This may be a picture of Elizabeth Fishwick Blinkhorn

My grandmother was a Blinkhorn. Her mother was a Fishwick. I believe my grandmother economically married up into the Moore family. The Moore’s were not the wealthiest inhabitants of Aspull. The Moore’s were basically coal miners. However, they did have enough capital to start a small store and support their church. The Blinkhorn on the other hand were just plain poor… very poor.

My grandmother’s father was Henry Blinkhorn. He was the son of Robert Blinkhorn and Alice Richardson. At the time of Henry’s birth, the Blinkhorn’s lived in area of Wigan called Scholes. It was one poorest areas of Wigan.

Martin Cruz Smith in his novel, Rose, described the area quite well. One thing I remember about his description was that the miners would get drunk at the local pub. They would strip down except for their wooden clogs that had a metal tip on them. They would tie their leg to an opponent. They would fight by kicking trying to inflict injury with the metal tips on their clogs.

Later George Orwell would describe the poverty in the Scholes area in his book, The Road To Wigan Pier. Although his book describes the poverty some 30 years after the Blinkhorns left Wigan, we can still make generalizations of the poverty there in 1900.

Henry Blinkhorn married Elizabeth Fishwick on 18 Mar 1872. (I believe Elizabeth Fishwick was even poorer than the Blinkhorns when she was born and through the first 11 or so years of her life. I am not sure if her condition improved after 1861. I do know it could not have gotten much worse.)

Henry and Elizabeth move from Scholes to nearby Ince. Henry is coal Miner. Their children were: James (June 1873), Jane (1875), William (1877), John (1879), Phoebe (1882), Robert (1885), Henry (1887), Thomas (1890), Arthur (1892), Catherine (1891).

Sometime around 1907 Henry and Elizabeth immigrated to Sydney Mines. With them came Francis and Phoebe Blinkhorn Moore. Others that came were Arthur, and James. (James married Mary Moore Francis Moore’s sister.) They may have been other Blinkhorns that immigrated as well.

Henry died in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia on 14 Apr 1918. Elizabeth died in Sydney Mines on 05 Jan 1926. She is buried in Brookside Cemetery. I assume Henry is there with her.

Copyright: Paul Moore Sep 2011

Francis H Moore and Phoebe Blinhorn Moore: Vitals

Phoebe Blinkhorn Birth Certificate





Francis Moore and Phoebe Blinkhorn Marriage Registration




Francis H Moore Birth registration

Phoebe Blinkhorn Moore


24 Jun 1923 Immigration Papers: Francis enters the USA at Eastport, Idaho. He enters by himself. (From Seattle passenger and Crew Lists M 1383_97 at National Archives, 1930 census)

1923 Letters from FHM: Strike at Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company.

07 Sep 1924 Letters from FHM: Francis date of first letter to Canada. They are living at 703 W Penn in Whittier. He was working as an electrician’s helper in the oil fields (Sante Fe Springs). His boss was his brother Wilfred. He was paid $5 a day for 8 hours.

(Note: All the address number in Whittier were changed in the 1960's)

28 Feb 1924: The rest of the Moore family Immigrates to CA. he comes through Port Huron, Michigan on the Grand trunk Railway. Border crossing card lists Florence and Phoebe. (1930 Census and Frederick Moore Declaration of Intention of Citizenship Document. Frederick Moore Certificate of Arrival Number 23 62380 US department of labor found at the national Archives in Perris CA. Copies are held by Paul Moore) (Border Crossing card at Michigan Passenger and Crew Lists 1903 – 1965 http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?h=218609&db=MichiganPL&indiv=try. A summary is held by Paul Moore.)

1924 Letters from FHM: Dec 1924 Francis Moore buys used 1922 Chevy. Phoebe crashes it into a lemon tree. (Letters p 5.a copy is held by Paul Moore.)

1924 Letters from FHM: Dec 1924 Francis Moore not happy that Coolidge won the election. Son Wilfred out of a job. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

Jan 1926 Letters from FHM: The family moves to 1238 Hillview Court. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

22 Mar 1926 Letters from FHM: Francis in a letter to auto club describes a court case he won against Mr. Ramsey – broke his foot in a car accident

25 Apr 1930 Letters from FHM: Francis writes letter to Willie Somers of Sydney Mines says he is Reddy’s godfather. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

1930 Census: Francis H. Moor (49) (sic Moore) is living with his wife, Phoebe (47) Francis (49) in Whittier, CA. They are renting a house for $25 a month. (This house is on Hillview Court in Whittier. Their neighbors are the Ramsey’s.) The children are Wilfred (23), Francis H (AKA Harry) (21), Florence (19) and Frederick (13). Francis, Phoebe and Wilfred were born in England. Francis (Harry), Florence and Frederick were born in Canada with English citizenship. They own a radio. Francis came to California in 1923. The rest of the family came in 1924. No one in the family had been naturalized. Francis was an oil worker in an oil field. Wilfred was an oil worker for a company. They were all able to read and write. Francis (Harry), Florence and Frederick went to school. (Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls. Copy held by Paul Moore)

24 Mar 1933 Letters from FHM: Francis describes the Long Beach Earthquake (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.))

10 Apr 1934 Letters from FHM: Francis wrote to brother Fred in Detroit. He describes making beer. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

10 Sep 1934 Letters from FHM: Francis wrote a letter to Harry in English and Spanish about Harry being in a Mexican jail. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

26 Sep 1935 Declaration of Intent: Francis files paper for Intention to Declare Citizenship. He is 5’8” and 130 pounds. He is white, male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 130 pounds. He has a light complexion with blue gray eyes. He is English and British. He is married Phoebe on 25 Oct, 1905 in Ince England. He entered the country from Port Huron Michigan for permanent residence on 28 Feb 1924 (sic). His son Wilfred was born in England (8 Nov 1906) Francis (8 Sep 1908) Florence (29 Nov 1910 and Fredrick (29 Dec 1916) were all born in Canada. All now reside in Whittier, CA. He also states he entered the country from Lethbridge, Canada to Eastport Idaho in Apr 1923. (Footnote.com at http://www.footnote.com/image/#41|10046890. A Copy is held by Paul Moore.)

1936 Letters from FHM: writes letter with others to thank Mr. Jordon the teacher of the naturalization class. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

01 Jan 1937 Letters from FHM: Francis attends Rose Parade for the first time. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

03 Jul 1937 Letters from FHM: Francis sends letter to nephew Joe in Detroit – mentions Detroit family names. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

13 Feb 1938 Letters from FHM: Francis writes Wigan Coal and Iron Company. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

9 May 1938 Letters from FHM: Francis writes letter to Joseph Brown mentioning: Farm at Pitcroft, Jack Kuth’s place, Brinks Pit, Billy Pit, Meadow Pit, Crawford Pit, Cale Road, Tinday pit, David C. Ollier (driver of locomotive), Jim Pugh. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

10 Jun 1938 Letters from FHM: Francis sends letter describing son, Fred, graduating from college (sic Junior College) and his naturalization. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

08 Sep 1938 Letters from FHM: Francis writes St Williams Church in Ince for marriage license. He lived on Yarrow St in Hindley and Phoebe lived on Broom Street Ince. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

09 May 1938 Letters from FHM: Francis sends letter to Joseph Brown Pitchcroft, Haigh Lanes England Describes history of self Hoover house, Family in CA Spencer’s of Lanes End were cousins and owned a grocery across Catholic Church. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

12 Aug 1938: Francis H Moore received his certificate of citizenship. He is 57 years old, male, white, 5 feet eight inches, light complexion, grey eyes and hair. He is married. (Paul Moore holds a copy of the citizenship certificate issue by the federal government.)

Jul 1939 Letters from FHM: Francis and Phoebe attend San Francisco World’s Fair with Phoebe (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

09 Sep 1939: Phoebe Moore becomes a citizen of the USA. She 5 four two and half inches, light complexion with brown eyes. She is 56 years old. She is married. She is British. She lives at 517 Hoover Ave, Whittier CA. (Naturalization Certificate. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

27 Dec 1940 Letters from FHM: Francis has to work his last Christmas. He mentions the flu around LA. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

9 Feb 1941 Letters from FHM: Francis’ last letter – handwritten. (Letters. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

02 May 1941 Death certificate: Francis died of coronary thrombosis from a rundown condition of pneumonia in Whittier, Los Angeles County, CA. He is a male, white and married. He lives at 517 Hoover Avenue in Whittier. He died at 9:20 am. He was a fireman in the oil fields. His father was Constantine Moore and his mother was Mary Watmaugh both from Aspull, England. He lived in the county state and country for 18 years. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles. (Death certificate is in the Los Angeles County Clerk’s Office in Norwalk, CA. A copy is held by Paul Moore) (He died in the Hoover House bathroom not quite 61 yrs old.)

21 Sep 1963 Phoebe Blinkhorn Moore died in Whittier CA at 9:40 pm. The last address was 6039 Hoover. (Then 517 Hoover.). She lists her parents as Henry Blinkhorn and Elizabeth Fishwick of England. She was a widowed. She has been a housewife for 58 years. . She lived at 517 (now 6039) Hoover Avenue in Whittier, CA. She died at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier CA. she is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles. (Death Certificate is in Los Angeles County offices in Norwalk CA. A copy is held by Paul Moore.) (Francis and Phoebe Moore are buried in graves 4 and 5 in lot 685 Section G as per a note on death certificate for Phoebe.)
Oct 1974: Wilfred “Dent” Moore, Francis’ eldest son, died. His last residence was at 85614 Green Valley, Pima, Arizona, United States of America.

27 Feb 1994; Florence Moore Barkley dies in Orange County CA. (CA Death Index 1940 – 1997 found at ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

06 Oct 2002: Francis Harry Moore died in Whittier, Los Angeles CA. (Social security Death index found at ancestry.com. A summary is a held by Paul Moore.)

Time Line of Francis and Phoebe Moore Part I

The Tunisian: The Ship Francis Moore Took to Canada 1907

Below is a time line of Francis H. Moore and his wife Phoebe Blinkhorn Moore. (Note letters of FHM means Letters written by Francis H Moore while he lived in Whittier CA.

23 Nov 1880: Francis Moore is born in Aspull England. Constantine and Mary Watmough Moore were his parents. They lived at 1 Church Street. District Wigan: (FreeBMD, Index 8C page 11 From Births Registered Jan Feb Mar. 1881 Page 372 Letters: Wilfred Moore, his brother in his description of his childhood said all his brothers and sisters were born there. Birth registration states that Francis Henry Moore was born
23rd November 1880 at 1 Church Street, Aspull. Father was Constantine Moore. His mother was Mary formerly Watmough. Father's profession was a contractor in a coal mine. Constantine signed when registering the birth. (The birth entry is in Lancashire County England. Paul Moore holds a copy.)

1881 Census: Francis Moore is living in Aspull with his father, Constantine, (34), mother, Mary, (35), Frederick J, (8). Constantine, (5), Mary E. (3), and Francis H is 4 months. There was a Bridget Hartney in the house. She is 19 and listed a servant as a relationship to the family. Constantine was a laborer at a colliery, his wife had no occupation. Frederick, Constantine and Mary were scholars. Constantine was born in Blackrod. All the rest were born in Aspull. The servant was born in Durham. (1891 Census from ancestry.com. Paul Moore has a copy.)
1891 Census: Constantine (44) is living with wife Mary (45) on Church Street Aspull. (Home Shop is listed.) He is a grocer and nothing is listed for Mary. The children are: Frederick J. (18), a colliery laborer, Norman (15) a grocer’s assistant, Mary E (12) a scholar, Francis H (10) a scholar, Wilfred (8) a scholar. Constantine was born in Blackrod, Mary in Wigan, and all other children in Aspull. (1891 Census from ancestry.com. Paul Moore has a copy.)

5 Oct 1882: Phoebe Blinkhorn is born at 60 #A that was on the back east side of Broom Street Upper Ince to Henry Blinkhorn and Elizabeth Fishwick Blinkhorn. Henry is a coal miner. (She gave her mark as an X). Phoebe was registered on 17 Nov 1882. A copy was sent 04 Oct 1947. (Birth Registration is in Lancaster county England. Paul Moore holds a copy.)

16 Oct 1882: Phoebe is christened. (Batch # is C007717 at www.familysearch.org.)


1897 Letter by FHM: Francis Moore Started work at Wigan Iron and Coal Company under Joe Cox at Top Place. He was a cleaner and a firer at Shevington and West Leigh. (Letter 13 Feb 1938. The Wigan Iron and Coal Company is local to Aspull. It is listed in 1869 city directory: http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/stuff/towndaspull.php?opt=townd1869)


1901 Census: Constantine Moore (54) is living with wife Mary (55) at 71 Haigh Road I Aspull. Their sons are Constantine (24), Francis (20), and Wilfred (17). Constantine is a general laborer while his wife is listed with no job. Constantine, a son, is a bus driver. Francis and Wilfred are are railway engine stokers. Constantine was born in Blackrod, Mary in Wigan and the boys in Aspull. (1901 census from Ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

1901 Census: Henry and Elizabeth Blinkhorn live at 34 Broom St in Ince in Markerfield. They live with their sons Robert (16), Henry (13), Thomas (11) and Arthur (8). Henry and Elizabeth were born in Wigan while the sons were born in Ince. Henry is a coal driver (?) and Robert and Henry are coal laborers Below ground. . Phoebe is not in the home or she is not listed as being in the home.. (1901 census found at ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore)

Before 25 Oct 1905: Phoebe converts to be a Roman Catholic. Harry’s wife said that Phoebe told her that converted in order to marry Francis. (A conversation with the wife of Harry Moore, a son of Francis Moore. she knew both Francis and Phoebe Moore.)

25 Oct 1905 Marriage Certificate: Francis Moore marries Phoebe Blinkhorn at St. William’s Church in Ince Wigan. He is living at 10 Yarrow St Hindley. She is at 34 Broom St Ince. Rev. A Dobson officiated. In presence of Robert Blinkhorn (older brother) (34 Broom) and Elizabeth Hornsby (18 Markland Rd Ince). (The record was requested on 11 Nov 1938 for Naturalization. A copy of Marriage certificate from Wigan is located at St Williams Ince. Paul Moore holds a copy.)

O8 Nov 1906: Wilfred ‘Dent” Moore is born in Wigan England. (Social security Death Index found at ancestry.com. A summary is a held by Paul Moore.)

1907 Letters from FHM: Before leaving England he is firing (railroad) for Dave Colliers under his brother Jim Collier.

1907 Letters from FHM: Francis leaves for Canada in April 1907. (Letter: 13 Feb 1932. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)
13 Apr 1907. Francis H Moore, Henry Blinkhorn (father in law) and Arthur Blinkhorn (brother in law) sail from Liverpool to Halifax on the Tunisian. They arrive in 13

Apr 1907. They have no cash listed. They are on their way to Sydney Mines.(Ancestry: Canadian Passenger Lists 1865 to 1935 roll T502. A copy is held by Paul Moore)
12 Sep 1908: Francis Harry Moore is born. (Social security Death index found at ancestry.com. A summary is a held by Paul Moore.)

1911 Canadian Census from Sydney Mines Nova Scotia: Francis Moore (B Nov 1820 is the head of the family. He is living with his wife Phoebe (b Oct 1884), son (B Nov 1906 (Wilfred?) daughter, Florence (B 1910) and son F…. ? (Francis) (b Sep 1908). They lived next to his father Constantine and the Blinkhorns. (1911 Census found at ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

29 Nov 1910: Florence Gertrude Moore is born in Sydney Mines Nova Scotia Canada. CA Death Index 1940 – 1997 found at ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

29 Dec 1916: Frederick Vincent Moore is born in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada to Francis Moore and Phoebe Blinkhorn. (Birth and Baptism Certificate located at The Roman Catholic Church, Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada)

1920 Census Canada: Not Available at Ancestry.com) (A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

Copyright 2011 Paul Moore

My Grandmother: Phoebe Blinkhorn Moore

Phoebe Blinkhorn Moore in Front of the Hoover House

My grandmother was Phoebe Blinkhorn Moore. I do remember her in that I was a teenager when she died.

My father was very close to his mother. Every Sunday around 4:00 pm he would take me and my brother to visit her in the house that she built on Hoover Ave. in Whittier, CA. This became a ritual in my youth. Sometime I would walk home after school. I would pass her house a stop in to say hello. I remember spending a lot afternoons at her house, perhaps she was babysitting me. I can’t remember why I would be there so often. We would spend every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter with her and my uncle Harry and his wife. Most of these holidays were spent at her house. Sometime she would visit us. She liked to cook. She was a huge fan of Liberace.

Phoebe Blinkhorn was born in the village of Ince near Wigan and Aspull on 16 Oct 1882. Her family must have been very poor. I had heard a family story that at one time Phoebe was a pit brow lassie. She told me once that she ran a pub in Blackpool. I have not been able to prove either story, but I believe both of them to be true.

I have been able to find Phoebe in all the censuses from her birth up to 1930 except for one. She is not on the 1901 census. Yet, two years later when she was married she was living with her parents in Ince. Perhaps they forgot to list her as living at home. Perhaps at 19 she went off and ran a pub in Blackpool. I don’t know where she was in 1901. I have been working on this problem for over a decade. I doubt I will ever find her in 1901.

She married Francis Moore on 25 Oct 1905 in a Roman Catholic Church. According to Harry’s wife that knew her, she had to convert from the Church of England to Roman Catholicism in order to marry Francis whose was family were devout Catholics.

She would follow her husband to Canada sometime between 1907 and 1908. (Uncle Harry was born in Canada in Sept of 1908.) She would again follow her husband to Whittier California in 1924. (She told me she took the train across the United States and was terrified about being attacked by Indians.)

When she came to Whittier the family lived in small houses for 6 years or so. All the while she was saving up money to build a house modeled on houses she had seen in England. She had a jar (cookie?) where the boys would put part of the wages every week. That is what she used to build the house on Hoover Avenue. My daughter and I own that house to this day. My daughter and her family live there.

She lived in that house with my Uncle Harry and his wife until 1963. That is the year my parents bought the house and moved in. We lived with my grandmother for a couple of months. Then she died on 23 Sep 1963. She is buried in a Catholic cemetery with her husband and later my Uncle Harry.

My biggest regret with my grandmother was that I was too young to ask about her life. Now I would like to know how she lived before getting married and moving to Canada.

There are still a number of her family members, namely the Blinkhorns’, that live in England and Canada.

I will post the time line for both her and Francis on the next blog. In future blogs I will work backward in time from Phoebe into the 1700’s with her Blinkhorn family.


Copyright 2001 Paul Moore

Francis H Moore: My Grandfather

Francis H Moore: Picture From Citizenship Document


I never knew my grandfather. He died before I was born. This has been a big regret in my life. From what I know of him, he could have been a good role model for me and my brother.

What I know of him came mainly though his letters to friends and family in Sydney Mines and Wigan. He always typed a carbon copy of these letters and kept them. After he died these letters fell into the hands of my uncle Francis aka “Harry.” I received a bound copy of these letters held by uncle for a Christmas present. Almost all that I know about him came from those letters.

From these letters I discovered he did not live in Wigan like I thought. He lived in Aspull/Haigh. Aspull and the neighboring Haigh are about 3 to 4 miles northeast of the much larger city of Wigan in Lancashire, England. From Aspull to the Blackrod, the home of Richard Moore is about more 2 miles further up the road. That makes Blackrod about 4 to 5 miles from Wigan.

From what I can tell from the letters he was a very intelligent man even though he ended his education at the eighth grade to work in the mines. He wrote short stories. He learned Spanish. He would write radio quiz shows and offer his questions on history and literature. He was knowledgeable on current events and had a definite opinion on the labor movement and what was going on in Europe with Hitler. In all his letters I never have come across a spelling or typing error.
Francis Henry Moore was born in Aspull in to Constantine and Mary Watmough Moore who lived at 31 Church Street on 23 Nov 1880. He attended Mass and school at the Our Lady’s Roman Catholic Church. By 1897 he is already working at the Wigan Iron and Coal Company. He is just 16 or 17 years old. On 25 Oct 1905 he married Phoebe Blinkhorn at St Williams Church in Ince where Phoebe lived. (Ince is about a mile from Aspull.) In April 1907 Francis Moore leaves England and immigrates to Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada. His ship was the Tunisia. In Sydney Mines he worked on the railroad that serviced the coal mines. He was fireman. He joined the union and remained a member pretty much the rest of his life. In 24 Jun 1923 he left Canada and immigrated to Whittier, CA with his brother Wilfred. They came to Whittier to work in the nearby Santa Fe Springs oil field. Phoebe and the children would join him in Feb 1924. He built the family home on Hoover Street with Phoebe after 1930. He became a citizen of the USA but always had a love of England until the day he died. He was transferred to the Taft Oil fields about 120 north of Los Angeles. There, in the spring of 1940, he contracted pneumonia. He died in the bathroom of his house on Hoover. He and Phoebe had four children. Wilfred was born in Wigan born on 8 Nov 1906. Francis Henry “Harry” was born on 12 Sep 1908. Florence Gertrude “Florie” was born on 29 Nov 1910. My father, Frederick Vincent “Freddy”, was born on 29 Dec 1916. All three of the younger children were born in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada.

That is my grandfather in a nutshell. In future posts, I will list a detail time line with sources for Francis Moore for those genealogists and others that are interested.

Copyright 2011 Paul Moore

Constantine and Mary Watmough Moore: Primary Source Documents

Birth Registration for Constantine Moore

Marriage registration for constantine Moore and Mary Watmough

Death certificate for Constantine Moore

Death certificate for Mary Watmough Moore

Mary Watmough's Birth Registration

Constantine Moore: For Genealogists

Constantine Moore with his granson Harry Blinkhorn taken in Sydney Mines. Nova Scotia, Canada

Below is a detailed time life For Constantine and Mary Watmough Moore that includes sources.

15 Aug 1845: Mary Watmaugh was born on 15 August 1845 at 11 p.m. at Bridge Street, Wigan. Her father was James Watmaugh. Her mother was Mary formerly Knight Father's profession was a collier. He made his mark when registering the birth. The registration was on the 27 Aug 1845. (Birth Registry from Lancaster County, England. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

06 Aug 1847: Constantine Moore is born on 6th August 1846, at Blackrod. Father: Richard Moore Mother: Faith Moore late Eccels, formerly Cunliffe. Father's profession is a collier. The mark of Richard Moore of Blackrod, was made when registering the birth. (From Sue Nance (an English genealogist): “Much more interesting is the name of Constantine's mother, Faith Moore, late Eccels, formerly Cunliffe. This explains a lot. I have now traced a marriage of Richard Moore to Faith Eccleston - at All Saints Church, Wigan in 1840. I suspect, yet again, that this is a registrar error and that the name should read Eccleston on the birth certificate. I will again check with the registrar. However I am quite satisfied that this is the correct marriage certificate of the parents - Faith is an unusual Christian name and the dates etc., fit. The two surnames suggest that she was married previously and I have searched for a marriage prior to this one but as it is so close to 1837 when civil registration I have not had any luck. I would suspect that the first marriage was prior to 1837 - and you would probably find it in the registers - if you were interested.)” (Birth Certificate from Lancaster County England. A copy is held by Paul Moore. E mails from Sue Nance are held also by Paul Moore.) (FreeBMD 1837 - 1913 birth index; Moore Constantine Wigan Vol. XXI Page 03 or 103 or 403 - (something 0-03.)

1851 Census Richard Moore is living at 46 Blundell’s Lane in Blackrod with his wife, Faith, both are 36. The children are; daughters Elizabeth (9) Margret (7) Ellen (10 Months) and a son Constantine (4). Richard is a coal miner. Constantine, Margret and Elizabeth are listed as scholars. Richard was born in Blackrod, Faith in Golborne. The children were all born in Blackrod. (Note the census spells the name as Moor.) (Found at ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

1851 Census: James Whatmough (sic Watmough) (34) is living with Mary (31), daughter Mary (7), son Thomas (5 ), daughter Betty (3) and son Henry (1). They live in the village of Small Bridge in St John’s Parish. Daughter Mary is a scholar. They were all born in Lancaster, County England. (Found at ancestry.com. a copy is held by Paul Moore.)

1861 Census Richard Moore (48) is living with his wife Faith (45) at 96 Tuckers Hill Lane in Haigh. The daughters are Margret (17) Ellen (10) and Charity Mary (9 months). The sons are Constantine (14) and William (8). Richard is a coal miner and Faith is a coal miner’s wife. Ellen and William are scholars. Constantine is a drawer in a coal mine. Margret is a coal Pit? Brow lab (laborer?) Everyone was born in Blackrod except Faith that was born in Golborne. .) (Found at ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

1861 Census: James Whatmough (sic Watmough) (40) and his wife, Mary (39) are living on Ince Green Lane at Burrell houses (Horses?) in Ince Makerfield. Their sons are: Thomas (17), Henry (12), Peter (8) and James (5). Their daughters are: Mary (15) and Ann (2). James works in a coal mine. Thomas is a coal miner. Mary is a cotton mill operative. Peter and James are scholars. James was born in Over Hulton, Mary (wife) was born in Atherton, Thomas in Abram, Mary and Henry in Wigan, Peter in Astley, James (son) and Ann were born in Ince. (Found on Ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

03 Jun 1869 Marriage Certificate - Constantine Moore married Mary Watmough on the 3rd June 1869 at Our Lady's Church, Wigan (He was probably married in our Lady’s Church in Aspull but registered in Wigan). He was 22 years old and she was 23 years old. He was a bachelor and she was a spinster. He was a coal miner and she was a domestic servant. His residence at the time of the marriage was Tuckers Hill, Haigh and She lived at Meadow House, Haigh. His father was Richard Moore a coal miner and her father was James Watmough a Colliery Underlooker. The witnesses were Henry Watmough and Ellen Moore. (Marriage Certificate from Lancaster County England. Paul Moore holds a copy.)

Abt. 1870 Edward Moore is born to Constantine and Mary Moore. (Census 1871)
1871 Census: Constantine (24) is living with wife Mary (25), son Edward (1) and Mary Marsdon (?) a cousin. The address is 114 Tuckers Hill Lane Haigh. Constantine was born is Blackrod, Mary in Wigan, Edward in Aspull and Margret in Pemberton (?) Constantine is a coal miner, Mary employed in the home and Margret is a scholar. (Found at ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

March 1873: Frederick Moore born to Constantine and Mary Moore. (Census 1881 and 1891) (FreeBMD Birth Index found at freebmd.org.uk. A summary is held by Paul Moore Vol. 8C Page 19)

Abt. Jul 1875: Constantine Norman Moore II is born to Constantine and Mary Moore.. (FreeBMD Birth Index found at freebmd.org.uk. A summary is held by Paul Moore Vol. 8C Page 23)

Jan to Mar 1877: Edward Alexander Moore died. He is probably the correct Edward in that the 1881 census does not list an Edward Moore. He was just 7 years old. (Vol C page 13 in the Index) (http://freebmd.org.uk/cgi/districts.pl?r=58938744&d=bmd_1310461961)

Jun 1878: Mary Elizabeth Moore is born to Constantine and Mary Moore (Census 1881)

1881 Census: Constantine (34) is living with his wife Mary (35) at 1 and 2 Church Street in Aspull. The children are: Frederick J. (8) a scholar, Constantine (5), Mary E (3) and Francis (newborn). There is a domestic servant in the home named Bridget Hartney (19) from Durham. Richard was born in Blackrod, Mary in Wigan and the children in Aspull. Constantine is listed as a general laborer at a colliery. (From ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore)
1881 City Directory: Moore Constantine, grocer, draper & provision dealer, Church street, Haigh road.

11 Oct 1882: Wilfred Moore is born to Constantine and Mary Moore of Aspull Lancashire England. . . (1891 census found on ancestry.com. Copy is held by Paul Moore) (Social security Death Index found at ancestry.com. A summary is held by Paul Moore.)

1891 Census: Constantine (44) is living with wife Mary (45) on Church Street in Aspull. (Home Shop is listed??) He is a grocer and nothing is listed for Mary. The children are: Frederick J (18) a colliery laborer, Norman (15) a grocer’s assistant, Mary E (12) a scholar, Francis H (10) a scholar, Wilfred (8) a scholar. Constantine was born in Blackrod, Mary in Wigan, and all children in Aspull. (1891Census that is found on ancestry.com. Copy is held by Paul Moore)

1901 Census: Constantine Moore (54) is living with wife Mary (55) at 71 Haigh Road I Aspull. Their sons are Constantine (24) Francis (20) and Wilfred (17). Constantine is a general laborer while his wife is list with no job. Constantine, the son, is a bus driver; Francis and Wilfred are is a railway engine stokers. Constantine was born in Blackrod, Mary in Wigan and the boys in Aspull. (Found on ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

13 Apr 1907: Constantine (54?) and Mary (55?) immigrated to Canada on the ship “Tunisia.’. He is listed as an agent, she as a wife. There is a stamp that says returned Canadians. So maybe they immigrated before 1907 and returned to England for the rest of the family. They arrived at Halifax Nova Scotia and St John’s New Brunswick. They left from Liverpool (Roll T 502)

13 Dec 1913: Constantine dies in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada. He is a male 67 years old. He was a coal miner. He was born in England on 6 Aug 184? The person making the return was W C Moore. He is buried at St. Mary’s Church. (Death Certificate is from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Paul Moore holds a copy.)

25 Jan 1922: Mary, a widow, died in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada, where she resided. She was 76 yrs old 5 months and 10 days. She was a housekeeper. Her father was James Watmough. She was born in England on 15 Aug 1845 (written in pencil). Dr. McRae was the attending physician. She is buried at St Mary’s Church where Henry is buried. (Death Certificate from Halifax Nova Scotia. A copy s held by Paul Moore.)

Notes
While scrubbing the porch at Church St. in Aspull, Mary got an infection and her leg was amputated. She disciplined her children with her cane. (This is a family story that is not sourced. This was told to me by Gene Moore who was told this by Phoebe Moore who knew Mary Moore, her mother in law.)
If Mary is buried at St Mary’s, Constantine is probably there as well.
Francis and Phoebe Blinkhorn Moore immigrated to Canada in 1907. So we can assume that Constantine immigrated around this time.
Copyright 2011 by Paul F Moore

Constantine Moore: A Brief Biography Of My Great Grandfather:

Constantine Moore in Front of House at #1 Church Street Aspull


Although Constantine Moore was my great grandfather, I really don’t know all that much about him. I do know from his birth registration he was born to Richard and Faith (Cunliffe) Moore on 06 Aug 1846 in Blackrod, England. (His mother was a widower when she married Richard Moore. Her first Husband was an Eccles.) Constantine had several brothers and sisters: Elizabeth (born about 1842), Margaret (born about 1844), Ellen (born about 1851), William (born about 1853) and Charity Mary (born about 1862). They were all born in Blackrod. Constantine married a Mary Watmaugh on 03 Jun 1869 Our Lady’s Church in Wigan (possibly Aspull in that is the name of the church in Aspull). His family was Roman Catholic. Her family was probably Roman Catholic or Mary converted). Throughout his life Constantine was a coal miner. He moved to the nearby village of Haigh around 1861. By 1871 the family was living in the village next to Blackrod and Haigh named Aspull. In Aspull, he was a grocer as well as a coal miner. He and Mary had several children: Frederick (born in About 1873 and died about 1948 in Michigan), Mary Elizabeth (born about 1878) Constantine Norman (born about 1875) Francis (my grandfather, born 23 Nov 1880 and died in Whittier CA on 02 May 1941), and Wilfred (born 11 Oct 1882 and died in Whittier CA on 25 Sep 1970)). They were all born in Aspull. In 1907 he was involved in a migration to Nova Scotia, Canada along with some of his sons Francis and Wilfred. (The ship they took from Liverpool to Nova Scotia was named the Tunisia. It may have been charted to take immigrants to Canada.) They came to Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia with a second family, the Blinkhorns’. Two of the Moores married two of the Blinkhorns. In Canada he continued to be a coal miner until he died in 13 Dec 1913. Mary died in Sydney Mines on 25 Jan 1922. Mary was buried in the St Mary’s Church Cemetery in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia. That is probably where Constantine was buried as well.
I have one picture of Constantine that I know is him. In the picture Constantine is sitting in front of his house on #1 Church Street (It is right across the street from Our Lady’s Roman Catholic Church. It is also diagonally across from the Spencer grocery that was once owned by Constantine’s father, Richard.)
I know even less about Constantine’s wife Mary Watmaugh who is my great grandmother. There is a family story that said she had only one leg. Apparently one of her legs got infected after an injury that happened while she swept the porch at the house at #1 Church Street in Aspull. I have no proof of this. However, it should be true in that why would anyone make a story like that?
On my last trip To Aspull England I stood where the front room of the house on Church Street was located. To be precise, I parked my rental car there. It is now a parking lot of a popular restaurant. We had dinner there several times. I told the owner, a nice lady, that our rental car is parked in what once the front room on my great grandfather’s house. She seemed to be interested.

My Great, Grand Aunt Margaret Moore: A Pit Brow Lassie Part IV

(From the Bottom Up)
First and Second Photos: Mr. James Spencer and Mrs. Margaret Moore Spencer

Third Photo: Margaret Moore’s birth and marriage registrations listing Richard and Faith Moore as parents and James as her husband. The father of James was Peter Spencer.

Fourth Photo: The Spencer Grocery. It looks like the sign above the door is an ad for soap.

Fifth Photo : Newspaper article on their 50th anniversary.

Sixth Photo: Grave of James and Margaret Moore Spencer in Blackrod, Lancashire, England. They are listed at the bottom.

Bottom Photo: Me with some descendents of the Spencer/s: Eileen Hawkins and Leo Turner.

2011 Copyright Paul F Moore

My Great, Grand Aunt Margaret Moore: A Pit Brow Lassie Part III

Margaret Moore Spencer

So whatever happened to Margaret Moore, the daughter of Richard Moore and the sister to Constantine Moore, my great grandfather? She began her life at 17 working on of most difficult and dangerous jobs, a pit brow laborer. But it turns out she ended up well.

She married James Spencer, a coal miner, in Nov 1862. By 1881 they had nine children. They are (in 1881) Mary (8), Peter (16), John (14), Richard (18 sic 12), Elizabeth (10), Ellen (8), Teresa Faith (also spelled Tresa) (4), James Harold (2) and Thomas Allen (3 months). Then came the big break. Sometime after 1881, the Spencer’s moved to 41 Haigh Road in Aspull which was previously owned by Margaret’s father, Richard Moore, who had started a little grocery store there. James Spencer became not only a coal miner but also a merchant. Ten years later the 60 year old James Spencer is a full time grocer. He is out of the mines. In November of 1912, the Spencer’s celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. By this time you can infer they are making it into the middle class. The celebration was a big family affair. They were given a silver plated fruit, cake and flower bowl by their children. They received a blessing from the pope because of their hard work at the local Roman Catholic Church. (James was the manager of the local Catholic school.) . Some of their their descendents live in Aspull or nearby to this day. I met a few of them.


For those interested in more detail of Margaret Moore Spencer:

1841: James Spencer is born is Haigh, Lancashire England. (1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses from ancestry.com. Summaries are held by Paul Moore.)

24 Feb 1844 Margaret Moore is born and is baptized at St Mary’s in Wigan on 3 Mar 1844. She is the daughter of Richard Moore and Fides (Faith in Latin) Moore. The godparents are James? and Jane Moore. (Birth registration is from the General Registers Office in England. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

1851 Census Richard Moor (sic Moore) is living at 46 Blundell’s Lane in Blackrod with his wife, Faith, both are 36. The children are; daughters Elizabeth (9) Margret (7) Ellen (10 Months) and a son Constantine (4). Richard is a coal miner. Constantine, Margret and Elizabeth are listed as scholars. Richard was born in Blackrod, Faith in Golborne. The children were all born in Blackrod. (Note the census spells the name as Moor.) 1851 Census Richard (36) is living in Blackrod (p 15 entry 46). He is living at Blundell’s Lane. (1851 census found at ancestry.com. A summary is held by Paul Moore.)

1861 Census: Richard Moore (48) is living with his wife Faith (45) at 96 Tuckers Hill Lane in Haigh. The daughters are Margaret (17) Ellen (10) and Charity Mary (9 months). The sons are Constantine (14) and William (8). Richard is a coal miner and Faith is a coal miner’s wife. Ellen and William are scholars. Constantine is a drawer in a coal miner. Margret is a coal pit? brow lab (laborer?) Everyone was born in Blackrod except Faith who was born in Golborne. (1861 Census found at ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

29 Nov 1862: Margaret Moore marries James Spencer at Our Lady’s Church in Aspull by Henry Jones. Margret is the daughter of Richard Moore and lives in Haigh No information is given about James. The witnesses were Constantine Moore of Haigh and Mary Moore of Aldington. (Marriage Certificate from the General Registers Office in England. A copy is held by Paul Moore.) (Newspaper Article: Wigan Advertiser on their Golden Anniversary printed 12 Dec 1912. Kept as an e mail file from Leo Turner.)

1871: James (30) and Margret Spencer (27) are living at 90 Ends Lane (?) in Aspull. Their children are Mary (8), Peter (6), John (4), Richard (2) and Elizabeth (3 months). James is a coal miner. Mary, Peter and John are scholars. James was born in Haigh, Margret in Blackrod. All the children were born in Aspull. (1871 census from ancestry.com. A summary is held by Paul Moore.)

1881: James (40) and Margret Spencer (37) are living at 51 Haigh Lane in Aspull. Their children are Mary (8), Peter (16), John (14), Richard (18 sic 12) and Elizabeth (10) Ellen (8) Teresa Faith ((4) James Harold (2) and Thomas Allen (3 months). James, Peter and John are coal miners. Mary is not working. Richard, Elizabeth Ellen and Teresa are scholars. James was born in Haigh, Margret in Blackrod. All the children were born in Aspull. (1881 census from ancestry.com. A summary is held by Paul Moore.)

Between 1881 and 1891: The Spencer’s move to 47 Haigh Road in Aspull. This was the former home of Richard Moore, Margret’s father. Richard Moore lived in this home when he died on 07 April 1884. Faith Moore, Margaret’s mother moved in with her daughter Charity Junsworth and her husband, Robert. (England and Wales National Probate Center (Index of Wills and Administration) 1961 to 1974) (1881 and 1891 censuses from ancestry.com. Copies are held by Paul Moore.)

1 May 1887: John Spencer, son of James and Margaret Spencer, died. He is buried in Blackrod (Headstone at cemetery in Blackrod. Photo is held by Paul Moore.)

23 Dec 1887: Oswald Spencer died. He was the son of James and Margaret Spencer. He was 1 year and 9 months old. (Headstone at cemetery in Blackrod. Photo is held by Paul Moore.)

1891: James (50) and Margret Spencer (47) are living at 47 Haigh Lane in Aspull. Their children are Mary (28), Peter (26), Richard (22) and Elizabeth (20) Ellen (18) Teresa Faith ((17) James Harold (12) Thomas Allen (10) and Joseph (8). James is a coal miner and grocer, his wife. Margret, is a grocer, Peter is a coal miner. Richard is an omnibus driver/groom that is not employed, Elizabeth is dress maker, Ellen is not employed, and Teresa is a dress maker’s apprentice, James, Thomas and Joseph are scholars. James was born in Haigh, Margret in Blackrod. All the children were born in Aspull. (1891 census from ancestry.com. A summary is held by Paul Moore.)

09 Jun 1896: Richard Spencer died. He was the son of James and Margaret Spencer. (Headstone at cemetery in Blackrod. Photo is held by Paul Moore.)

1901: James (60) and Margret Spencer (57) are living at 47 Haigh Lane in Aspull. Their children are Teresa Faith (24) James Harold (22) Thomas Allen (20) and Joseph (17). James is a grocer with an outdoor license. Teresa is not employed. James is a hostler groom (stable boy). Thomas and Joseph are cabinet makers. James was born in Haigh, Margret in Blackrod. All the children were born in Aspull. (1901 census from ancestry.com. A summary is held by Paul Moore.)

30 Nov 1912: The Spencer’s celebrate their golden anniversary on the 30 Nov instead of the 29th because the Saturday the 29th was more convenient. The celebration started at a holy mass at Our Lady’s Church in Aspull/Haigh. Before the mass the family assembled at Our Lady’s School. The photographer was a nephew, Fred Moore of Sea View, Haigh. He took pictures of the couple, the couple with grandchildren and the entire group. Tea was severed by Miss H Hinton of Wigan. Father Calloway toasted the couple noting all the extraordinary service they had given the church especially by James Spencer who acted as a school manager. Father Calloway stated that through the bishop the his Holiness the Pope blessed the couple by writing; “our Holy father the pope with all his heart blesses James and Margret Spencer on the occasion of their golden wedding and lovingly prays God grant them every joy and blessing.” They received an exact copy of the blessing. The oldest child, Peter, spoke and toasted the couple. They were given a silver plated fruit, cake and flower bowl engraved with “Presented to Mr. and Mrs. Spencer on their golden anniversary by their children. Haigh, Nov 1912. Other speeches were given by sons James, Thomas Allen and Joseph. Mr. Spencer thanked the priest and his children for the present which will be displayed prominently in their home. Family member sang songs. Fred Moore showed lantern views (slides?) (Newspaper Article: Wigan Advertiser on their Golden Anniversary printed 12 Dec 1912. Kept as an e mail file from Leo Turner.)

28 Jun1920: Margaret Moore Spencer died. (Headstone at cemetery in Blackrod. Photo is held by Paul Moore.)

23 Dec 1923: James Spencer died. . (Headstone at cemetery in Blackrod. Photo is held by Paul Moore.)




2011 Copyright by Paul F Moore

My Great, Grand Aunt Margaret Moore: A Pit Brow Lassie

Pit Brow Lassies


On the 1861 English census that lists the family of Richard Moore, there is an entry for a Margaret Moore. She was just 17, about the age of an American high school senior. Next to her age is listed her employment. It says that she was a pit brow lab. I am pretty sure that the lab is short for laborer. My great grand aunt was one of the famous Wigan pit brow lassies. (I also heard that my grandmother Phoebe Blinkhorn was also a pit brow lassie. I have never been able to confirm this. It would not surprise me at all if she was.)

After the coal was brought to the surface, some it ended up by the opening of the mine. This coal would soon stack up sometimes growing into a little hill. This was called the pit brow. Women were hired by the miner owners of mine to work the pit brow by collecting coal, sorting it and doing a number of odd jobs on the surface of the mine that often were very dangerous. The women who worked the pit brow were called pit brow women or more commonly pit brow lassies. Margaret Moore, the daughter of Richard and my great, grand aunt was such a pit brow lassie.

The pit brow lassies were generally young, in their teens, and worked the pit brow until their late 20’s or early 30’s. They would quit when they married. However, there were many exceptions to this rule. The oldest lassie I know of was 73 when she retired after working 62 years. She must have started working at mine when she 11 years old. (Davies p. 118).

These women would work in very distinctive outfits. They would wear a shawl over head to protect their hair form all coal dust. They would men’s pants. At first the pants were noticeable. As time passed they started wearing a skirts over the pants to hide them. (I have read that men would come to the pits just to see these women wearing pants. I would guess to a Victorian gentleman watching the lassies wearing pants would be the modern day equivalent of visiting a strip club.) Many of the women would carry a basket with a grid on the bottom which they would use to sort the coal. On their feet they would wear the wooden clogs that were pretty much the same as the men would wear in the mines.

It was dangerous work. In his book, Alan Davies, has four pages of samples of women and children who were injured and or died at the pit brows. This is just a small sample of what he has in his book. I believe his book has just a small sample of the number of women and children injured a killed. (Davies pp 112 – 115)

Priscilla Jones, 4 years old, died by a tub rolling down a dirt heap. Her aunt placed her there.
Margaret Barker, 17, was crushed between coal trucks.
Ellen Taylor, 15, fell into a tub of hot water and scalded to death.
Mary Heyes, 20, crushed to death.
Elizabeth Farrimond, 16, ran over by a railway wagon

To Be Continued:


Sources

Davies Alan, The Pit Brow women of the Wigan Coalfield, Tempus Publishing Limited, Gloucestershire, 2006.

Lane, Dave, Pit Brow Lasses, Lulu (www.lulu.com) 2005.

Photo is from the website wiganshades.pwp.blueyonder.co.kk. http://www.wiganshades.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/pitbrow2.jpg

Copyright 2011 Paul F Moore

Geography Lesson: Where in the World Is Wigan

This is Wigan in 1910: Wallgate

In 2009 my wife, Connie, and I took a cruise to Western Europe on the Grand Princess. There were about 200 Americans sailing with over 2000 British people. When I told the Brits my family came from Wigan, they often responded with laughter. I was told back in the vaudeville days British comedians often made fun of Wigan because of its strange name. When I told the Brits that we would be staying in Wigan for 5 days, we were met with total and complete disbelief. Who in their right mind would spend any time in Wigan on holiday? There is nothing there to attract a tourist. The answer would be myself for one, and my wife would make two and my daughter would make three! Actually, my wife, my daughter and I like it there, especially the nearby village of Aspull.

To find Wigan on a map of England, you can draw a line between the cities of Manchester and Liverpool in Lancashire County in the northwest of England. Wigan would be about half way and north. Within a short distance of Wigan there are a number of smaller villages that either are a part of metropolitan Wigan or they are very close to it (see mileage chart below). These places have names like Aspull, Ince, Haigh, Scholes (a neighborhood in Wigan) and Blackrod (associated more with Bolton than Wigan). These will be the places that the Moore’s and other related families would live prior to and through the nineteenth century until they immigrated to Canada in 1903.

In the nineteenth century there was not much in Wigan except for two things. The first was coal and lots of it. Second was an abundance of cheap labor to work in the coal mines. That alone would place Wigan at very heart of the English industrial revolution. In the 1800 and starting even before that, the Wigan area was dotted with mining operations one after another after another. And each mining operation was worked by the desperately poor like the Moore’s and other related families like the Cunliffes, Blinkhorns, Watmaugh’s and Fishwicks just to name a few.

It was the coal that England needed for its industrialization and empire building. It was the coal provided power for the factories. It was the fuel for the ships that connected the far flung English colonies around the world and for the British navy that “protected” and maintained these colonies. England needed the coal and it was with the labor of the Wigan coal miners and other coal miners in England that supplied the empire with its power.

After a while Wigan developed a second industry. That would be textile mills. The mills would employ women to operate the machines and weave the cloth.

The mines and the mills would compete over who would get the cheap female labor in that both would use woman workers. Whether you were working the pits or the mills you worked under terrible conditions with very little pay. This was especially true with the women and girls who worked the mines who were called the Pit Brow Lassies. More about them later.

England was ground zero of the industrial revolution in Europe, and Wigan was at ground zero of the English industrialization. It was in this environment the Moore’s and related families lived, worked and in the end survived.

Wigan Area Mileage Chart:
Wigan to Aspull 2.9 Miles
Aspull to Blackrod 2.0 Miles
Blackrod to Wigan 4.9 Miles
Wigan to Ince 1.6 miles
Aspull to Haigh 0.8 Miles
Ince to Aspull 3.0 Miles

(Source for Wigan photograph: www.wiganworld.co.uk http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/oldgallery/soldphoto.php?pic=wig2l.jpg&w=520&h=331&opt=g3)

Copyright 2011 Paul Moore

Richard Moore: Collier and Shopkeeper: Part II

This is a drawer in a coal mine in Wigan in 1890. Picture is from WWW.historywold.co.uk (http://www.historyworld.co.uk/photo.php?id=973&offset=0&sort=0&l1=Work&l2=Mining)

Below is the rest of the life of Richard Moore in detail with sources if you are interested. In the previous post I told his life story in just one paragraph. The information here is for serious family historians and genealogists and anyone else that may be interested.

In 1861 Richard Moore (48) is living with his wife Faith (45) at 96 Tuckers Hill Lane in Haigh. The daughters are Margret (17) Ellen (10) and Charity Mary (9 months). The sons are Constantine (14) and William (8). Richard is a coal miner and Faith is a coal miner’s wife. Ellen and William are scholars. Constantine is a drawer in a coal mine. Margret is a coal Pit brow lab (laborer?) Everyone was born in Blackrod except Faith who was born in Golborne.

In Nov 1862 Margret Moore marries James Spencer at Our lady’s Church in Aspull by Henry Jones. Margret is the daughter of Richard Moore and lives in Haigh No information is given about Peter. The witnesses were Constantine Moore of Haigh and Mary Moore of Adlington. (Marriage Certificate from the General Registers Office in England. A copy is held by Paul Moore.)

In 1871 Richard (58) and Faith (56) are living with Ellen 20, William (18) and Charity Mary (10). Richard was born in Blackrod while Faith was born in Golborne. They live in Haigh, Lancaster County England. The registration district is Wigan. Ellen is a dress maker and William is an apprentice carpenter. Charity is a scholar. The address is illegible It looks like All children were born in Blackrod. (1871 census)

1881 Census Richard and Faith are living at 47 Haigh in Aspull. He is 66 and a grocer. She is 65. Also living with them is Charity Mary Moore who is 20 and a dressmaker. Richard was born in Blackrod, Faith in Golborne and Charity in Blackrod. . (1881 census that is found at ancestry.com. A copy is held by Paul Moore)

1881 Aspull City Directory: Moore Richard, grocer and beer retailer, 47 Haigh Road. (The directory can be found at www.wiganworld.com.)

07 Apr 1884: Richard Moore (68) died. According to the England and Wales Index of Wills 1861 -1941 Richard Moore died on 07 Apr 1884. He lived at 47 Haigh Road in Aspull. He worth was 148 pounds 10s. He was a collier and grocer. His widow was Faith Moore. The will was registered on 14 July 1884. (England and Wales National Probate Center (Index of Wills and Administration) 1961 to 1974) (England and Wales FreeBMD 1837 – 1915, Deaths Registered in April May June p 212. (This index refers to Vol. 8C p. 5) It is found at ancestry.com. A copy of that page is held by Paul Moore.)

1891 Census: Faith is listed as the mother in law living with Charity M Junsworth. There are no children listed. Faith is a widow and Mary is a dressmaker. They live at 67 Haigh Road. The head of the house is a Robert Junsworth (?). He is a joiner. (1891 census)

Oct. Nov. or Dec. 1897 Faith dies at 81. She is listed in FreeBMD death registry Oct., Nov. Dec. 1897. The registry is from Wigan, Greater Manchester, Lancashire England. She is in Vol. 8C paage 16 (My English contact, Philip Butterworth has the month as Nov.)

Copyright 2011 Paul F Moore

Richard Moore: Collier and Shopkeeper: Part I

Birth and Marriage Registrations for Margret Moore Spencer, Daughter of Richard Moore. Click image to make it larger.

Now we can say farewell to William Moore (whoever he was), and all the guess work associated with him, and enter the world of Richard Moore. He was the son of William Moore and his wife Faith Cunliffe. We can reconstruct their lives with some degree of certainty. There will be much less guess work with Richard and Faith.

Richard and Faith are my grandson’s GGGG grandparents. (Willam Moore would be my grandson's GGGGG gandaprents.)

Richard was born about 1814 or so in Blackrod Le Moors near Bolton in Lancashire England. His father was William Moore as stated on his marriage registration. His mother may have been named Ann or Nancy, but there is no hard proof of that. He was married in 1840. His wife was Faith Cunliffe from Golborne who was born about 1816. She was a widow previously married to a Richard Eccleston. In 1841, Richard and Faith were living in Blackrod. (They lived near Ann Moore who possibly could be his mother). He was collier. Their children were Elizabeth (about 1842) Margret (1844), Constantine (1846), Ellen (1850) William (1853) and Charity (about 1860). The Richard Moore family moved around quite a bit. They were in Blackrod in 1851, in the nearby town of Haigh in 1861, back to Blackrod in 1871 and finally in Aspull in 1881. All these towns are close to each other. Richard is mainly a coal miner but he is listed a grocer in Aspull in the 1881 census. Richard died in 1884. He lived at 47 Haigh Road in Aspull. He had a personal estate of 146 pounds 10 shillings that went to his widow. Faith died in 1897. She was living with her daughter Charity Moore Junsworth at 67 Haigh Road in Aspull.

Most people can stop reading here. I have put Richard’s and Faith’s life in one paragraph. For most people that is about all you really need to know. However, for genealogists, family historians or if you like to see the lives in more detail and want my sources read on.

In About 1814, Richard Moore is born in Blackrod, Lancashire, England.. (Marriage registration and Censuses 1841/51)

About 1816: Faith Cunliffe, (Richard Moore’s future wife) is born in as Golborne, Lancashire County. (Census 1851 and marriage registration – see blog ---.) (Philip Butterfield has the date as 1 Apr 1816)

Before 1840 Faith marries Richard Eccleston in St. Peters Bolton. (Philip Butterworth) Richard Eccleston will die leaving Faith a widow. (Marriage Registration.)

On 6 Jul 1840 Richard Moore age 26 a bachelor and a collier married Faith Eccleston age 24 a widow. They were registered at the Parish Church (All Saints) of Wigan. They both made their mark and the two witnesses were Henry Harding and Ann Cunliffe who also both made their mark. Richard's father was William Moore a collier and Faith's father was Ralph Cunliffe also a Collier. They were married by banns and both were living in Haigh at the time of the marriage. (Eccleston would be her first husband) (Marriage certificate)

In 1841 Richard is 25 and Faith is 25 (ages rounded). He is a collier. They live in a section of Blackrod called Scotland. Both of them were born in Lancashire County, England. (Note about the 1841 census: everyone over 15 years old had a 0 or 5 as the last digit in their age. The census taker round up to the nearest 5 or 0. (1841 census)

About 1842 Elizabeth Moore is born. (1851 Census)

24Feb. 1844 Margret Moore is born. (1851 Census and (Birth registration for Margret Moore)

24 Feb 1844 Margret Moore is born. She is baptized at St Mary’s in Wigan on 3 Mar 1844. She is the daughter of Richard Moore and Fides (Faith in Latin) Moore. The godparents are James (last name not readable) and Jane Moore. (Birth registration for Margret Moore).

06 Aug 1846 Constantine Moore is born. (Birth Certificate)

About 1850 Ellen Moore is born. (Census 1851, 1871)
.
1851 Census Richard Moor (sic Moore) is living at 46 Blundell’s Lane in Blackrod with his wife, Faith, both are 36. The children are; daughters Elizabeth (9) Margret (7) Ellen (10 Months) and a son Constantine (4). Richard is a coal miner. Constantine, Margret and Elizabeth are listed as scholars. Richard was born in Blackrod, Faith in Golborne. The children were all born in Blackrod. (Note the census spells the name as Moor.) 1851

About 1853: William Moore is born. (1861 Census)

16 Jun 1860: Charity Moore is born at Lower Aberdeen in Blackrod. Her parents are Richard Moore and Faith formerly Eccleston. Faith left her mark. The registration occurred on 30 Jun 1860. (Birth Registration.)

To be continued.

William Moore: The Last Word For Now……….Part II

Another view of the Little Scotland area of Blackrod today. The Moore’s never lived in houses like this!


To make matters even “Moore” interesting, I just happened to see a Mary Moor (sic Moore) in both the 1841 census and 1851 census that lived in Blackrod. She was born in 1771! She could very well be the mother of William who may have been born around 1795. She would have been around 24 in 1795. The problem is that the 1851 census has strange dates for the people living with her.

1841: Mary Moore is living is living in Scotland a part of Blackrod, Bolton Le Moors in Lancashire County. She is listed as 70. Her daughter Elizabeth 40 is living with her. Elizabeth is a weaver. Mary Moore is also in the home. She is 20 and also a weaver. A Valentine Walls is in the home is 12 and a collier All were born in Lancashire county England. She lives next to Richard Moore. They are on the same page of the census. The ages were rounded in the 1841 census. (1841census. A summary is held by Paul Moore.)

30 Mar 1851: Mary Moor (sic Moore) is living Little Scotland, Blackrod, Lancashire, England. She is 80 years old and widower. She is living with her daughter Betty (Elizabeth) who is 37 and unmarried. Thomas Moor is also living in the house. He is 23 and a widower. He is listed as a son. I find it hard to believe he is a son of Mary. She would have been 48 when she had him. If he was a son of Elizabeth, she would have been 14 when she had him which is possible. He is not in the home in 1841 when he would have been just 13. Also in the home are a Betty Farryman who is 22 and works as a pit brow worker and her 5 month old son William Farryman. They are lodgers. (1851Census. A summary is held by Paul Moore.)

18 Jul 1850: Mary (21) as buried according to the Bolton Death Index on FreeBMD. She was a papist. At first I thought this Mary was the 80 year old. Then I found out she was only 20 when she died in 1850. The Moore’s were Roman Catholic. http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Blackrod/stkatharine/burials_1839-1853.html.

There were seven families of Moore’s living in Blackrod in 1841 through 1851. Although I can’t prove it 100%, I believe these families are all related to each other in some way with the matriarch being Mary Moore born in 1771.

So when I began this blog the earliest known Moore was William Moore who lived in the first three decades of the nineteenth century as a collier in a little town called Blackrod in Lancashire County England. As the week concluded I believe now we can say (although not with 100% certainty) that oldest known Moore was a little 80 year old lady who lived in the last quarter of the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century in Blackrod. We have a now Moore living in 1771.

Blundell’s Lane, Little Scotland, Blackrod. The Moore’s lived in this area on this street.

William Moore: The Last Word For Now……….Part I

It is simply amazing what can happen when you start writing out facts, and you receive a few e mails from friends and family in England. (Leo Turner and Phillip Butterfield). When I started writing this blog I knew practically nothing about the earliest known Moore in my tree, William Moore. Everything I write below was discovered in the last few days. It is like you find one clue and that open opens up more and more other clues.

I understand this can be a bit tedious to read. However, I have to write up all the logic so that in case someone 50 years from runs across this blog, they will know how I

Here is what I think happened in the life of William Moore. I have absolutely no hard proof. However, I have done an analysis of the data (not my favorite technique) and it suggests the following.

Around 1794 or 1795: William Moore was born in or around Blackrod Lancashire England. (This date is logical if he was about 20 at his son’s, Richard’s, birth.) If he was an older father he could have been born as early as 1771 but I do not think that 1771 date is accurate.

Around 1796: Ann, William Moore’s possible future wife is born. This would make Richard and Ann about the same age. In 1841 she is the only widow that could have had son, Richard, born in 1814. (1841 census for Blackrod)

Before 1815: William Moore marries Ann. (William probably married before his son’s birth.)

1814/15: His son, Richard Moore, is born. (Marriage Registration and 1851 census.)

Between 1818 and 1828: his other children listed on Ann’s 1841 census are born. They are William (about 1818), Mary (about 1821), and Ann (about 1828). They may have been other children that already left the house before 1841 like Richard. (1841 and 1851censuses)

Jan to Mar 1841: William Moore dies before the census. There is no William Moore of the correct age range living in Blackrod for the 1841 census. There is a William Moore listed on the Bolton FreeBMD death Index for the first quarter 1841. (Bolton is a larger city near Blackrod.) So we can assume he died in 1841. (1841 Census. Freebmd)

7 Jun 1841: Ann Moore (45) is listed on the Blackrod Le Moors census living with William (15), Mary (15) and Ann (13). They live very close to their brother Richard. There is no William Moore of the correct age range living in Blackrod for the 1841 census. So we can assume he died. (1841 Census. The ages in the 1841 census were rounded.)

Jan. to Mar. 1843: Ann died. There is an Ann Moore on the Bolton FreeBMD Death Indexes. She is the only one listed from 1841 to 1851. She is not on the 1851 census.

The Mysterious William Moore: Who He Was Not

(This is a picture of Little Scotland near Blackrod taken in May, 2009. It was the area where William and Richard Moore lived around 1840. It looks like a nice area today! I bet it did not look like this in 1840!)

Now for a little speculation.

In the last post I stated that the earliest Moore that I know about was a William Moore who lived in Blackrod, England about 1814 and had a son named Richard. I got this information Basically from Richard’s marriage certificate and the 1851 census.

There is no William Moore in the 1841 Blackrod census that would be the age of Richard’s father, William Moore. I, personally, went over every page of that census for Blackrod. Therefore, it may be assumed, but not proven beyond a reasonable doubt, that William died prior to Richard’s marriage in 1840. There may be other explanations such as he moved away or he was missed by the census taker. I believe the best explanation is that he died before 1841. (1841 census found at ancestry.com. William Moore is not listed.)

My Wigan contact, Leo Turner, informed me there is a death of a William Moore listed in the FreeBMD web site. (This is a site that lists an index of English births, marriages and deaths beginning in September 1837. Its address is http://freebmd.org.uk) It states a William Moore in the Bolton District which is near Blackrod died in the first quarter of 1841. (Vol. 21 page 63).This could be the correct William. If so, it substantiates the hypothesis that William died before 1841. I believe that this is a good possibility although not proven.

How did he die? We have no record of his death. However, if he did indeed die young say before the age of 40, he probably died in a mining accident or more likely a disease brought on by poverty and/or working in the coal mines. But who knows?

If William Moore was about 20 when he had Richard in about 1814, that would make his birthday somewhere around 1794. On the 1841 and 1851 censuses from Blackrod there is a John Moore born about 1800 (Since the ages are rounded in the 1841 census I used the 1851 census to get a more accurate date.) In 1851 John Moore lived down the street from Richard. Many of the names in the two families are the same. Could John be Richard’s uncle or brother? I cannot prove it, but I believe this true.

False Leads

There is a William Moore that lives in area of Bolton called Edgworth. He is the right age. However in 1841 he was living with his son named Richard. The Richard Moore in our line was already married 1840. So unless this William had two sons with the same name, he is not the correct William Moore. Leo Turner wrote me agreeing that this is probably not the correct William Moore. (Sources: 1841 Blackrod census and the marriage registration of Richard Moore.)

There was William Moore of Aberdeen, Blackrod who died on Nov. 15, 1874. He was a sinker (a skilled laborer who drilled new shafts) in a colliery. His effects were less than 1000 pounds. The will was proved in Manchester by Jane Stock his sister and the wife of Thomas Stock who was as a shopkeeper in Aberdeen (an area next to Blackrod). (This information was found at ancestry.com at the England and Wales National Probate Center Index of Wills and Administration: 1961 to 1974.) I believe that this William and sister Jane were the children of John Moore. They maybe are William Moore’s nephew and niece. But,again, who knows?

The town of Goldbourne in Lancaster County had a city directory in 1861. It lists a William Moore as a reverend. I doubt this is the correct William Moore because the Moore’s were devout Roman Catholics. I listed it here because Goldbourne is the town where Richard’s wife Faith was born.

Also the town of Aspull which is next to Blackrod has a William Moore listed in their city directory in 1869. This William Moore is a shopkeeper and a farmer. I believe may be the son of John Moore.

(The directories can be found at the www.wiganworld.com web site. Goldboune; http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/stuff/towndgolb.php?opt=townd1869) and Aspull: http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/stuff/towndaspull.php?opt=townd1869)

Who were William Moore’s wife and children, other than Richard Moore, and when and how he died will be a mystery for a while longer. That is until someone breaks through this brick wall.

@copyright 2011 Paul F Moore

The First Known Moore: William Around 1790

The earliest Moore that I know about is a fellow by the name of William Moore who lived in Blackrod, Lancashire, England around 1816. The only reason we know about him is that he is listed on his son's, Richard Moore's', marriage registration on 06 July 1840. Without this one document I doubt anyone would know of his existence on this earth 200 years after his life. Richard is my gg grandfather. That would make William Moore my ggg grandfather. Better yet. William Moore is my grandson's ggggg grandfather.

That one marriage certificate of Richard Moore's gives us some clues about his father, William. The certificate lists William as a collier (worked for a coal mine). He is clearly listed as Richard's father. The registration lists Richard's age to be 24. That would make his year of birth around 1816. We can add that Richard was born in Blackrod, England from the 1861 census. We can probably assume that William was in Blackrod at or near the time of his son's birth.

Therefore we know this about he earliest know Moore in our line. He was probably born between 1775 and 1798. If he was a young father, around 18, he would have been born closer to the 1798 date. If he was an older father around 40 he would have been born around 1776. He lived in Blackrod, England in or about 1816. He worked as a collier in a coal mine. That is it. That is all we know for sure about William Moore.

I have not found any census data for William in 1841. You would think he would be listed in that census but he is not. All the William Moores that are on the census are too young. I have looked through every page of that census and found no William. Perhaps he died before the census. (A contact of mine in Wigan England, Leo Turner, wrote me stating he found a William Moore that died in Bolton, (a nearby town) in the beginning of 1841. This might be the second document on William Moore.

The correct name for Blackrod is Blackrod Le Moors, Lancashire, England. Could this name be the origin of our last name, Moore?

DNA: A Clue to The Moore's Ancient Beginnings

Let's begin with my father's line, the Moore's of Wigan, England and Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada.

A few years ago I had my DNA tested. The test I took analyzed the DNA I received from my father, who got it from his father, who got it from his father and so on. It just measures the male direct line. That means the test is very narrow in scope. The test covers only about six known men out a family tree that may contain over 1000 names. Of course it also analyzes the DNA of hundreds of unknown males in our direct line dating back 1000's of years.

From this test it turns out the Moore's in our line are from a group called the I haplogroup. Narrowed down even futher within that group we are M170 and/or M258.

From this information we can begin the Moore family history. It seems that the first ancient Moores left Africa thousands of years ago. They migrated to the Middle East in what is now the area where Iraq is today. At that time the distant ancestors of the Moore's were in the F haplogroup. However, in Iraq our genes mutated into the I halpogroup with certain markers. It is here we acquired the M170 marker which is unique. That happened around 25,000 years ago. (As far as I can tell there has been only been one Moore to that has returned to the Iraq homeland. That would be my son who was stationed in Iraq while he was in the army.)

From Iraq the ancient Moore's migrated into Europe. They settled in the Balkins near the present day country of Croatia. It is there today we find the highest percentage of people that have the I haplogroup.

But the ancient Moore's were not done with their migrations. They left the Balkins and moved northward into Scandinavia and north Germany. The I haplogroup is found in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. This happened at the end of the ice age about 10,000 or more years ago.

Britain is where the modern Moore's originated. In Britain there is a relatively low percentage of of the population that has the I haplogroup, but there are some people with the I haplogroup like the Moore's of Wigan, England. It is possible if not probable the Moore's received their DNA from Vikings (Norsemen) who came to that part of England prior to 1000 CE. To add credence to this theory, there are a number of place names in Wigan that have Viking origins.

I also had a second hypothsis on how we ended up with our I haplogroup DNA. It is my own hypothsis, so it is proabaly not good as the Viking hypothesis. I saw a map of Europe showing where people with the I haplogorup live today. There were many hits in Germany around and to the north of the rhine. I thought perhaps the Saxons may have lived in this area of Germany and migrated to the Wigan area around the 5th century CE. Wigan was home to the Saxons.

Maybe we received our DNA from both the Saxons and theVikings!

The information for this blog came from the DNA testing company I used at http://www.genebase.com/.



Copyright 2011 Paul F Moore