Knottingley and Ferrybridge 
Genealogy Message Board 
Archive Two
February 2003 to January 2004

Rainsforth

I have traced my great grandfather back to Knottingley.  He was called John Rainsforth, born in 1843 and I wish to confirm that his father was a Joseph Rainsforth who, I noted in your Ropewalk Methodist Church notes, was a church member in 1839.

I plan to spend a day in Knottingley soon and I hope to find as much information as I can about the family.  I live in Norway which makes it difficult to find family history records.

An suggestions or information would be most welcome

Peter John Rainsforth 
Ask, 5307 Askøy, Norway
peterj.rainsforth@c2i.net 
25 January 2004

Thompson

According to my family records and recollections, Joseph Goodyear was born 2 April 1845 in Knottingley.  He was the son of John William Goodyear and a Miss 'Thompson' - given name unknown.  I would appreciate assistance in identifying Miss Thompson and obtaining any information about her.

Miss Thompson did have at least one sibling, a sister named Mary

It is not known if Miss Thompson and John William Goodyear had other children other than Joseph Goodyear.

Joseph Goodyear was a sailor and it is believed that he jumped ship around 1865 and entered the USA, settling in Orange where he worked as a ship's carpenter until his death in 1934.

Please express my thanks to all responsible for the very interesting website about Knottingley.

Gerald W. Block
Vidor, Texas 77662 
gwblock@gt.rr.com 
17 January 2004

Hobman

I have a Sarah Hobman in my family tree, who was born around 1818 and married a William Heald around 1837. They lived in Knottingley (118 England Lane - 1851 census) and had 13 children (one of them being Sarah Hannah Heald b.1851 who was my 3 x great grandmother and married Tom Addy in 1874). I have my Addy family tree posted on your website. I also have a Susannah Hobman in my tree who married William Thomas Addy in 1903 - I have yet to
connect both Sarah & Susannah Hobman.

Is anyone able to help with Sarah Hobman's birth/christening or marriage dates? I have
been unable to locate them elsewhere as yet.

Michelle Procter 
genebuff@hotmail.com 
10 January 2004 

Gaggs

I found the Knottingley and Ferrybridge website when I was researching my family history.  It was very informative.

I would appreciate getting any information anyone may have of the Gaggs family

I live in California now (since 1958) though most of my fathers family live in Blackpool, Lancs.

Bryan Geoffrey Gaggs 
bgaggs@loxinfo.co.th 
7 January 2004

Saul

I am researching the Saul family history from Knottingley.  I know that my family owned a greengrocers in Aire Street. I have traced them back from my grandfather, Sydney Saul son of Walter Saul who in turn was the son of Charles Saul, who I know was a cab proprietor.  I can go back to the marriage of Michael Saul and Winifred Blyde at Tanshelf Catholic Church at the turn of the 19th Century.

I have found Winifred registered in a trade directory around 1820 as the proprietor of the greengrocers.  I can find no trace of the family prior to the date of their marriage.  I understand that my Great Grandfather, Walter, was very well known in the area.  He sadly died at a relatively young age following the First World War.

I would be very grateful for any information anyone could offer.

Ruth Edwards 
RE28365@aol.com 
22 October 2003

Spence

As an Australian it is difficult to access information held outside the country. In that regard I have been able to trace all my forefathers born in Australia but have hit a brick wall.  The most information I have is as follows:  

William Spence was born in Ballarat East, Australia on 18 November, 1861. His birth certificate lists his father as being John Spence aged 29, miner, born Knottingley, Yorkshire, England.  John married Mary Dillon (born Market-on-Fergus, Clare, Ireland) in August 1858 at Ballarat, Mary was 30 when William was born.

Any help would be appreciated, we don't even know how/when John arrived in Australia.

Michael Spence
Melbourne, Australia 
Michael.Spence@dtz.com.au 
9 October 2003

Hargrave / Hargraves

I am writing in response to Andrew Hargraves request for information into the Hargrave / Hargraves family names back in April 2003.  I too am into genealogy and a Hargraves by birth.  Although I may not be able to help him with the name of Isaac Hargraves, I may be able to help him with other information, or he may be able to help with tracing my G G G Father, Samuel Hargraves.

I have been unable to contact Andrew by the e-mail address he stated in his request so hopefully he will see this message and respond to me.

Margaret Bukowska (nee Hargraves) 
maggie.b@dsl.pipex.com 
23 August 2003

Johnson

I would like to make contact with a cousin of mine, Trevor Johnson, along with another cousin, Keith.  Their mothers Rene and Nellie were cousins of my mother Winifred Mary Haram (nee Wade).  Their grandmother Charlotte Barker (nee Ball) was the sister of our grandmother Mary Jane Emmerson McNally (married twice - first married name was Wade) (nee. Ball)

My brother Peter, sister Pam and myself, Jean, used to stay at Aunt Emma and Aunt Nellie's, next door to Aunt Lottie and Uncle Tom, in Woodhall Buildings, Foundry Lane at the end of the war/1940's

I am researching all my family history and the Ball/Emerson and related lines at Flamborough/Hull would of course be theirs too.  Also, perhaps they could answer a few questions for me that perhaps Aunt Lottie has told them.

Jean Oldaker (nee. Haram)
Evesham 
spanielsminilop@aol.com 
24 August 2003

Bennett

I am interested in the descendants of John Bennett, a tailor in Ferrybridge according to the 1841 census.  He and his wife Ann had eleven children in the area ranging from 1814 to 1836.

I would love to hear from anyone with an interest in this family.

Brian Ellis 
band.mereside@tiscali.co.uk 
27 August 2003

Greenwood

In January 2002 you published a request from Ian Lloyd for information on several surnames with Knottingley connections.  I have attempted to Email Ian at the supplied email address without success and wondered if you would publish my response.

My great-grandfather was William Arnold Greenwood born Womersley 1842.  He was
a boy sailor on the Rosebud sailing out of Goole when he was 15years.  In 1881 he was Master Mariner of the Dolly Varden, Newcastle on Tyne.  In 1901 he was second mate with the SS Cumberland.

His father William Arnold Greenwood married Ann Arnold of Womersley. During his time in Newcastle, William married a local girl called Elizabeth Luckley. 

I have more of the same information if there is any family connection.

Maurice Haigh 
MauriceHaigh@aol.com 
31 July 2003 

Addy

I have now managed to trace my Addy family back to a Thomas Addy, born Knottingley, 1822 who married Sarah Holmes born Knottingley 1827.  I believe Thomas's father was Richard Addy but have yet to verify dates of birth.

If anyone has any information on this family I would be pleased to hear from them.

Michelle Procter 
michelle.procter@talk21.com 
9 July 2003

Simpson

I am interested in the Simpson family.  I know that they lived at Kershaw Farm, Knottingley in 1901.  The head of the family was Jackson Simpson and he was 55 at that time.  He was born in Collingham, Notts. His wife Eliza was 47 and she was born in Lincol Norton, I don't know her maiden name.  

They had six children living at home at the 1901 census; Charlotte A, William J, Harry, Fanny, George W, and Ethel.  They also had another daughter Annie Eliza but she was in service somewhere.

Any information would be gratefully received.

Janice Wood 
Kaljan@ntlworld.com 
9 July 2003

Bradley / James

I am searching for any information on the Bradley and James family who are recorded as living in Ferryfryston, Ferrybridge at the time of the 1861 census.

Eliza Kehoe 
eliza@merseymail.com 
25 June 2003

John (Jack) Proud

I am in the process of tracing my ancestors (who isn't these days!)

I believe my grandfather John Edward Proud, known as Jack, lived in Knottingley possibly from the mid-fifties onwards.  He died at 18 Low Green, Knottingley on 28th January 1992.

Jack was born in Douglas, Isle of Man in 1910.  His occupation on his death certificate is Colliery Banksman (retired).  According to a nephew I have recently contacted, Jack spent a lot of time in the local miners club and was very good at pool.  It would appear this was his second home and he would help out at the club.  I don't know which club or where it is.

Can anyone provide me with more information?

Alison Walters 
aliwalters@tiscali.co.uk 
23 June 2003

Ellerington

I am tracing my family history and would appreciate any information about the Ellerington family that lived in the Knottingley area.

Charles and wife Anne (died around 1945), had sons Jack, Ted, James, Alf, Tom and Charlie. Please e-mail any information to me in Canada.

Glynis Ellerington 
Horbury, West Yorkshire (now living in Canada)
Ellerington.Glynis@tbs-sct.gc.ca 
9 June 2003

Waddington

Does anyone know if there is a history of the Tollhouse at Ferrybridge? My great grandfather Joseph Waddington was the toll-keeper and lived in the Tollhouse for at least twenty-five years – (1861 and 1881 census). His youngest child my grandfather Thomas was born at Ferrybridge in 1857, and I am anxious to obtain information about his early life – for instance where he might have gone to school. Can anyone tell me who are the present occupiers of the Tollhouse?

D Waddington 
dwaddington@btopenworld.com 
3 June 2003

Addy

Gypsy Families from Knottingley

Rev. John F. White

Robinson / Crossland

Horn Family

Kitson / Kidson

Hargrave / Hargraves

Knottingley and surrounding areas

Gill

Joseph & Elizabeth Dunn (nee Sargent)

Dunwell