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Hi
My GG Grandfather was in Walton Gaol in the 1891 census. His name was William Fleming, he was a sailor/mariner and he was born 1855/6/7 in Ireland.
As far as I can tell he wasn't in for long because he was in the Electoral Register at his home address for 1889-90 and had a child born in Apr-May-Jun 1892.
I've searched the newspaper reports from the Liverpool Assizes and Police Courts and can't find any mention of him. There is also no sign of him in the Criminal Register on Ancestry. How else can I find out what he was in for?
Are there any records from the prison itself in existence for that period? Liverpool Record office say they don't have any, but they could be somewhere else?

I have a mysterious ancestor whose name seemed to change half way through his life and I would very much appreciate everyone's advice as I can't seem to figure it out.

The details I have are:
1850 –   Marriage Cert – July 17th
James Ashworth Spencer married Mary Ann Walch in Bolton (residence = Egerton)
James’ surname is Spencer but he gives his father’s name as Robert Ashworth
James’ profession is ‘Factory Hand’

1850 –   BMD - Oct-Nov-Dec
Son, Eli Spencer born - Bolton

1851 –    Census
Mary Ann Spencer living with her family in Egerton with baby Eli
James Spencer lodging in Radcliffe – his profession is ‘Watchman’

1852 –   Birth Cert – Sept 27th
Son, John Spencer born, Egerton – his father’s profession is ‘Crofter’

1852 –   BMD – Oct-Nov-Dec
Son, Eli Spencer dies - Bolton

THEN

1861 –   Census
James ASHWORTH living in Radcliffe with new wife Ellen
Son, John is now called John ASHWORTH
They have a 1 yr old daughter, Betty
James’ new profession is Manufacturing Chemist

1871 –   Census
James Spencer Ashworth, Manufacturing Chemist, living in Radcliffe with new wife Mary
Several more children. All, including his wife seem to have the middle initial S (presumably Spencer).
His mother is living with them – she is called Mary ASHWORTH (without the Spencer).

1881 –   Census
James S. Ashworth, Manufacturing Chemist Master, living in Radcliffe with another new wife, Margaret. Again, whole family including wife have middle initial S for Spencer.
His son John has a family by this point - they are all called Spencer Ashworth.

1890 -   Death Certificate
Name = James Spencer Ashworth

So you see, his surname changes from Spencer to Ashworth between his first and second wives at about the time he moves from the Turton/Egerton area over to Radcliffe and marries his second wife. Could this be to cover up bigamy? I can't find the death of Mary Ann Spencer anywhere but I cannot find her in any later censuses either.

He seems to have been illegitimate as his surname was Spencer but his father's surname was Ashworth on his marriage certificate. However, when his mother is living with him in 1871, her surname is Ashworth, which doesn't make any sense. As he was born in 1832, I cannot get his birth certificate and I can't find the parish records for Turton/Edgworth - a trip to the Bolton record office may be in order.

Also his name change seems to coincide with a change in his fortunes when he goes from fairly lowly jobs to being a manufacturing chemist. His chemical works seems to have been very successful and by the time his son John (who took over the family business) died, the estate was worth the equivalent of nearly £2 million when translated into today's money.

His children, grandchildren, etc. all kept Spencer as a middle name and some relatives are still called Spencer Ashworth today - but no one seems to know why.

So there you go! Any theories as to what happened here will be very welcome! Bigamy? Illegitimacy? Maybe his father left him some money to set up his business on the condition that he changed his name to Ashworth. But could you just change your name willy-nilly in those days or would you have to do it officially?

I am desperately trying to find the grave of my great great great grandfather James Spencer Ashworth who lived at Dumers Lane, Radcliffe and died 5/11/1890.

Does anyone have access to old issues of the local papers? My only idea is to see if it mentions in the death notice where he'll be buried.

Also, it seems that he didn't die at home but at his son's house in Calderbrook so I don't know if this would make a difference as to where he was buried and where the death notice would be published.

Apparently he was quite a wealthy and successful man an has a very impressive monument - I just have no idea where it is!

My mother would love to see this grave as she thinks it is possibly where her aunt and grandmother are buried also.

Any help would be most gratefully received!

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Hi
Would somebody be able to look up the Mina/Moynagh/Moyna family for me. I know they were living at 95 Vauxhall Rd in 1848 so I guess they'd still be there in the 1851 census.

They should consist of at least some of the following:
Parents - Patrick and Susannah - both born Ireland.
Children - Hugh, Sarah, Susannah, Catherine, Patrick Henry, Annie - all born in Liverpool, Ireland or Ashton-under-Lyne.

Thanks!

Clare
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