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After the death of Catherine's father she along with her sister were put into a girls refuge in Barley-lane, Blackburn, until the Blackburn orphanage was opened. On the day of the opening of the orphanage Catherine, Mary Ann were the first girls to be enrolled and and John Thomas was the second boy.

Catherine (Katie) was born in 1879 in Blackburn, Lancashire, and was a bright happy intelligent child according to the documents I have recieved from the Wilpshire Orphanage was a very cheerful young lady. On the Medical Certificate it states Catherine was free of all physical deformity and mental powers, has no skin diseases, perfect sight and hearing, never suffered from fits, so Catherine would qualify for the orphan home.

 

THIS IS THE DIARY OF THE BLACKBURN ORPHANAGE FOR CATHERINE

 

  • 7th Feb 1894, Katie goes today as a domestic servant to Mrs Peters, 44 Sheer Brow, Blackburn.

  • 22nd March 1894, Katie leaves Mrs Peters today and goes as a domestic servant to Rev. S. Caldwell, 18 Blackburn-road Clayton-le-moors.

  • 13th June 1894, Katie and her mistress called at the orphanage today, she says she likes her place and her mistress says she is well satisfied with Katie.

  • 30th Sep 1895, Katie, after staying at the orphanage for a few days goes today to a new place with better wages as a servant with Mrs Harvey, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-moor.

  • 23 May 1896, Katie called at the orphanage today and says she still likes her place very well. December 1897, Katie goes to learn dressmaking and lives at 2 Simmon-street, Blackburn.

  • 21 June 1898, Katie goes into service today with Mrs. Mitchell, Walpshire.

  • 27 July 1898, Katie leaves Mrs. Mitchell today and goes into service with Mrs. Taylor, Harowden Terrace, Penzance-Street, Mill Hill.

  • Nov, Katie now with Mrs, Eccles, Wheelton in Withnell.

  • Jun, 1900, Katie now married to Mr. Sullivan, and living at Cook-row, Wheelton, near Chorley. [Edward Sullivan, brother of Mary Ann Sullivan who married George Crook who is the brother of Catherine.]

  • 1901, Katie now lives at 11 Salisbury-road, Brinscall. [Brinscall is a village in the borough of Chorley.]

In 1901 Katie and Edward had their first child May born in Wheelton, Lancashire.

In 1903 Edith was born in Wheelton, Lancashire.

In 1904 a daughter Margaret came along born once again in Wheelton, Lancashire.

Then finally a son was born in March of 1911 named James Edward, born in Brinscall, Lancashire.

    CATHERINE CROOK

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