Tracing Sarah's mother

[suttontrust]

In reading the account of the inquest into the death of Sarah Parkin nee Furness in 1882 I learned that her mother lived near enough for Sarah's husband to take the baby to her when Sarah went missing.  Sarah lived in School St., Liversedge, W. Yorkshire.  The only thing I know about Sarah's parents is that her father was called George, and there are too many George Furnesses in the area, even assuming he was still alive.  So I've trawled the 1881 online for possibilities for her mother.  The only one I can come up with is Martha Furness, widow, aged 82, born in Robertown (Sarah's birthplace) and living at "Bottom of Common", Hartshead, with her son and family.  Could someone with access to the 1871 census look her up for me, please.  It might help to confirm or refute the theory.

[Hackstaple]

Only this possible:
  Mary Furness
Age in 1871:    56 
Estimated birth year:    1815 
Relation:    Boarder 
Where born:    Robertown, Yorkshire, England
     
Civil parish:    Liversedge 
Ecclesiastical parish:    All Saints 
Town:    Robertown 
County/Island:    Yorkshire 
Source information:    RG10/4593
Registration district:    Dewsbury 
Sub-registration district:    Liversedge 
ED, institution, or vessel:    13 
Folio:    70 
Page:    29 
Household schedule number:    142

I will add to this in a modification, shortly:
 
Eliza Furness 20  Robertown, Yorkshire, England Boarder  Liversedge  Yorkshire   
George Furness 17  Robertown, Yorkshire, England Boarder  Liversedge  Yorkshire   
John Furness 30  Robertown, Yorkshire, England Boarder  Liversedge  Yorkshire   
Joseph Furness 20  Robertown, Yorkshire, England Boarder  Liversedge  Yorkshire   
Mary Furness 56  Robertown, Yorkshire, England Boarder  Liversedge  Yorkshire   
William Furness 13  Robertown, Yorkshire, England Boarder  Liversedge  Yorkshire   
Mary A garfitt (Unknown) 9  Robertown, Yorkshire, England Boarder  Liversedge  Yorkshire   
John Stead 58  Robertown, Yorkshire, England Head  Liversedge  Yorkshire   

[Hackstaple]

By the way Mary was acting as John Stead's "Housekeeper". Comfy, having moved her whole family in as well.

[suttontrust]

That certainly looks a strong possibility, thanks.  Does it say Mary was a widow?  I'll look for her on the 1881.

[suttontrust]

I can't find Mary on the 1881.  I tried looking for her as Mary Stead (on the obvious grounds) but there's only a Mary married to William Stead in Cleckheaton, and born in Cleckheaton.

[casalguidi]

Hi Suttontrust

Might this help?

1871 census

Lime St, Cleckheaton

Martha FURNESS head wid 51
Benjamin son unm 21 coal miner
Elizabeth dau unm 20
Judith dau 16
Rachel dau 11

All born Liversidge

RG10/4434 folio 59 page 6

I recognise the street as the same one in which George PARKIN & Sarah were living in 1881 so a possibility does look likely doesn't it?  Hopefully the earlier census returns should sort it for you.

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[casalguidi]

I've just realised that there is a discrepancy in the ages of your Martha in 1881 and this one in 1871

Casalguidi

[suttontrust]

It's not the same Martha, but looks a strong possibility, assuming she was still alive in 1882.  Thanks.

[suttontrust]

Casalguidi, I've looked for this Martha Furness on the 1881 and the only possibility was in a pauper asylum i.e. the workhouse!  The trouble is there were loads of Furnesses in the area, all probably interrelated and all with the same small range of names.  Thanks for trying.