
I'll try and find out who is named as his father.
Barbara

Bonjour Barbara
Could this be your Charles in 1871?
27 Woolton St Much Woolton
Ralph Ashton 57 cabinet maker bn Kirkby
Anne 55 bn Hale, George 17 grocers app, Charles 12 scholar both bn Woolton.
Ditto 1861 with Alice 12, Ralph jr 10...
1871 young Ralph is at the Collegiate Institute in Chester.
1901 school master in Worc.
Robt snr in 1881 as cabinet maker

Cheers
Tina

You need to get the marriage certifictae for his marriage to Sarah as well as the possible second marriage to see if it's the same man. His father's name on both will be the clue.

You said he was a Railway Accountant so the movement of an account to Share Broker (ie someone dealing in the buying of shares) to living on own means (made a packet on shares) doesn't seem remote to me. However to proceed you have to find out XCharles' father's name.

hilary
Ed Officer

Hello Tina
Thanks for finding that although I do have a fair bit of info on young Charles and the rest of the family. Ralph junior eventually became head of Stone school in Staffordshire and was a returning officer for the 1901 census!
It's Charles after 1881 that I can't find.
Hilary, I looked at the other census entries and found Charles Henry Ashton with his family on the 1871 - not my man. Oh well, never mind, I expect he'll turn up one day.
Thanks for looking both of you
Barbara

How strange there are 2 Charles Ashtons both born in Woolton. Do you have the marriage certificate of your Charles? I'm just wondering if that may have further clues.

Hilary
Ed Officer

Hi Barbara
So Ralph is the right brother who went onto teach in Stone Staffs?
Which means Charles from my prev. post is his brother yes?
1871 census?

Tks
Tina

There were apparently loads of Ashtons in that area Hilary, they go back quite a long way. I managed to trace my branch back to the 1780's. I haven't got the marriage certificate but I do know that Charles' father was Ralph.
Tina, Ralph and Charles were two of a family of nine children. One of them was Isabella, my great great grandmother and another was Elizabeth who was the mother-in-law of Arthur (the rat) Oubridge. Ralph senior lived until 1882, not bad going for someone born in 1814.
Thanks for the interest
Barbara

I've had a message from Anc@@ regarding a correction I put in for Oubridge family.
Well, didn't know what to tell the poster, Arthur the rat etc
I've replied and have given a link to our forum.
Keep ya posted.

Tina

Hi again
I've had a lovely reply from contact.
He has 5 Arthur's in his family tree and is happy to make contact.
Tina

Wow what a turn-up! Does this mean the mystery of Arthur the rat may be solved?
Coincidentally I had a match with someone on GR about the Oubridge family. I sent a message but got no reply (no change there, then). This contact sounds much more promising. Will you pass on the link or should I PM?
Thanks Tina for your perseverance and interest.
Best regards
Barbara

Hi Barbara
Here's another reply which I have permission to post here.
Hi Tina,
Is he called the Rat because he seems to have left his first wife Annie Wright Cave ? The 1901 census seems to show him back in Ipswich (Arthur O Bridges ?) living as husband of Ethel (even though Annie is staying with Arthur's father !). I can't find their marriage nor Arthur O Bridges in any other censuses. I can't find any divorce reference, and Annie remarried in 1908, so presumably Arthur died by then ?
Good to find a "black sheep" in a family - or a rodent at least !
cheers,
Gareth

Well he really was a rat then! What a cheek leaving your first wife with the in-laws while you swan off with someone else. Were there any children from this illicit union do you know?
At least Annie seems to have had a happy ending despite everything.
Many thanks to your correspondant and to you Tina.
Barbara

Well I have to take it all back! I've had contact through GR from Gareth. Apparently poor Arthur was killed in the Boer war so not a rat after all. A more satisfactory conclusion (except for Arthur)
Barbara

For the crew here is the reply!!
Tina

Hi Tina,
I have some new information about Arthur Oubridge.
He joined the army (32 company Lancashire Hussars) and was killed in action on 6 April 1901 at Zeekoegat, South Africa during the 2nd Boer War. The National Archives wrongly gives his surname as Owbridge in their record of military medals (a common mistake). He was a sergeant, and is commemorated on a memorial in Christchurch Park, Ipswich and in the Holy Trinity church, Houghton Street, Southport. This information comes from both Ancestry.co.uk and FindMyPast (search for Arthur Owbridge). I can send more details of his military record/medals if you send me your email address - or please invite whoever is looking for him to contact me at : unclegareth@hotmail.co.uk
Hence no UK death registration, no 1901 census entry for him (census was taken 31st March 1901, six days before he died in South Africa)and how Annie became to be a widow and remarried in 1908.
It seems that Arthur O Bridges in Ipswich in 1901 was a red-herring, I did Mr Bridges an injustice !

By coincidence my sister and daughter live in Southport so on my next trip over I'll be going to apologise in person to Arthur the misunderstood!
Barbara

Hi Barbara
For some reason I missed your reply.
Great info from Gareth about Arthur & his military record.
Good result Barbara.

Tina

Thanks Tina, I seem to be on a roll at the moment. What do you reckon to my chances in finding the missing Daly family in Oz or does that come under the catagory of miracles!
Barbara

Onward & Upward Barbara


Tina

if you can repost Daly and info you have please...