JUDITH​ HOLMAN-CROOK

GENERATION ONE

 

  WILLIAM CROOK and CATHERINE HOWELL

 

William was born in Samlesbury, Lancashire, in about 1822, and died in the April of 1857 in Blackburn, Lancashire. He and Catherine Howell married in Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales in April 1845. Catherine was from Burmington, Yorkshire. She was born in about 1822 and died in about 1890. I have no details as yet on either of their parents.

 

Together had six children, they are George, Catharine, Alice, John Thomas, John William & James Henry.

 

In 1841, I found both William and Catherine in the Census and William was a cotton weaver.

 

in 1851 I found William and Catherine again this time William was a overlocker in a cotton mill. and Catherine was working as a housekeeper and living in 16 Quarry Street, Blackburn, with all four children George 6, scholar, Catherine 4, scholar, Alice 2, and John Thomas, 3 months.

 

By the time of William's death in 1857 two more son's John William and James Henry had been born, and one child John Thomas. had died and Catherine had been left on her own to bring up her five children.

 

George1,  born 1847, Blackburn, Lancashire, died1890 and buried St Thomas's Parish Church, Radcliffe, in the County of Lancaster, 8 Sep 1890, age 45. George married Mary Ann Crook 9 Jul 1870 Blackburn, St Peter, Lancashire, they had eight children they are James, George, Catherine, Mary Ann, Lizzie, John Thomas, Jane Alice and baby.

 

Catharine, born 1847, Blackburn, Lancashire, in 1851 she lived in 16 Quarry Street, Blackburn.

 

Alice, born 1849, Blackburn, Lancashire, in 1851 she lived in 16 Quarry Street, Blackburn.

 

John Thomas, born 31 Dec 1850, Blackburn, Lancashire, died bef 1854, Blackburn, Lancashire, in 1851 he lived in 16 Quarry Street, Blackburn, Lancashire,

 

John William, born 1854,  Blackburn, Lancashire, in 1861 he lived in 29 Cleaver Street, Blackburn,

 

James Henry, born 1855, Blackburn, Lancashire, in 1861 he lived in 29 Cleaver Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, England.

 

GENERATION TWO

 

GEORGE CROOK & MARY ANN CROOK

 

Child one: I have no name and very little information on child one except he was born in 1873, Blackburn, Lancashire.  But this child was about 17-18 when his last parent had passed away. It is documented that he came from a loving family. This child become a responsible adult who married and had children and took on the responsibility to see that his younger siblings were safe and well. [I am still researching this child and will update when I have more information]

 

Child two: George1. Born 1874, Heywood, Blackburn, Lancashire. This is Howard's Grandfather. George also grew up in poverty and at the age he signed up in the army. He ended up in South Africa fighting in the siege of Ladysmith in the Manchester Regiment number 3959. He was 19 years. In 1903 George married Mary Ann Sullivan. They had eight children.

 

Child Three: Catherine: Catherine was a strong girl who turned out a very strong lady. She had to be, she had a very hard life in front of her. She had a very hard life behind her but she had her family to support and love her then.

 

Child Four: Mary Ann has a similar story to tell as Catherine but she wasn't as strong as her sister. She didn't get on with her life and over the massive hurdles life threw at her. During her life at the orphanage she had 8 placings for employment. Mary Ann didn't stay for long in each one unlike her sister Catherine. It could have been that her sister was that little bit older when they went into the orphanage or their different outlook on life. I will continue to research Mary Ann to find out what happened to her. Did she marry and have a family as her sister did?

 

• 16 Oct 1895  Mary Crook having passed her standard at school and being one 14 years of age was provided with an outfit today and placed in a situation with Mrs Duckworth confectioner, Barnes-street, Clayton-le-moors.

 

•  16 Oct 1895  left the Orphanage to work at the confectioner Mrs Duckworth at Barnes-street, Clayton-le-moors.

 

• 17 Oct 1895  Mary Crook was bought back to the orphanage on account of her health.

 

• 25 Mar 1896  Mary went today to work for a few weeks for Dr Robinson Preston, New Row, Blackburn.

 

• 19 May 1896 Mary returned from Dr Robinson to orphanage today.

 

• 21 May 1896  Mary placed in a situation with Mrs Airey, 131 Park-view, Rishton, where she stays for about two months, then goes to live with her sister.

 

• 14 Oct 1896  Mary goes into service as a nurse girl with Mr. Howell, dentist, Lark-hill, Blackburn.

 

•     Nov 1897  Mary goes to live with Miss O'Hara, Alma-street, Blackburn.

 

•     Feb 1898  Mary goes into service with Miss Ormerod, 1 Princess-street, Tyldesley Road, Blackpool.

 

•     May 1898  Mary leaves Blackpool and goes to live with Mrs Smally, 39 Charlotte-street, Blackburn.

 

•     Jan 1902  Mary now in service at Rose cottage, Wheelton.

 

 

Child Five: Elizabeth (Lizzie), once again Elizabeth had her problems quite different that her sisters but serious in that day and age. Elizabeth was a happy child and she even in her adult years she was known for her laughter and happiness.

 

Child Six: John Thomas born 1885, Blackburn, his story is one of the saddest I have come across. From the poorest of families but plenty of love to the workhouse to the battlefields of France. John Thomas had seen it all. His story will be on another page.

 

Child Seven: Jane Alice born 1887, Blackburn. Not a lot is known of Jane Alice except Howard visited her when he was seven or eight of age when he was taken to visit her. She lived across the road in Ewood Park the current ground of the Blackburn Rovers FC. Known to me as his dads Aunt. The last Howard heard of her was as an elderly lady, she lived and passed away in a nursing home in Southport just a few miles from Blackburn.