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Welcome to Old Ilkeston, compiled by Dave Johnson (helped by many other contributors)

Do you have any questions or comments about the website or it’s content?

I will be more than happy to try to answer any question you might have or respond to any comment. .

Please scroll down to the bottom of this page where you will see the place to leave your contribution.

There are places I remember all my life ... ... the crossroads of North Street and Station Road, a stone's throw from the site of my first home, where -- in the pre-Chalons Way Era -- stood the Erewash Hotel, Starr and Brookes carpet shop, Wright's the gent's barber, and Wards the butchers who supplied the Tuesday tea of shop-made faggots for most in the neighbourhood. ... Little Dustpan, which I walked up and down on my way to and from Chaucer Infants' school, and then the Junior school, to hear the wise words of Ma Gormley and Mr Bateman, Polly Virgo and Jack Syson. ... the sardine tin that was Doug's Coffee Bar standing in the corner of the Market Place, next to the Church Institute where my mates and I would meet to listen to Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly, Beatles and Kinks, Yardbirds and Fleetwood Mac (Mark 1), Dylan and Byrds, after a hard day's graft at the Grammar School (Mark 3) listening in a different way to Gibbo and Kenny Bettle, Ma Selby and Mr Shaw, Derek Akers and Dilys Gough, Max Payne et al. ... the old Buffalo Head pub in Durham City where I spent my first of several visits preparing for a next-day admissions interview (successful) at the University up the road. ... the Student Refectory at Nottingham University where the food prices were too high and the queues too long so that between lectures the pinball machine was cheaper and more attractive than eating. .. and despite it all, my formal education did provide me with some academic success to allow me many years of dishing it out to others.
  1. Helen Reply

    Hi I am trying to find a grave in ilkeston Park Cemetery, buried in 1927. Could you help please?

  2. Racheal Watmore Reply

    Roland Beardsley 16.12.1905

    Hi Dave,
    Roland was my grandfather. I can’t find a birth certificate for him at all so wondering if he was born with a different surname. I did hear rumour that he could have taken another man’s surname when his mother remarried. Because I have no birth certificate I have no parental details.

    I read one of your replies on here saying that you had more details on the Beardsleys. I wonder if you hold the answer to my question.

    Thanks, Racheal

  3. Dave Reply

    Thomas Calladine (c 1819-1878)

    Angie has asked … I am wondering if anyone can help me with tracing my 4 x great grandad Thomas Calladine born 1818/19. I can’t find a birth record for Thomas so am unable to confirm his mother’s name. I know his Father is John. There seems to be three possible options, Elisabeth, Lydia or Hannah. If anyone can help that would be great. (Feb 11th 2022)

    Dave replied …
    I have made a few suggestions … I am assuming that this is Thomas who was a confectioner on Bath Street and married Hannah Henshaw on August 14th 1839.
    His father John married Hannah Mitchell on Aug 22nd 1822, but he was a widower.
    His first daughter with Hannah was named Augustine … born May 24th 1823 … this , I believe, was because his first wife was Augustine Delhay (? Irish?) who died in Ilkeston in December 1821.
    It seems that Thomas and his brother Lewis (born October 21st 1820 in Ilkeston) were sons of John and Augustine therefore.Thomas was born in either Ireland or Scotland, while John was in the army … the 1861 census shows John as a Chelsea pensioner.
    I suggest that he married Augstine/Augusta while in Ireland ? So the records of the marriage and possibly the birth of Thomas lie either in army or Irish records?

    ….. but maybe someone has better or more definite information or ideas ?

  4. JUNE WINTR Reply

    LOOKING FOR THE MITCHELL FAMILY HENRY PERCY MITCHELL SARHA MARIE HORRIDGE HENSHAW ELISA ALSO MOON FAMILY JOHN MOON

    June,
    Thank you for the email. I have dug out a few facts about this familyHenry Percy Mitchell was born in 1866, the son of John and Eliza (nee Henshaw)) in Cotmanhay. He lived at Bridge St (1871), at Mount Pleasant (1881), at Wheatley Row, (1891), at Cotmanhay Road (1901) and at Nottingham Road in Derby (1911). He died in 1931 at Melbourne I believeHe married Alice Hannah Fearn, the daughter of James and Hannah (nee Clower) in 1889. She was born in 1872.They Had one son called Henry Percy, born in 1889. Then Alice Hannah died in 1897.Henry Percy then married again, to Sarah Maria Horridge on October 1st 1904 at Christ Church, Cotmanhay. She was the daughter of David and Harriet (nee Richards) of Horridge Street in Cotmanhay and was a widow, having been married to John Moon. Sarah Maria Mitchell died in 1945 at Melbourne I believe.Sarah Maria married her first husband John Thomas Moon in 1893 at Babbington Chapel near Awsworth — by that time she had had two illegitimate daughters, Emily Horridge (born 1889, died 1890) and Annie (born and died in 1892), both at Wheatley Row. With John Moon she had three children, — Priscilla (born 1893), John Albert (born and died in 1896), and John (born 1899)Eliza Henshaw was the mother of Henry Percy Mitchell. She married John Mitchell at Babbington Chapel in 1865. Her husband John died in 1906 and she died in 1930.Eliza was the daughter of Joseph Henshaw and Mary (nee Levers) and lived most of her life in various parts of Cotmanay.
    I hope this helps with your questions. If you want to ask anything else, please feel free to do so.

  5. Colin Gough Reply

    Hello,
    My grandfather’s step-brother Charles Bruno Gough died in 1930. He ran a Butcher’s business at 41 Lord Haddon Rd and then at 141 Station Rd – a shop graced with a Bull’s Head. His wife was Ethel and they had four children living (according to 1911) and his wife had two children by an earlier marriage. He was Roman Catholic. Anything else known please?

  6. Gill Young Reply

    Hi
    Another query about the Straw family. I have a John Straw born 1705 in Ilkeston who married Anne Wheatley born 1707. When researching it is suggesting that his parents are William Straw and Dorothy Skevington but I have looked online at original parish records and can only find John Straw born June 17 1705 son of George and Sarah Straw. On the same page there is a Thomas Straw son of William and Dorothy Straw. Do you know anything about them? Have this family always lived in this area?
    Thanks

    Gill.
    … continuing the Straws of Ilkeston…
    I recognise John Straw who married Anne Wheatley in April 1734, though I don’t know why you claim he was born in 1705 or that his parents might be William and Dorothy (Skevington) ? You might have evidence for this which I am unaware of ?
    William Straw junior married Dorothy Skevington in January 1725 and they had only one child, Thomas, before Dorothy died on Dec 29 1727.
    William’s father, William senior, also married a Dorothy, and they had at least 7 children, their first (?) being John, born in 1695 (He seems to have married Ann Addkin in 1719). Dorothy, wife of William senior, died in December 1721.
    The ‘John Straw born in June 1705′ of George and Sarah’ ? …. I believe that this is John SHAW not Straw, … George and Sarah (surname inclear) married on April 14th 1705. They had a few other children before George died in 1728 and his widow Sarah in 1747.
    The Straws appear in Ilkeston parish registers in the first part of the 17th century but not before then … There are some in Little Hallam and Awsworth, nearby, and possibly Kirk Hallam, before then.
    Best wishes
    Dave

  7. Gill Young Reply

    Hi
    I’m researching my 4 x great grandfather Samuel Straw born 1796 Ilkeston. I’m confused about how many children he had and did Sarah Rowland have children before they married. Have you any information about this family. Thanks

    Gill,
    Thank you for the email concerning the family of Samuel Straw (bap April 3rd 1796 – November 8th 1872)
    My understanding is that his wife Sarah Rowland had an illegitimate son, born Mar 3rd 1813, called Aaron Rowland alias Straw or Rowland Straw (who died in 1895)
    Then Samuel and Sarah married and had at least 9 other children — Alfred (1819), William Rowland (1820), Harriott (1823). George (1825), Sarah Ann (1826), Caroline (1828), Samuel (1831), Charles (1832), and Julia (1833).

  8. Debbie Wright Reply

    Hi, I am trying to find my great great grandfathers family with the surname Gregory. His name was Frederick and according to the 1901 and 1911 census he was born in 1876 Ilkeston. The 1901 census shows his 2 brothers living with him, Henry and Samuel. I can’t find anything about them previous to the 1901 census ie parents and birth records. Frederick was a master builder and built the houses on Cotmanhay Road opposite the Dukeries. Can you help!
    Thanks
    Debbie

    Debbie
    Thanks for your email and I think I can help.
    This is a common problem derived from illegitimate children.
    I will give you a few clues because you might want to research on your own.
    If you look at the Ilkeston Birth Registrations for 1876 on the Old Ilkeston site, you will find Frederick’s birth listed and the names of his parents. (Fred was born on January 26th in Grass Lane)
    Before 1901 he had the surname ‘Tatler alias Gregory’ because that was the surname of his father who was a son of John Tatler alias Gregory who was the illegitimate son of Elizabeth Gregory. When she married James Tatler, that is when the surnames became intermingled.
    So look for Tatlers if you can’t find Gregorys … and they seem to have come from Breaston too.
    I hope this helps but if you want more information, please ask
    Best wishes
    Dave
    PS His surname might be mistranscribed as Tatter or something similar, so beware !!

    • Debbie Wright Reply

      Thank you so much, really appreciate your help
      best wishes
      Debbie

  9. Dave Reply

    The Knighton and Beacroft families … from Jan Wasley
    I was born and grew up in Ilkeston but left when I was 26 in 1962..
    I have many fond memories of Ilkeston and still have friends and acquaintances there that you may know. Among them are Garth Newton of Ilkcam game and Joe Cahill. Danny Corns who died last year was a boyhood friend, who also later served as apprentice to my Dad, Bill Wasley at Stanton.
    Ironically, although my parents moved from Nottingham to Ilkeston when they got married in 1934, so most of my relatives (that I knew of) were around Nottingham. However, my paternal Grandmother had been born in Shipley/Cotmanhay in 1872 to quite a large family. Her birth name was Matilda Knighting and I noticed a ‘”KnightonFamily” on your site. Ironically, in the photograph that accompanies the Knightuon Photo, one lady is identified as being married to someone called Beecroft! Now, I remember that we had some relatives in Ilkeston called Beecroft/Beecroft. although I don’t know whether they were cousins of my Dad or Granny. One was a man called Ferdinand Beecroft, who was Managing Director of the Coalmine on the Jeanie Rd ( Shipley or Crosswalk?) And I only met him once. The other family was Arthur and Edith Beecroft and they lived on Heanor Rd just where (I think) Cotmanhay Rd comes up to meet Heanor Rd. They must have been reasonably well off as they had a car in the 1940’s! I also remember going to Simpson’s Sweet shop and meeting my relative Mabel, who worked in Simpson’s Sweet shop .for many years. Looking at genealogy sites I can trace my Ilkeston “Knighton” forebears back to the 1600’s.but of course just know names and dates. I would love to know more about them and who knows, perhaps I still have living ‘unknown’ relatives still living in dear ole Ilsun. Any information you or your site members can provide would be much appreciated.
    Best regards
    Jan Wasley

  10. Sally Kent Reply

    The York Family in Ilkeston
    Hi Dave
    How have I not found your website before? It’s wonderful and has filled in a few gaps I have in my Yorke line. https://www.oldilkeston.co.uk/the-house-of-york/
    Joseph Yorke (Old Yorke) married to Ann Dove were my 3rd great grandparents. His son David b 20 Oct 1843 is not mentioned! My great, great grandfather. Born between Joseph and Charles, he is with them all on the 1851 census in Hucknall.
    In 1859 he joined the army and was posted to India (a serjeant (sic) in the 107th Foot), where he married (14 Oct 1872 Dum Dum, Bengal, India) Elizabeth Caroline Pearce the 14 year old daughter of Robert Pearce, a private in the 107th foot, who had died 6 years earlier of smallpox, almost as soon as he arrived in India.
    They returned to England on 31st Dec 1875 and finally settled in Chichester. He was now a colour sergeant. They had 14 children, the eldest being Charles Yorke, my great grandfather.

    Sally Kent (Nee Yorke)

    Sally,
    So sorry that I didn’t even mention David, even though I did see him on the 1851 census … never thought to look in the army.
    And thanks so much for passing on your information. I will shortly include it on the site, with more than a passing reference to you !!
    I am always on the look out !!
    Best wishes
    Dave

  11. Alan Reply

    The Toplis family in Ilkeston

    Thanks Dave.
    It looks like its not the same William Toplis I’m looking for but the great grandfather of Percy Toplis was born in Ilkeston. I’m in touch with Percy’s family (still around the South Normanton area) and have a definite family line. They finally managed to get a definite location of his grave in Penrith recently.The family trail just gets a little blurry when we hit Percy’s great grandfather Elijah Toplis (born c.1818) and his parents in Ilkeston. I have the info if interested. Percy’s father Herbert was born in Basford, Notts to Herbert Toplis(s) (B.1847). Elijah can be found in the 1851 census at Bagnall, Basford. A coal labourer with his wife Mary Ann. Elijah puts his place of birth in Ilkeston. The family lived in Basford for years before moving to Blackwell – briefly to Chesterfield – and then back to Blackwell. We recently found that Percy’s father Herbert died in Ashover near Wingerworth (where I used to live). Not sure why his death was registered in Ashover as he was living near Mansfield at the time. Thanks for the input into William.

    Alan
    Thanks for this extensive reply and the Toplis information … I have put it together with what I have … see what you think (you may have all this already)
    Elijah was born on Dec 24th 1817 at Ilkeston, the son of William and Mary (Burnett/Burnit). He had several siblings, including Patience (1805), George (1807), William (1809), Pamela (1813), and Eliza (1823). Elijah married Mary Ann Webster in 1842 at Nuthall Parish Church. (he is on the 1841 census at Nuttall (sic) as an agricultural labourer). His father William died in Ilkeston on Sep 7 1839, aged 56, and was buried at St Mary’s Church there, three days later.
    Thanks again for keeping me in touch.
    Dave

  12. Mrs Marie Diana Draper Reply

    Bostocks and Henshaws
    Hi old ilkeston
    Over the past few months I have returned to my family history after quite a few years and have found your site invaluable in my research.
    I have been researching a branch of my family tree, Henshaw, and found a possible connection with Bostock family, William Bostock married Sarah Henshaw. I have become quite obsessed with finding out more about them, straying from my real task of tracing a William and Grace Henshaw. With the help of all your research on your site and have found lots of information and visited Stanton Road nonconformist grave yard.
    May I take this opportunity, once again to thank everyone on your site for their work, on, not only the baptisms, marriages and death records, but also additional information on Ilkeston families, and so adding an insight on how they lived.

    Marie Diana,
    What a lovely email from you … it is most appreciated. It is so encouraging to receive notes like this from readers, who are most of the time so ‘distant and remote’ … it shows me that at least one person is finding the site useful.
    Unfortunately you have two really troublesome and common Ilkeston surnames in your tree … you only need a ‘Straw’ for a full house !!
    The best of luck and if I can be of any help …..?
    Best wishes,
    Dave

  13. susan france Reply

    Smith’s / Wright family
    researching this side of the family
    My Great Great grandfather Frank Wright 1870 – 1943 A Cricketer in his time – there is rumour his father was Moult family – Anyone know much of the Moult family at all?

    I am also research Hefford family – my great grandfather Herbert Henry Hefford had a shop on Bath street 1920/1930’s Hefford and Co – furniture.

    I think i have lots of research and searching to do but thought i would try here as well
    Thanks Susan France

    Susan
    It is always a good idea to post as much information about a person as you know, to        help with your enquiry.
    You ask about ‘the Moult family’ …I am assuming that your research centres on Ilkeston. There are several Moult families although the name is not an Ilkeston surname as such. You often find it in Cossall, Trowell, Greasley … occasionally they come to Ilkeston, generally as coal miners.
    Again, with Frank Wright, you only give his birth and death years. I am assuming he has a connection with Ilkeston. The only Frank Wright I have in my file was born on May 4th 1870 in Northgate, Ilkeston, the illegitimate son of Martha Wright, who was the daughter of David and Eliza (nee Phillips)Martha was born in 1848 and she appears to have had a previous illegitimate son, William, born on Dec 1st 1866, also born in Northgate, who died shortly after. Her son Frank was also known as Francis Moult Wright (which may be the connection you are referring to ?)
    Martha Wright went on to have at least one more illegitimate son, William, born on Aug 14th 1874, with John Trueman, before she married William Smith in 1877. She died on April 11th 1883 at Northgate, her death probably connected with the birth of her last child. . (Interestingly she was living at Number 9 which was the address of Rick Scollins when he was a lad … he was the co-author of the Ey Up Me Duck books on Ilkeston history)You are possibly thinking that Frank’s father was a Moult ? assuming this is the same Frank.alias Francis Moult Wright ? 
    The only way to pin  that down is to look at his birth certificate (which I don’t believe shows his father) or look at his marriage certificate ? I believe that he was married twice, to Peck sisters, and his father may be shown on either of the certificates ?
    Of course this may not be the Frank Wright you are after, in  which case you can ignore all of the above !!

    Dave

  14. Pieter Johnson Reply

    Hello Dave,

    Thank You for your great work. On the following page: https://www.oldilkeston.co.uk/william-tarlton-butcher/
    You mention “mystery tenants Baker?” I wonder if this could be Barker. My research has shown that my Grandma Lorna Barker was living on Chapel Street in 1939 aged 17. It seems very possible to me she descended from the Bakers (Barkers) you refer to.

    Pieter,
    Thanks for trying to fill in the gap of the Bakers at Chapel Street. I will look into it but it seems a long shot.Bakers and Barkers were two distinct tribes …. it is a long shot … I will investigate and get back to you.
    Meanwhile, if anyone else can help, please feel free.Dave
    .
    Best wishes,Dave

    • Pieter Johnson Reply

      You also refer to a Dorothy Bostock (nee Barker). I wonder if there’s a link?

      Pieter
      As for Dorothy Barker, she married Samuel Bostock in 1796 …I am not sure how she fits in, but again I will investigate …. you should not assume that they are all connected
      Dave

  15. Melanie Reply

    Hi, I’m trying to find information about my house on Duke Street, Ilkeston. We have brought a house which we are told is an old cottage and wondering what it looked like previously to try and restore it

    Melanie,
    You don’t give the number of your house so I can’t see it on Google Earth. I presume that you know the date it was built either from your estate agent or from the ‘papers’ describing your house, or from HM Land Registry, which may also tell you what alterations have been carried out. The only way to tell what the original look of the house was like is to get a photo of Duke Street which I suspect will not be easy… it depends on the date of construction.
    I would suggest you ask on the various Facebook sites covering Ilkeston … but you have probably done this already.
    When you are searching for information, it is always a good idea to give as much detail as possible … number of house, date of construction, a photo if possible …
    Maybe talking to the neighbours might help ?
    Sorry I can’t be of more help in your quest.

    Dave

  16. David Reeve Reply

    Robert Blount born c1790
    Hi,
    I am trying to find a baptism record for Robert Blount who is my 3rd Great Grandfather so that I can see who his parents were.
    I believe he was from Ilkeston, born possibly 1790 but cannot find a record of baptism although I have found a Rob. Blonnt 1790 Ilkeston parents Jos. and Anne.
    I know he married Elizabeth Skeavington in 1809 and have found 4 children, 1 being my 2nd Great Grandmother Avice.
    I believe Elizabeth’s parents were Henry and Catherine (Matthews)
    Any information you have on the family would be a great help.

    Thanks
    David

    David
    I would agree with most of what you write although I believe Robert and Elizabeth had 6 children (although that does not affect what we are discussing). I see the baptism you refer to and it occurs at St Mary’s Church. If you look at the baptisms of that church, from 1777 to 1793 there are a number of Blount children baptised, most of them belonging to Joseph and Alice …. there are one or two exceptions where either the clergy in charge has written Anne instead of Alice , or there has been a mistranscription at a later stage. I would go with what you have discovered and see Robert as the son of Joseph and Alice (nee Bradley) who were married on June 28th 1775 at St Mary’s . You might also note the names of Robert’s children and that of his “mother” ?

    Dave

  17. Julian Howard Reply

    The Ebbern family

    My name is Julian Richard “Ebbern” Howard born 26th March 1980
    I am the son of Jeremy Paul Ebbern Howard. My Grandfather is William Ralph Eugene Howard (92yrs old)
    I am a descendent of the Ebbern family who married into the Howard family. Maybe this is of interest on this page?

    Julian,
    Thank you for getting in touch.
    If you would like to add more, about your family, I would very much welcome it.
    Best wishes,
    Dave

    • Brenda Kyte Reply

      My sister is married to Frank William Ebbern born 1945. His Father was George William Ebbern but I don’t have a fob. They lived T Kirk Hallam and both father and son worked at Stanton Ironworks.

    • Linda clarke Reply

      Comments summaryHenry Beer and family

      Hi my family are William and sussing beer from ilkeston , William beer dad was Henry beer, am trying to find out more info for family tree

      Many thanks
      Linda clarke

      Dave replied

      Linda,
      You don’t give any dates or places for the members of the Beer family or where they lived, so I would like to help and hopefully I have got the correct William and Susannah … so I will tell you what I know about them — you may know most of this already.

      William Beer baptised Feb 17th 1826, married Susannah Severn, born Mar 24th 1829 at Christ Church, Cotmanhay on Dec 25th 1851. Susannah had already had an illegitimate daughter born in 1849, and during their marriage they had at least 9 more children, starting with Thomas in 1852 and ending with Grace in 1872. (Notice that one of them was named Severn after his mother’s maiden name, quite common in Victorian families)

      William was the oldest son of Henry (bap Feb 25th 1801) and Sarah (nee Hatton, bap Jan 22nd 1804) — they married on May 23rd 1825 at St Mary’s Church. Including William they had at least 7 children.

      Henry, I believe was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth ‘Betty’ (nee Dennis)

      Susannah Severn was the daughter of Thomas and Grace (nee Duro) who married on August 27th 1822 at St Laurance Church in Heanor.

      A lot of this detail is on the Old Ilkeston site, in the marriages and births. I could add more but am probably telling you what you already know. If there is anything specifically which you want to know, then I would be only too happy to try and help.

      • Dave Reply

        Linda,
        You don’t give any dates or places for the members of the Beer family or where they lived, so I would like to help and hopefully I have got the correct William and Susannah … so I will tell you what I know about them — you may know most of this already.

        William Beer baptised Feb 17th 1826, married Susannah Severn, born Mar 24th 1829 at Christ Church, Cotmanhay on Dec 25th 1851. Susannah had already had an illegitimate daughter born in 1849, and during their marriage they had at least 9 more children, starting with Thomas in 1852 and ending with Grace in 1872. (Notice that one of them was named Severn after his mother’s maiden name, quite common in Victorian families)

        William was the oldest son of Henry (bap Feb 25th 1801) and Sarah (nee Hatton, bap Jan 22nd 1804) — they married on May 23rd 1825 at St Mary’s Church. Including William they had at least 7 children.

        Henry, I believe was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth ‘Betty’ (nee Dennis)

        Susannah Severn was the daughter of Thomas and Grace (nee Duro) who married on August 27th 1822 at St Laurance Church in Heanor.

        A lot of this detail is on the Old Ilkeston site, in the marriages and births. I could add more but am probably telling you what you already know. If there is anything specifically which you want to know, then I would be only too happy to try and help.

  18. Tracey Bailes Reply

    Ancient Druids Inn

    Hi I am enquiring about the previous uses of a building on Cotmanhay Road the building now includes the Glass Pilla public house formerly the Ancient Druid the rooms above are residential let’s owned by the proprietors of the nearby by Premier shop I’m wondering if anyone has any information on what the entire building once was it is 119 Cotmanhay Road thankyou

    Tracey
    Looking back, it appears that this building has a long history of being a beer-house/inn. It was previously (1830’/40s) known as the Druid’s Tavern, the Druid’s Arms and the Druid’s Inn when the proprietor was Robert Booth (1782-1858). When he died his wife Fanny (nee Hudson) took over the inn. She can be seen on the 1861 as a licensed victualler with her son John Hudson Booth next door.
    When Fanny (1785-1866) died her son John took on the inn.
    It was then taken over by Henry Walker — by this time it was known as the Ancient Druids — and on the 1891 census its number is 119 (it hadn’t always been that number) … he was still there in 1901 but by 1911 it had changed hands .. William Watford was now the proprietor — it was shown to have 8 rooms then.

    So I think you can see what the previous use of the building was ?

  19. Tony Dunbar Reply

    Who do I approach to ask for permission to use images from the site?

    Tony … you could ask me and I will almost certainly say ‘okay’
    Best to email me … [email protected]

  20. Gareth Reply

    Hi Dave

    I just wondered if you have any information or images on Queens/Oakwell Drive?

    Regards
    Gareth

    Gareth,
    Most of my information is on the website.
    I suggest you try a FaceBook page called Ilson Bygones … it is easy to join. It often has questions like yours. It is always a good idea to be as precise as you can in your question … eg are you looking for someone or is it a particular time you are interestested in? etc etc
    Good luck

    Dave
    HI Dave
    Yes i’m a member of the Ilson Bygone page, thanks.
    I was mainly interested in seeing a picture of Queens/Oakwell Drive when they was first built and the trees had just been put in etc.
    I’ve seen many pictures like this of the surrounding streets of Ilkeston on the Bygone page as you said, but I’ve never come across one of Queens or Oakwell?
    Any history behind the streets and their names names would just be a bonus.
    Regards
    Gareth

  21. Sue Duncan Reply

    More Henshaws in Ilkeston … and beyond
    Hello there
    My grandmother was Mary Ellen Henshaw Baxter and her sisters were Mahalah and Sarah Ann (Nancy). They were born around 1898 – 1902 in Ilkeston or nearby and their mother was Elizabeth Henshaw, their father Benjamin Baxter. Looking at the census there are loads of Henshaws and it is very confusing. I think they might also have been related to the Wright family who ha a curtain making service.Benjamin Baxter had a coal cart. They also I think had cousins including Meynell and Zillah Henshaw who were born in America – their parents though were born in Cotmanhay I think
    Many thanks
    Sue Duncan

    Sue,
    I will just concentrate on relationships and dates
    Elizabeth Anne Henshaw married Benjamin Baxter at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Bath Street, Ilkeston, in 1898.
    She was born on August 23rd 1872 at Primrose Hill in Cotmanhay, Ilkeston.
    Her parents were coal miner James and Mahala (nee Henshaw) who had married in 1866 at the same chapel (in an earlier form)
    She was one of 11 children … they were Meynell (1867). Meynell (1869), Mary Ellen (1870), Elizabeth Anne, Zillah (1875), Bernard (1877), James Arthur (1879), Severn (1881), Ada (abt 1883), Adolphus Burchell (1884)
    Following father James’s line, he was born Jan 2 1841 at Cotmanhay, son of John and Ruth (Severn … note the name of one of his sons)
    John and Ruth had 7 children, of whom James was number 6.
    John Henshaw was baptised on June 19th 1810 and married Ruth on Feb 27 1832 at St. Mary’s Church
    He was the son of Elisha and Martha (nee Cook) who married on Dec 12th 1802 at St. Mary’s …. they had 12 children (John was number 4)
    Elisha was baptised on Jun 9th 1783, son of James and Sarah (Walker) who had married on Dec 31st 1780… Elisha had at least 2 siblings.

    If we go back to Mahala Henshaw who married James Henshaw in 1866 .. she was born On July 3rd 1846, daughter of Thomas aand Elizabeth (Morley) who married Sep 11th 1833 … they had 10 children and Mahala was number 6.
    Thomas was baptised Sep 11 1805, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Smith) who married Jan 21st, 1786… they had 10 children
    Samuel was baptised Aug 6 1761 son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Sisson)
    Jonathan was the son of Roland who was the son of Rowland who was the son of Giles … and then you are back to about 1650, but you have to be very careful about these earlier records and relationships

    You see the family names of Zillah and Meynell appearing ? And note that Adolphus Burchall married Emily Henshaw in 1883 … she was the younger sister of Mahala.

    This leaves you with an outline of the Henshaw families to work on I hope … I have many more records of dates, of deaths and other Henshaw marriages … so if you want. any more information please ask

    You mentioned a Wright connection … on the 1911 census Benjamin and Elizabeth Ann are living with spinster Zilla Wright … she was the daughter of Thomas and Zilla (nee Henshaw) and this last Zilla was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Morley) (see above). I see your point about there being so many Henshaws !!

    Just to add to the confusion … if you look on the 1901 census you will find spinster Zilla Wright living at the same address with Joseph and Ann Henshaw who are described as uncle and aunt … this is Joseph Henshaw (son of John and Jane (nee Trueman)) who married Ann Henshaw (the younger sister of Mahala) in 1871 … so it was Ann Henshaw who was the aunt and Joseph who was the uncle-in-law.
    On the 1911 census Joseph is still with Zilla Wright (his age is miss-reported) and this time he is with his second wife Mary Blood … his first wife Ann had died on Dec 8th 1904.

    I will leave it there … please contact me if I have confused you too much. But I hope that as you plot it out it may become clearer.
    Dave

    Thank you so much- lots to work on there!
    Sue Duncan

  22. Dave Reply

    The Mystery of George Mather
    Can you help John Daniel ?

    George Mather and Hannah Hirst were married in 1800 at Nottingham. At that time George was working as an iron founder at Ilkeston.
    Their first child, Samuel, was born in 1801 while they were living in Cossall.
    Their children, Mary and Ann were born in 1803 and 1804 respectively, at Derby.
    George, Elizabeth, Thomas and Fanny were born between 1807 and 1813, in the Somercotes /Alfreton area.
    And finally John was born in 1815 while the Mathers were at Eastwood, Nottinghamshire.

    And then George disappears.

    His wife Hannah can be found living in Ilkeston, without George, (on the 1851 census she is a widow) until she died and was buried in Ilkeston in 1853.

    But what happened to George ?

    John Daniel has been looking for his death for a very long time …

    He writes…..

    I believe that George Mather (husband of Hannah Hirst) died/was killed under dubious circumstances. I have a couple of newspaper articles (Derby Mercury and Nottingham Gazette) relating to a chap by the name of John Walker being charged with the ‘killing and slaying’ of George Mather in Somercotes in 1815 following an inquest held by the coroner of the time (George Gent). Other than this, I cannot find any follow on reports. It seems that John Walker was released ‘No Bill’ which apparently means insufficient evidence. I have tried to find out more about this case and what actually happened to George Mather but have hit a total blank. The County Records office tell me all old inquest documentation was pulped during WW2. I’m pretty convinced I have the same George Mather as he was an iron founder in Somercotes and didn’t father any children beyond 1815 (as I presume he was killed and slain!).

    I think it will remain a mystery. I actually went to a meeting of the Somercotes Local History group once and specifically asked about a burial. I think they told me that the church in Somercotes hadn’t been built then.
    Its a bit disappointing that the newspaper editors of the time didn’t give the full story. Reading the published articles in isolation wouldn’t mean very much i.e. no build up and no conclusion.
    When I contacted the Records Office in Matlock they initially told me about the pulping in WW2 but said to try the coronor’s expenses claim as they sometimes give brief details of the inquest there. No joy!

    This George Mather’, killed in Somercotes in 1815, must have been buried somewhere, perhaps in Eastwood ?

  23. Finn Reply

    Ezekiel Beardsley and Albert Prince
    Hi, I have been researching my house and the surrounding area and interesting information. I have found my house was occupied by Ezekiel Beardsley who owned a lace factory on primrose street- now turned into flats and was wondering if there is any more information on him or his family (wife Isabella Beardsley and can be found in Ilkeston cemetery). Furthermore, I’ve been looking into a very interesting house on Charlotte street, recently it seems run down and almost haunted looking, and its three stories. I’ve tracked down using the records it was occupied by Albert Prince, lacemaker in Heanor, it’s a grand house and is very striking so more information would be interesting.

    Finn,
    I don’t know how much of this you already know so I hope you will forgive me if you already have this information or if it isn’t what you want.
    Ezekiel Beardsley was born on Feb 13 1845, at Cotmanhay, the son of William and Mary (Taberrer/Tabra). His father was a lacemaker at Duke St, and then Primrose Hill/Street. His grandfather (another William) was also a lacemaker at Cotmanhay.
    Ezekiel had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. He married Isabella Cripwell in 1865 at Babbington Chapel, near Awsworth. She was the daughter of joiner William and Phillis (Burrows). For their married life they lived at Primrose Hill/St and then at 58 Bright St (You don’t say what your house is so I am assuming it is in this area.
    Isabella died on Apr 13 1903 at no. 58 and Ezekiel died on Nov 18 1924 … both are buried in Park Cemetery.
    They had 12 children, and their eldest son, Edwin occupied 59 Bright St in later life.
    In 1939 No 58 Bright St was occupied by John Henry Potter who had married Alice BEARDSLEY in 1913

    As far as Albert Prince is concerned, I have looked along Charlotte St, and the only house that might fit with your description is one of the houses opposite Haddon Nurseries, but I am not sure at all …. I have no information on Albert, I’m afraid, or when he occupied the house

    If you want to know any more or have specific details that I might have, then please ask … I have more on the Beardsleys, but without more detail on Charlotte St, I probably won’t be able to help.
    Dave

  24. Graham Shead Reply

    I was interested to read about John Trueman. We have the clock presented to him in 1897 by the Ilkeston Licenced Victuallers

  25. Dave Reply

    Gladys Clarke
    If you read the previous conversation between myself and Sharlaine you will see that she is trying to find Gladys on the 1901 census. Gladys was the illegitimate daughter of Annie, born on Oct 3rd 1897, in Nottingham city.
    On the 1911 census she appears as Gladys Whittlesee, the (adopted) daughter of Leonard and Helen Whittlesee at 21a Rutland St, Ilkeston.
    But where was she in 1901 ? Can anyone find her or have you any tips to pass on to Sharlaine ?

  26. Sharlaine O'Loughlin Reply

    Gladys Marson nee Clarke

    Hi Dave,
    Greetings from Australia,
    I’m on the hunt and have been for years looking for a needle in a haystack. My grandmother Gladys Clarke born 1897 was fostered by Leonard and Helen Whittlesee – 1911 Census (states 1898 born) Gladys lived with the family at 21a Rutland St Illkeston until she married my grandfather Thomas Marson 14th April 1917 at Leicester Registry Office.
    I’m hopeful Gladys went to school and as far as i can find out Hallcroft School was the closest. How do i access records for school attendance as i saw a record on your website please?
    Gladys stated DOB: 8th October1897
    Closest Gladys Clarke i can find is 3rd October 1897
    Death Date: 12th June 1972
    I would be very grateful for any hints or help.
    Thank you
    Sharlaine

    Sharlaine,
    I think I have found Gladys on the 1911 census and it looks like she was born in Nottingham. By 1911 she would have almost finished her state education (up to the age of 14) and be ready for work. She wouldn’t have gone to Hallcroft School as it wasn’t opened then and maybe she wasn’t educated in Ilkeston at all ? She may have gone to a school in Ilkeston … eg at Granby, Kensington or Chaucer schools but I am not sure attendance records of these exist or what they would tell you. As I say by 1911 she would be working or almost so.
    I notice on the 1939 register that her birth date is given (by her) as Oct 3rd 1897 and is living at Glencote, Gorse Lane, Oadby.
    Please ask if you want to pursue this or if my answer is unclear.
    Best wishes… Dave
    PS I am not sure what ‘record’ you saw on the OLd Ilkeston website

    Good morning Dave,
    Thank you very much for the information. It’s lovely to have details confirmed. I’m driving my family mad here in Auss !!
    Yes, that info appears to be “our” Gladys. I had followed her “bread crumbs” to that point. Is there no avenue to find out (supposition only ?) prior to the 1911 Census. The Whittlesees in the 1901 Census had their eldest son John but no mention of Gladys.
    She would have been 4years and 5 months old. Do i need to accept we will never know or am i missing something? I’ll research anything you suggest…
    Regards Sharlaine

    Sharlaine,
    Now I am not sure what exactly you are trying to find out about Gladys.
    Are you trying to find her on the 1901 census /
    I assume you have her birth certificate. If not I have looked and found a possible Gladys born in the fourth quarter of 1897 (her birth date was Oct 3rd 1897, making her 3 years and 5 months old at 1901 census ?.) Again I am assuming her name was just Gladys (no other forenames). The one I found has a mother’s maiden name of Clarke suggesting Gladys was illegitimate ?
    I can’t find her on the 1901 census for Nottingham, so …
    Do you know who her mother was ?
    Did her mother marry after 1897 ?
    Perhaps Gladys then had her mother’s married name for a time?
    Who were her maternal grandparents? … often illegitimate children were brought up by grandparents if their mother married.
    Have you tried to find out why she ended up with the Whittlesea family by 1911 ?
    Surnames which appear in her ‘story’ are Taylor, Wootton, Whittlesea as well as Clarke … you should try to keep them in mind.
    (Of course she may not be illegitimate which means you start from both parents)
    I don’t like mysteries being unsolved … you have hooked me now !!! (Thank you very much !!)
    Let me know if you have her birth certificate … the one I found had the ref. 7B 369
    Best wishes,
    Dave

    Good morning Dave,
    Yes, finding Gladys in the 1901 census would be fantastic. Any info would be fantastic. Yes just Gladys with Annie Clarke – being illegitimate is correct i assume.
    Yes i do have her birth certificate. I followed the Taylor, Wooton, Whittlesea and Annie Clarke lines as well as Mary Jane Woolley (witness on Marriage Cert) no result i can see. I thought her mother Annie might have been deceased……do you know how Annie Clarkes deceased in that time? Thousands….No info on Gladys until she is with the Whittleseas and they are all deceased as well. I did note on her marriage cert to my grandfather (14/4/1917 Loughborough), Gladys’s dad wrote his name as Leonard Clarke – not Whittlesea. I thought that was probably to reduce embarrassment on the day. I tried tracking him but otherwise he hasn’t used Clarke prior. I tried to track Gladys through her age. The closest i came by was a Gladys at Basford that lived with her Grandmother. Not knowing the area, but assuming it was close by (due to Google maps) Gladys had a middle name on her docs and our Gladys didn’t have a middle name.
    Yes you are correct on Gladys’s age – poor maths on my part.
    You can see why this is doing my “head in”.
    Thank you for the reassurrance I’ve been on the right track and the chat.
    Regards
    Sharlaine

  27. Michael O'Callaghan Reply

    Thomas and Frances Goddard

    Dear Dave,
    Not a comment but a question. My wifes cousin sent a folder detailing her farther’s ancestry but one detail is somewhat wrong bcause according to the family tree her 3 x great grandad was born 14 years after his mother died. The gentlemans name was Thomas Goddard who married a Frances Foster and had at least three children one of whom Fredrick William is my wifes 2 x great grandad.I have been unable to find a reliable birth date for Thomas or a record of his marriage which must have about 1820-1825 when the 1st child Matilda was born. I would be most grateful if someone with access to more records from Ilkeston could find his birh date and which of the many Goddards were his parents.

    Michael,
    According to my records, Thomas Goddard was baptised on March 19th, 1779, at St Mary’s Church in Ilkeston, the son of Jonathan and Mary (nee Burgin-Richardson). He married Frances Foster of Luddenham,Kent, on August 18th 1806, at Dartford,Kent. They had at least seven children (I suspect more) .. Frances(born abt 1810), Maria (1816), Thomas (1820), William (1822), Matilda (1825), Emily (1828), and Frederick William (Dec 3rd 1830)
    Thomas died in Ilkeston on Jan 11th 1847, aged 67.
    I hope this helps with your search and if you would like more detail, please ask.
    Dave

    Dear Dave,
    thank you for this information, it certainly makes more sense than the tree we have which showed him as having been born 1799,though a marriage date about the 1820’s did seem possible. I did not know about the children born before Matilda so had thought she was the first. I wonder why Thomas strayed so far from home to find his wife.
    Once again thank you for your help because the records I found had a couple of gaps in terms of years which you have filled in for me.
    Mick

    Pleased it was helpful Mick.
    Best wishes
    Dave

  28. Christina Steele Reply

    Jonathan Eyre and family

    I don’t know how I came across this website but I have to say a big thanks to the reply given to Brenda by Dave Aug 13th 2015 as this has helped me research my Eyre family background
    Dave’s reply Aug 13th 2015 re Willoughby & Harriet Hardy, Harriet being my 3rd GGM. However, I have come unstuck re the parents of Jonathan Eyre DOB 1823 Stapleford civil parish of Ilkeston? who married Emily Hardy/Blackburn. I don’t know if Jonathan (c1823). I have found him on the 1851 Census which states born Stapleford Civil Parish of Ilkeston. I know the family moved to Nottm at some point. One of his sons Robert DOB 1851 is listed as born in Stapleford who married Ann Hall. If you good supply any information at all to confirm the little that I have I would be extremly grateful. Thanks in advance. Chris

    Chris,
    I was a little sidetracked looking for Willoughby Hardy, when I realised that it was Willoughby Simpson and Harriet (nee Hardy)
    The marriage of Jonathan in 1845 shows that his father was a gardener, Timothy.
    Jonathan was baptised at St Helen’s Church, Stapleford on Jun 10th 1821, son of Timothy and Mary.
    Timothy married Martha (Gloor or Bloor) on Feb 20 1815. They had other children … Mary (born abt 1817), William (1823), Ann (1825), Michael (1828) and Elizabeth (1832)
    Timothy and family can be found on the 1841 and 1851 census at Stapleford. I believe he died in Jan 1861, aged 65. His wife Martha died in 1857, aged 64.
    Stapleford is about 5 miles from Ilkeston but is in the county of Nottinghamshire, whereas Ilkeston is in Derbyshire. This makes it very confusing for some people looking from the outside (and inside !!!)
    In the 19th century, Ilkeston was in the Registration District of Basford (which included parts of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, but not Stapleford)
    Stapleford was in the Registration District of Shardlow (which included parts of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, but not Ilkeston)
    Basically therefore Ilkeston and Stapleford were very separate towns.
    Confused ??
    I may not have answered all that you were asking … but that doesn’t stop you from asking again !!
    Dave

  29. Paul Green Reply

    John and Maria Osborne

    Hi Dave et al
    I am currently looking into my GGGrandparents John & Maria Osborne. Maria was born in Ilkeston 1818 and baptised at St Marys ( curiously, later in 1857 all six children and John were baptised there, same day). They lived in Whites Yard and then East St. between 1852 and 1886. They ran a dying business ( which appears in the directories 1874 through to 1887). In October 1857 John opens the NEW ALE AND PORTER STORES on Bath St. near the British School. Do you know anymore about this stores as to date I could only find that advert in the Pioneer ( p1 8.10.1857).
    Any help or guidance would be much appreciated
    PS I guess the children ( 4 girls & 2 boys) born between 1845 and 1857 would have attended the British School.

    Thanking you in anticipation Paul Green

    Paul,
    As you will see, the Osborne family is described in the Grand Tour, at East Street … but I was not aware of John’s venture into the ‘Ale and Porter’ trade. All directories mention only the ‘dyeing’ trade’. I suspect this store might have only lasted a brief period (it would be interesting to see the Pioneer advert) but I’m afraid I can’t help with any further detail. Your query will be posted of course … hopefully others might help ?
    Dave

  30. Terry Ford Reply

    John Tilson and his family

    Hello Dave, can you advise where on your site is the information and stories of the Tilson family. I did read some attributed to your site on the FamilySearch web site. John Tilson 1841-1887 would be my great-grandfather. It is very interesting reading the stories about Old Ilkston.

    Terry Ford
    Regina SK Canada

    Dave replied ….
    Terry,
    The Tilsons are mentioned at several place on the site. I will give you the main ones.
    a) Go to ‘Comments Summary‘ and there you will find a list of family names, including the Tilson family. If you click on that you will see a lot of information provided by John A Goulder.
    b) If you go to Old Ilson Blog, then Old Ilson Blog 1852, then look at the entry for Oct 21st.
    c) Go to Grand tour on the main menu .. then click on Stanton Road … then go to ‘Don’t believe everything you read , Part 1‘ .. If you look down this page you will find a picture and description of a Tilson Grave (the wife of John Tilson’s uncle Joseph)
    d) Go to ‘Grand Tour’,– then to ‘Bath Street, -west side south end’ — then to ‘Club Row‘ where you will quickly find a Tilson mention.
    e) Go to Grand Tour — then ‘East side of South Street’ — then Weaver Row, where you will find a Tilson family.
    f) Go to Grand Tour — then Nottingham Road Part 2 — then Horse and Groom Inn — you will find a description of some Tilson sporting success.
    g) Go to Grand Tour — then ‘Into Queen Street — then Frank Hallam’s Row — you will find Tilsons at numbers 4 and 6.
    h) For the main reference to the Tilsons, go to Grand Tour — then ‘Up Bath Street to Jack Lee’s Yard — then ‘To Chapel Street

    I have made links so you can go straight to these pages.
    There is also a search facility … at the top of any page you will see a magnifier glass symbol. Click on that and type in ‘Tilson’ …. you will then be presented with a list of all references to ‘Tilson’ — most of them are Census, Birth, Death, Marriages etc.

    If you want any further help, please ask.
    Dave

  31. Terry Holbrook Reply

    Samuel Shaw, brickmaker of Chapel Street

    Terry Holbrook
    I have just read your item on brickmaker shaw my \GGGrandfather \my GGrandfather Married Francis one week not year after her sister, with my great aunt being born three months after

    \if youhavw any further info i would be grateful to receive it

    Terry
    When did you attendChauser |school and was Miss Holbrook the infant head? She was my Father’s Sister

    Dave replied,
    Terry, thanks for taking the time to contact me. You seem to be suggesting that Jane Maria Shaw and Frances Alice Shaw, her sister, married in the same year, just a week apart. I have checked various sources and it still seems to me that Jane Maria married Thomas Beniston in May 1876 and Frances Alice married William Holbrook in June 1877, approximately one year later.
    I have put most of my information about the Shaws onto the website, but there is much more about them in the Reference Library at Ilkeston. They were a very prominent family of course.
    If there is anything in particular you want to know about any of the family, please ask … I will try to help.
    PS I attended Chaucer schools in the early 1950’s .. I can’t remember any of the Infants teachers, though I remember Jack Syson, Don Kirk, Mrs Gormley, Polly Virgo, Mr Bateman, and headmaster Mr Hinds(?) of the Junior School.

  32. Cameron Mellor Reply

    George Scattergood alias Calladine

    Hi Dave, greetings from New Zealand. Your site is fantastic and it has helped me already.

    I am trying to find the marriage details for George Scattergood and Sarah Ellen Scott (born 1869 – I suspect her father’s name was James Scott) – their marriage was registered in 1887. In particular I am very keen to know their ages, marital status and parents’ names etc. I’m hoping to find the details, but can only find the index reference so far – Basford 7B pg 203. There was a potential clue that they were married at Babbington Chapel. I saw on another one of your pages (The Meadows Family) that someone had found the details to a Babbington Chapel marriage from 1866, so I am hoping there is a way for me to search somewhere for details of marriages from that location?

    Any help would be much appreciated!

    Thanks
    Cameron

    Cameron,
    I believe that George Scattergood married Sarah Ellen Scott (born Manchester) in 1887 at Babbington Chapel, near Awsworth, Notts. Born in 1857, he was the son of George Scattergood snr, alias Calladine and Elizabeth (nee Turton)
    George snr was the illegitimate son of Amy Calladine and John Scattergood.
    The marriage records of Babbington Chapel have not been transcribed on-line as far as I am aware, and so the information you seek will only be available by purchasing the marriage certificate … Babbington was in the Basford Registration District. You can of course work backwards from the marriage, as I am sure you have done, but I think you need the certificate to be certain (and even then it may have some details missing … eg exact ages, addresses)

    Best wishes,
    Dave

  33. MICHELLE GREGORY Reply

    Hi David
    Greetings from Australia
    I am a direct descendant of Captain Charles Gregory on my Fathers side.
    I have acquired from my fathers estate one of the Captains Sea Logs
    His Obituary
    His Compass
    His cufflinks
    I would be interested to know about the state of the Old Wine Vaults- I saw a realestate advertisement that showed the plaque outside honouring the memory of the Captain
    Is he still held in esteem by the resident or Ilkeston as part of their history?
    Is the new owner of the Vaults maintaining his connection to Ilkeston.

    Does the Council involve them selves in keeping his story alive/

    I would be interested to know.

    I look forward to hearing from you when you have a moment
    Kind regards
    Michelle

  34. Diana Draper Reply

    William, Grace and John Henshaw

    Hi Dave,
    May I firstly say how much I have enjoyed the Old Ilkeston site. You and your contributors have recorded many hours of research, free, for the benefit of us all tracing our Ilkeston heritage.
    I have had a problem with my research for many years and hope you or members of your site may be able to help me.
    Grace Gorse married WILLIAM HENSHAW at West Hallam in 1808. I found one child John born to them, baptised in ST MARYS NOTTINGHAM in 1815
    In 1834 GRACE married a JOHN HENSHAW In Duffield (on the same day her son John married Charlotte Musson/Muston also at Duffield.) Grace was classed as WIDOW and John widower.
    They all lived in Ilkeston for the rest of their lives. On one census on your site it states “Grace Henshaw widow of William Henshaw”how did you know this? My problem is, WHERE And WHEN did William die? Was he an Ilkeston Henshaw? If so when was he born and who were his parents? With so many HENSHAWS in Ilkeston it is hard to know. If I could only find his burial it would spare me on again after so many years hunting for him, and perhaps then find out his age at death and work out his birth date.
    Any help from you and members of your site would be much appreciated.
    Kind regards, and thanks again for a great site
    Diana Draper

  35. heidi Reply

    Wheeldon and Sanders families

    Hi Dave,
    Just an update on the Wheeldon & Sanders Families.
    William George Wheeldon, son of Amos and Sarah became a silk and lace manufacturer and owner with two factories one on North Street the other on Albert street. He sold both to a London company.
    (In his file at the local studies library were Alice Wheeldon the Derby suffragette who was accused of trying to kill Lloyd George paper cut outs and information, when I asked why I was told it was because they are of the same family, I have yet to find this to confirm).
    Also John Sanders Wheeldon a grandson of Amos and Sarah, was killed in the WW1 while fighting in Palestine, He is buried in modern day Israel at Ramla at the war cemetery. He was in the 1/5 Sussex Regiment and part of the Egyptian Expeditionary force EEF he was killed in 1918. I am looking into his story and will update you. He is on the war memorial in Ilkeston market place.

    Thank you
    Heidi

    Heidi wrote on Aug 6th …
    While doing some research I have found some of the (Wheeldon) family did live in Belper which is where the father of William Augustus Wheeldon (the father of Alice Wheeldon) was from. I clearly need to keep investigating so I can prove it one way or the other.
    John Sanders Wheeldon …his mother and father William George and Mary signed for his belongings which were returned to the UK after his death. I am currently trying to find his story too, I’m waiting to hear back from the battalion with any information they may have. When I get any information I will let you know.

  36. David Derbyshire Reply

    Herbert Moore
    Good morning
    Looking for information on Herbert Moore of 31 Rutland street Ilkeston
    I have a photograph of his diamond wedding anniversary in the mid 1950s however I am looking for his birth or his parents
    any clues any one
    David

    Dave replied….
    If you are looking for answers to particular questions, it is always a good idea to try to give as much information as you have.
    For example, the date of the photo (if you know it), the name of Herbert’s wife, the place of his birth (again if you know it) etc.

    I am assuming that Herbert is of Ilkeston origin and that he married in the mid-1890’s, in or near Ilkeston.
    I have found a marriage at Christ Church, Cotmanhay on Oct 22nd 1893, between Herbert Cornelius Moore, aged 20, and Ellen Barnes, also aged 20.The marriage certificate usually gives the father’s name, and in this case, Herbert is the son of Herbert. He was therefore born around 1873.
    There is an alternative marriage at St Mary’s Church on Mar 12th 1898, between Herbert Moore and Hannah Tatham (admittedly not in the mid-1890’s)

    Looking at Ilkeston in 1939, we see that living at 30 Rutland St is Herbert Moore (born on Sept 24th 1877) with Hannah Moore, born on July 5th 1878. This couple appears to have had several children, including Herbert junior, Henry, Hilda, Elsie May, and Annie Frances (and Arthur William?)
    Herbert’s parents were William Moore and Sarah Ann Rigley who married on August 9th 1875 at St Mary’s Church.

    I am not sure if either of these Herberts is the one you are seeking however.
    Dave

  37. Heidi Elbediwy Reply

    William Wheeldon and the Sanders family

    Good Afternoon,

    Can I please ask if you know anymore about the William Wheeldons that you have responded to before, also are you able to go back any further on the Sanders family who were intermarried with the Wheeldons it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Heidi Elbediwy.

    Heidi,
    I am not sure of the previous response you are referring to in your message.
    William Wheeldon, baptised at St Mary’s Church on Feb 8th 1815 is found on early censuses living at Kimberley, Notts as a lacemaker, with his wife Mary (nee Birkin) whom he married , Jan 26th 1834, at the same church.
    Looking at their children, it seems that the family also spent time in Stapleford, Notts, before moving back to Ilkeston, where they can be found on the 1861 census.
    His first wife died in Oxford St, Ilkeston on Jul 19th 1863.
    William then remarried, to widow, Elizabeth Herring (nee Fletcher) on May 16th 1864, again at St Mary’s Church.
    William died in Oxford St, Ilkeston, on Mar 5th 1867, aged 52.
    William, I believe, was the son of Samuel and Sarah (nee Hunt)

    William and Mary’s first child, Amos Wheeldon, married Sarah Sanders in 1856.
    She was born in Ilkeston in 1834, daughter of William and Lucy Sergeant (nee Mills)
    William (and many other of the Sanders family) was a gardener, born in Ilkeston and baptised Dec 17th 1796. He died on Jun 13th 1860.
    He was the son of William (also a gardener) and Ann (nee Raynor) who had married in 1786.
    William the elder died on Apr 26th 1812, aged 51. He left a will which can be viewed online. (eg at Findmypast)
    It is reported that William the elder was the son of another gardener Joseph Sanders/Saunders … this piece of information comes from the papers of Edgar Waterhouse, a celebrated Ilkeston historian who wrote a series of articles for the Ilkeston Pioneer in 1934.
    I hope this helps but as I indicated earlier, I was not sure of what you were seeking.
    Dave

    • heidi elbediwy Reply

      Wheeldon and Sanders families
      good morning,

      I have done some more research on the Wheeldon and Sanders families. I discovered that William Sanders who lived at the old thatch cottage had a small zoo in the back garden with a monkey which liked to ride on the back of dogs. Also I found his rents and property logs which showed that a lot of his tenants were gardeners like him, but I would assume this meant there was land to maintain rather than just maintaining other peoples garden. With the Wheeldon family I found that William George Wheeldon was a silk manufacture and owner of the business. His father Amos worked as a silk maker but as far as I know did not own the factory so I am really curious how this came about.

      Thank you Heidi

      Dave replied,
      Heidi, this is fascinating stuff. I am really interested to know what sources you looked at to find this informtion … unless it is Top Secret !!
      Great work. I will put your comments onto the site if you don’t mind (at the Wheeldon and Sanders families pages)
      Dave

      • heidi elbediwy Reply

        Hi Dave,

        I went to the local studies library in Ilkeston and worked my way through the reference cards and micro film. I will be going back to continue in the next few weeks. if I find out anymore I will update you. I will make notes of the references as well and send these to you. More than happy to share anything I find 🙂

        Thank you Heidi

  38. Phil Henshaw Reply

    Johnsons and Henshaws in Ilkeston

    Hi Dave
    Recently found the Old Ilkeston site which is a great resource for those interested both in the history of the town and others who are tracing their ancestors. So big thanks to you and others for making it available.
    My great grandfather was Arthur Reuban Johnson who was quite a character in the town for some years.
    I’m looking for more information on Samuel Henshaw 1811 d 1877 who married Matilda Barton in 1829. Would anybody have anything about his parents? Samuel was variously a Hawker, Ag Lab and fishmonger amongst other things.

    Phil Henshaw

    Dave replied off-line but maybe others have more information ?? (There are a lot of Henshaws in Ilkeston !!)

  39. Cathy Jury Reply

    Grace Carrier

    Thank you for this excellent website. I have found this very interesting as my grandmother was Grace Carrier. She was granddaughter to John Mellors Carrier b.1849 in Basford, who ran a grocer’s shop in Bailey St.
    His g.g.grandparents were John Carrier & Esther (nee Woollin).

    Cathy,
    Thank you for the compliment ..
    And I too found your post very interesting. It informed me of a branch of the Carrier family I was unaware of.
    I have a listing of the marriage of John Carrier and Esther Woolin and of their children … but John Mellors Carrier was new to me.
    If you would like to share what you know of him I would be most grateful. I suppose his mother was a ‘Mellors’ (Sarah Mellors married to Henry Carrier ?) but what then ?

    Dave

  40. Mike Reply

    Antoine Gerbaud

    First off, thank you for this brilliant resource! My question is about Antoine Gerbaud – please do you know where in the cemetery he is buried? I paid a quick visit and couldn’t spot his headstone. Many thanks.

    Mike,
    Several thousand people were buried in the Stanton Road Cemetery before it was closed. As you probably saw from your visit, very few monuments remain and the majority of the graves were unmarked.
    As far as I am aware Antoine’s grave fell into this category. He was buried in the 3rd class section of the cemetery — that is in the far part of the cemetery, furthest from the entrance gate. It is almost impossible to place its location accurately.
    In the reference section of Ilkeston Library there is a book listing the ‘existing’ memorials found in the cemetery — as it was written many years ago, some of those memorials might well have disappeared. However, there is no memorial listed for Antoine.
    I hope this answered your query. If I can help in any further way, do please ask.
    Dave

  41. Andrew Winfield Reply

    Uncle Bill Lacey, ‘Mayor of Cotmanhay’
    Dear Dave
    This may be a bit recent for your site’s Victorian remit but do you have any information about a man my father knew as “Uncle Bill”? Dad says his surname was Lacey (exact spelling not verified) and he held the title “Mayor of Cotmanhay” around the 1930s.
    Dad recalls visiting Uncle Bill in the mid to late 30s and having to sit quietly under the table with the other children while the adults had afternoon tea above!
    We have a formal photo of Uncle Bill in a mayoral chain but nothing written on it. The internet and genealogy sites have drawn a blank so we may have some wrong data – maybe Bill or William was a middle name for example, or perhaps my search technique needs sharpening!
    He was not Dad’s direct uncle but we think is a real relative – my best guess from your census information is there may be a connection to Lacey via the surname Sisson (we think Dad’s great-grandmother’s maiden name, married to one Edwin Elliot) but that seems too far back and William Lacey is a very common name in history.
    If you have any additional Lacey family member names or dates I can use to narrow the search and make the link to our family tree, if indeed there is a link, that would be appreciated.
    Thanks
    Andrew

    Andrew,
    Thankfully the clues you gave seem to have been very useful.
    There was a marriage of Jemima Sisson to Edwin Elliott in 1866 at Sheffield. I believe that Jemima was the daughter of John and Sarah (Fretwell) married in 1837 at Eastwood. The family were living in Ilkeston on the 1851 census before moving up to Yorkshire.
    Edwin (or Edward) Elliott was born in Dodworth, Barnsley about 1840. After the marriage the Elliotts lived in the Rotherham area for a while before moving (in the mid 1870’s) back to live in the West Hallam/Stanley Common area.
    They had several children — one of them was Emma Elliott, born about 1873 in the Barnsley area.
    Now in 1893, while the family was living in Stanley Common, Emma married William Lacey junior (born Mar 24 1872), a coalminer of Cotmanhay, the son of William senior (and Ruth nee Straw).
    William and Emma went to live at 13 Wesley St in Cotmanhay and were there on the 1901/1911 censuses.
    They had many children — Mabel Ruth, William Harold, Mary, Ernest, Hilda, Clarence, Evelyn, Alvin, Aubrey, Lawrence, Irene (and possibly others I’ve missed out).
    By 1939 Emma had died (possibly in 1939) but William Lacey was living at 12 Wesley St. Next door to him, at number 13, was his son, William Harold, who had married Sarah Ann Quinn (born in Feb 1896) — with them was Sarah’s father Patrick, (born May 7th 1868)
    As you can see there were several William Laceys here — oerhaps we are on the right track and one of them is the ‘Mayor of Cotmanhay.
    I hope something here rings a bell with you.
    Dave

    Andrew replied ….
    Excellent thanks Dave, much appreciated. That fits perfectly – most of my great-grandparents (which include Mary Elliott) ended their days in Stanley Common.

  42. Sue Bowen Reply

    George Simpson of Ilkeston ?

    I don’t suppose you have unearthed a George Simpson anywhere in your travels? I have one that died in Newark-on-Trent in 1849. He shows in the 1841 census as not born in county and I have searched an searched to find out where he came from. Birth is shown as 1804 according to the census. He was a witness to one John Simpson’s marriage in Newark, and John was from Ilkestone, father was Willoughby Simpson. I so wanted them to be brothers but cannot find a George born in Ilkestone.

    Dave replied …
    Sue,
    I can’t seem to locate your George Simpson born about 1804 (presumably living at Newark) nor his death there in 1849 … the only death I see is for one born about 1795 (aged 54 when he died in 1849).
    There are several Willoughbys associated with Ilkeston and there is a George, baptised in 1814 at Saxilby in Lincolnshire … he was the son of Joseph Simpson, born in Ilkeston about 1776, and Sarah (nee Hawley), who married in Ilkeston in 1802. Joseph left a will dated 1826 which is on line and which mentions several of his children.
    The problem with many of the Simpsons of Ilkeston is that the male members were often boatmen and this occupation took them out of Ilkeston with their families, often to places in neighbouring Nottinghamshire and into Lincolnshire … so they are especially difficult to locate on the 1841 census.
    If you have more detail of the Simpsons you mention, we might be able to unearth more.
    Dave

  43. Steven Henman Reply

    Henry William Smith and Chapel Row

    Hello Dave,

    What a great site this is that I have just stumbled across today whilst researching my family history. Well done to everyone involved.
    I used to live in Long Eaton and visited Ilkeston not realising some of my ancestors lived in the town. I’m gathering a lot of good information from my ancestery membership but does anyone have any pictures of 1 Chapel Row on Chapel Street from around 1900 as Henry William Smith (my great grandfather appears at the address in the 1911 census as a 15 year old boy. His occupation is a coal miner pony driver underground. Any idea which pit he would have worked? thanks for any help.

    Dave replied ……

    I can see William Smith on the 1911 census at Chapel St Row. … the son of William and Elizabeth (Richards). It appears that his birth was registered as William and he is on the 1901 census as William, so he must have added the ‘Henry’ at some time.

    I don’t know how well you know Ilkeston but … most of the area you are interested in has now been knocked down and built over. If you use Google to go down Chapel Street from Bath Street, you see Baker St on your right and Chapel St Row was on your left, just about where the present-day Chapel St ends.
    I have attached a map of 1880/81 showing Chapel St Row and Lodge Row, Now if you go to Picture the Past (for Derbyshire) (https://picturethepast.org.uk/image-library/image-details/poster/dccs000702/posterid/dccs000702.html) you will find a photo of the area (Lodge Row and Chapel St Row) shown in the map, from the same viewpoint. I’m afraid its from 1973 and not 1911 … I dare say the area didn’t change much before it was knocked down. I think you might struggle to get a photo of that period.

    As far as the coalmine/pit is concerned … well as the only clue is that Henry William was a coalminer, it really could be anywhere, though I suspect it would be in Ilkeston …. perhaps Manners Colliery ?! but I am just guessing. There were several pits in what is now the Manners Avenue area ( a large industrial estate now).
    There is a site you might find useful ..(http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/pits/manner.htm) — if you click on ‘contents’ and then ‘pits’, you could search for ‘Manners’ or ‘Rutland’ or ‘Ilkeston’ or what ever you like.

  44. Fred Pringle Reply

    Ilkeston’s hosiery industry

    Hi Dave,

    I have the Booths booklets from the printer. It is 88 A5 pages in length. It covers; Ilkeston`s early hosiery roots, the foundation of Booths after WW1, expansion during the inter-war period, the development of technology and machinery, the impact of WW2, the work of the knitters, the mechanics and the finishing skills, the Booth family and the management structure, the products and the trade marks, the marketing strategies, publicity via celebreties, the human resources and the welfare regime,and an assessment of the reasons for decline. Many families and key persons involved with Booths figure so it may be of some interest to viewers of your web site. Ilkeston Library have a few copies for sale or anyone interested could contact me.

    Thanks for your help and advice,

    Fred ([email protected])

  45. Sue Marshall Reply

    The Severns at Strelley

    For Alan Smith, re John Severn. For interest, there is a John Severn buried in All Saints churchyard, Strelley village. He was buried on 16 Dec 1916 and his wife Sarah on 5 Jun 1898. The burials in the old churchyard surrounding All Saints (as against the ‘new’ one immediately across the road) are listed in “A Short History and Guide to All Saints Church, Strelley” by David Clifford. It is a fascinating and well-researched read in itself; it is available from All Saints (see open times on website) or from Moorley Printing via Amazon.
    From Sue Marshall, All Saints congregation member

    • Alan Smith Reply

      Thanks for that Sue, your time and information is much appreciated. Alan

  46. Jan Le-Van Smith Reply

    Henry Smith, senior and junior, of Bramcote
    Hi Dave,
    Jan Smith here again from sunny France, I’m doing quite nicely with my Smith branches, although Henry Smith circa 1819 is still alluding all attempts to find his parents.
    His son Henry married Emma Luckcuck and lived in Ilkeston, they had 4 sons, John Henry, Fredrick, Percy & Frank.
    I think Frank was killed in France 6/11/18 but how can I check its the right Frank Smith, is it possible to find a copy of his joining up papers and if so please can you point me in the right direction of where to look, and if it is the right Frank would I be able to find a war grave do you think?
    Thanks in advance and hope all is well with you.. Jan Smith

    ps I noticed someone was asking about Eyers. Percy married Martha Eyres is that anything to do with the person they are looking for?

    Dave replied …
    I recall Henry Smith … a Smith from outside Ilkeston as I remember.
    I have just checked again and his son Henry junior with his wife Emma Jane and family aren’t living in Ilkeston after the marriage. They lived in Marlpool on the outskirts of Heanor (again not my ‘speciality’)
    Heanor and Ilkeston fall into the same Basford Registration District although they are separated by several miles.

    I attach some enlistment papers for Frank Smith … the key is that his birth was registered as Frank Miller Smith in 1892 (brothers Frederick Sabin 1884 and Percy Claud 1890) … they were all baptised at St Laurance Church, Heanor on June 1st 1893.

    I think that Frank survived the war (he may have won a gallantry award).
    There is a marriage for Frank Miller Smith to Doris Wood in 1921 at St Mary’s Church, Ilkeston.
    They may have had a daughter, Ann Cerise Miller Smith, born in 1927 at Stratford, Warwickshire.
    On the 1939 Register the family is at Stravon, School Street, Rugby, where Frank is headmaster (his birth date given as Nov 15th 1892)

    PS There are a few further references to headmaster Frank Miller Smith on the newspapers of the 1930’s and 1940’s … if you have Findmypast or a similar site.

    Best wishes,
    Dave

  47. Lynne Warren (Rigley) Reply

    William Hawkins and Rutland Iron Foundry

    Hi Dave,

    I’ve just read with great interest the article on William Hawkins and the Rutland Iron Foundry. William was my grandfather’s grandfather, and although I’ve not had great success in finding anything out about the Foundry on the internet, I was inspired to look this evening after visiting the Erewash Museum today. I went to see the photograph of William Hawkins (while visiting Ilkeston), but unfortunately it is currently in storage. Your article has so much information in one place, and that was wonderful to see!

    By a strange coincidence, I am from Ontario where some of the other Hawkins descendants were born, and I’m wondering if it’s possible to connect us? S Hawkins is a great grandchild of William and Ann, and their first child Eliza was my great grandmother. It would be wonderful to share information and make a family connection. (I have seen a copy of William’s will, and he died in 1919.)

    Thank you for your site!

    Dave replied…

    I am pleased to see that you found this site of some use Lynne. Sadly I have lost the email address of ‘S Hawkins’ .. I would gladly have tried to put you in contact.
    I will of course post your comment and hope that some contact follows … with any ‘Hawkins’ connection.

    P.S. If you have any further detail on William’s death or on his will, please do feel free to share it

  48. George Robey Reply

    John Robey of Robey’s Yard

    Hi Dave & Team

    very interested in your article about Robey’s yard. I’m researching my family name (Robey) and the connection between my side of the family and its Trent Valley origins. Can you share with me the information that you have about John Robey and his parentage as I had previously had him as the son of James Robey and Mary Sylvester rather than John Robey & Mary Dunnicliffe (whose son William (1819-1906) moved to London sometime around 1841) and is my 2x Grandfather.
    The link back to John & Mary Dunnicliffe has proved to be very troublesome so I’m naturally very interested in the information that you have.
    Thanks for an excellent site.

    Reply … George,

    If we start with the John’s marriage … this was to Hannah Bower on Nov 17th 1844 at Radford Parish Church in Nottingham. The details describe him as a gardener of Hyson Green, the son of John, also a gardener. Hannah was the daughter of Gervis/Jervis and Hannah (nee Bower), a cattle dealer living in the Little Hallam/Kensington area of Ilkeston at that time (Gervis was born in Trowell, Notts)
    The first (and only?) child of John and Hannah was born in Ilkeston … he was John Bower Robey, born on Aug 13th 1850 and baptised at St Mary’s Church on Sept 12th 1850. On that same day father John was also baptised .. the records of St Mary show he was the son of John (another gardener !!) and Mary, born on June 8th 1824.
    So we have three Johns … grandfather, father and son. From census returns it looks like grandfather was born in Melbourne, father was born either in Melbourne or in Nottingham while son was born in Ilkeston.
    Hannah Robey (nee Bower) died in March 1881 and I believe that widower John remarried to widow Frances Hargreaves (nee Lowe) later in that same year … at Babbington Chapel near Awsworth, Notts. (I don’t have details of that marriage).

    Does this help? If you need more information and I might be able to add it, please do ask.

    Dave

  49. Alan Reply

    William Toplis/s

    Very interesting blog and atrove of information.
    I was wondering if you had any further information on William Topliss who was a Pupil Teacher at the British School on Bath Street. From what I can gather William was the Great Uncle of Percy Topliss – the so-called Monocled Mutineer. I have found William in the census of 1961 (1861?) living at 61 South Street with Ann Topliss (widow) and Herbert Topliss (Percy’s grandfather). Ann was their grandmother (her husband George appears to have died) According to the 1871 Census he appears to have moved to Marylebone, London where his profession is listed as ‘Butler’. This seemed such a departure I was wondering if there was some logic to it. He was living at Seymour Place which I believe has some links to the nonconformity/congregationalist movement under Wakefield’s John Goodwyn Barmby. His young family shared a house with a Benjamin Mordecai – a Covent Garden ‘fruit merchant’. Happy to share the census info.
    Witnesses said Percy was very fond of religious hymns and they made up the bulk of his repertoire on the piano.

    Alan,
    Thanks for sharing this information.
    If you look again at the information on William Toplis on the Old Ilkeston site (at Burgin’s Yard and Row) you will see that William died in 1866 while Herbert moved to Oldham, Lancashire.
    I believe that the William Topliss living at Seymour Place on the 1871 census cannot therefore be the ‘Ilkeston William’ … your William was born in Shardlow (not Ilkeston) and you can find him on the 1861 and 1851 census, the latter showing him living with his parents William and Mary, and his siblings, at Shardlow. You will find that he was baptised at Shardlow St. James Church on Mar 24th 1844.
    In sum therefore, I believe that the ‘Monocled Mutineer’ didn’t have Ilkeston connections.
    Dave

  50. Alan Morris Reply

    Ball and Davis families

    It’s fascinating to have found such a well organised and researched website as yours. Thank you
    After more than 20 months of research and two mistaken trails I finally found the lineage of my Great-Grandmother Caroline Davis. Her father who I identified courtesy of Census and Ilkeston Non-Conformist records was Frank Davis, born 1817 of John and I think Ann (Riley). Her mother Sarah Ann Ball was born in Loughborough in 1820 and married Frank in Nottingham in 1838.
    Given that there are so many Balls in the Ilkeston website and that it is clear that both her family and that of Frank were engaged in the Lace industry (he had moved to Loughborough by 1841 and is described as a Warp Machine Engineer in later census records in South East London), I am trying to establish the connection of the Loughborough Balls to those of Ilkeston.
    I’d also like to know of any lines of research that may better establish the family line of Frank who was apparently born in Shipley Wood.
    One other question that someone may be able to help with are the names Alexander and Rueben (sometimes together) that crop up across the Davis family and their descendants for at least 3 generations.

    Reply from Dave …
    Alan,
    At present, I can’t see a connection between the Balls of Loughborough and any of the families in Ilkeston.

    I agree that Frank was the (youngest) child of John and Ann (Riley) who married in February 1805 at Heanor.
    His older siblings were Joseph (b1806) who married Elizabeth Bradley in 1825; George (1808) who married Mary Ann Bradley, Elizabeth’s sister, in 1827; James (1810) who married Charlotte Beardsley in 1828; and Mary Ann (1813) who married Benjamin Simpson in 1833, then John Williams in 1838, and then George Dutton in 1840.

    I know that there are others much better informed than me about families in Heanor/ Shipley/ Marlpool etc. Let’s hope they might help ?

  51. Janet Pritchard Reply

    John Wigley from who knows where ??

    Good Morning,
    I am from Australia and searching for a John Wigley born around 1796 he was a Commercial Clerk by trade, married a Harriott Porter in 1824 Birmingham with children in the 1841 Census born out of county, can’t find him and where he came from have all other details. Their son George Henry Wigley married a Mariam Cross from Stebbing and came out to Australia onboard the Vessel Netherby which was wrecked near Kings Island at the bottom of Australia, no lives were lost a truly great story. Your Web page is truly remarkable.
    Kindest Regards,
    Janet Pritchard

    Reply from Dave ….
    Janet,
    There is no obvious connection between your John Wigley and the Wigleys of Ilkeston.
    I have located him on the 1841 census, with his family, and then his children on the 1851 census, living as a group, without their parents … presumably dead ?
    With the exception of John they all have Birmingham connections …. really John could have been born anywhere.
    Sometimes marriage details show if one of the parties was a ‘foreigner/sojourner’ and might show their parish ?
    Sorry to perpetuate your brick wall.
    Perhaps someone else reading this has an idea ??

    Dave

  52. Pip Reply

    The grave of Samuel Whitehead.

    Hi,
    I was very interested in your Samuel whiteheads story..I have looking for the graves of old WATERLOO local veterans .I have looked around St Mary’s Ilkeston but couldn’t find the graves. Have you any idea where it might be.?

    Reply from Dave.

    Pip,
    The grave of Samuel was located not in the main churchyard of St. Mary’s but in the extension Churchyard. This is to be found on the other side of Chalons Way. It can be accessed by a variety of routes.

    I remember seeing the grave several years ago when it was in plain sight and the stone was relatively easy to read. The extension has been neglected in recent years I believe and the stone may be overgrown or have disappeared.

    Dave

    Pip replied ….
    Thank you .I will try and have another look.

  53. Zena Joyce nee Duro Reply

    The Nag’s Head and the Duro family
    This is a brilliant website, I have been working on the Duro family tree and found William and Lucretia who owned the Nag’s Head. I used to go drinking in there with my girl friends in the 1970’s and never knew that my ancestors had been Landlord and Landlady in around 1865. This website has also given me the next generation as William’s parents were Richard and Mary nee Beardsley so I am hoping to go back further than 1813 which is when William was born.
    Thank you so much.
    Zena

    Zena,
    Thank you for these supportive and kind comments.
    I think I visited most Ilkeston pubs in my teens but I can never recall gracing the Nag’s Head with my custom — or the Prince of Wales opposite.

    Dave

  54. beverle Tracey ne henson Reply

    The Henson family

    Hi
    I’m new to all this but I’ve been searching family on my dads side .there seems to be a lot my dad George was one of nine children his dad Richard Alfred was born in 1896 married Harriet Waterall .Richard a dad is also called Richard and his dad is Richard most of my family are from Ilkeston or surrounding areas
    I didn’t know dad well but have recently found his siblings families
    We are having a reunion of the Henson line in July
    I was wondering if you know of any stories relating to any of the Henson’s
    It would be great to get an invite into there lives as I know very little at the moment x thanks for reading x

    • Dave Reply

      Beverle,

      As you can see I have put your post on the site, in the hope that someone may be able to help/reply with information.

      Looking at the records on line, it seems to me that your dad George was born on Oct 12th 1929 and at the beginning of the Second World War was living with his family in the Eastwood district.
      At that time his father Richard Alfred (born Jan 3rd 1896) was a coalminer. With him was wife Harriet (Dec 18th 1894) and George’s siblings, Richard Alfred junr (May 4th 1919); Isaac (Apr 30 1921); Reginald (Aug 30th 1923); Jasper Melbourn (Oct 18th 1924); Dorothy (1932); June (1934); Barry (1938) (There was another child, Joan, born in 1927 but she appears to have died in 1929?)

      It seems that Harriet Henson (nee Wateral) was an Ilkeston lass, the daughter of coalminer Joel and Mary Eliza (nee Hardy), and lived most of her early life in Grass Street, Ilkeston.

      Perhaps there is someone who could add more detail for you?

      Dave

  55. Dawn Turner Reply

    Heanor Road industries

    Hi Dave

    Firstly thanks to you and everybody else who’s helped put this great resource together. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed visiting it many times.

    I wonder if you can shed any light on something for me. I am based in Shed 2 Studios which the middle of three buildings up an alleyway to the left side of Norton Plastics old factory on Heanor Road.

    I understand that these three buildings belonged to the factory, certainly in the WW2 days, and that our particular unit was ‘British Restaurant’ as well as school dining for Holy Trinity and Granby.

    I can find a reasonable amount of history on the factory, and even found evidence that the first building (now Jane Stapleton Photography , was the plumbers) was built prior to our building and the one next door which adjoins across the back – I came across a map online showing only that building, but later maps show all three.

    What I cannot find is this – at the apex, all three buildings have a round window. The first building has been modernised, so haven’t seen it’s original. The third building’s window was boarded up a long while ago.

    Ours has a six pointed star, looks like the Star Of David. I can’t find if this is significant in any way, and wondered if you could shed any light?

    I don’t actually know whether all three buildings were built whilst owned by Baileys, or subsequently under the Hewitt’s or Carriers.

    Many thanks if you can help!

    • Dave Reply

      Dawn,

      I can’t help with your specific question but I have put your comment onto the web site.
      Perhaps there is a reader who might be able to provide some answers.
      In the meantime I will send you some ‘general’ information on this factory complex off site.

      Dave

  56. clare sharp Reply

    George Clay Smith

    HI
    I have been researching George smith who murdered his father in 1861 and came across Early/mid-Victorian Ilkeston and its people. in it you state that georges brother married lizzie riley. I have him marrying ruth Hutchinson and is with his wifes father on the census records in 1871.
    Name:
    Henry Smith

    Age:28 /Estimated birth year:abt 1843 /Relation:Lodger /Spouse’s Name:Ruth Smith /Gender:Male /Where born:Ilkeston, Derbyshire,England /Civil Parish:Ilkeston /Ecclesiastical parish:St Mary /Town:Ilkeston /County/Island:Derbyshire /Country:England /Registration district:Basford /Sub-registration district:Ilkeston ED, institution, or vessel:11 /Household schedule number:277/Piece:3482 /Folio:68 /Page Number:56 /

    Household Members:
    Thomas Hutchinson 59
    Sarah Hutchinson 55
    Catherine Hutchinson 17
    Henry Smith 28
    Ruth Smith 26
    Annie Smith 5
    Obadiah Smith 3
    Agnes Smith 1

    I MIGHT BE WRONG … IF YOU CAN HELP

    Dave replied …
    Clare,

    Henry Smith, the son of cordwainer Joseph Smith, married Elizabeth Riley on Nov 27th 1867 at Christ Church, Cotmanhay. If you look at the marriage details you will see that they fit. Like his father he was a shoemaker all his working life.
    There were other Henry Smiths born in Ilkeston around 1842/43/44.
    The Henry Smith who married Ruth Hutchinson did so at Ilkeston Baptist Chapel on June 20th 1865 (I believe) … I think he was the son of William but you would need to see the marriage details to confirm that .. he was a coalminer and lived with his in-laws and then eventually moved to Hunslet, Leeds with his wife Ruth and family.
    Dave

    And Clare replied …
    Thanks for the reply and I worked it out I was wrong. I am a relative of theirs so was important for me to figure it out. thanks anyway.

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