Edith Rigby (suffragette) - news story (relatives sought)

[mshrmh]

Lancashire Probation Trust want to name a building in Preston after Edith Rigby and are seeking relatives for permission. according to the BBC's story Mrs Rigby died in 1948 & was a contemporary of the Pankhurst sisters (born 1880s).

I know we don't look for the living on here, but though a post might just possibly catch the eye of family or a keen researcher.

BBC story:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-16264822

Lancashire Probation Trust (with contact details):
http://www.probation-lancashire.org.uk/news/default_item.php?id=161

There's a blue plaque which has her dates as 1872-1948:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10089490@N06/822009632/in/set-72157600839792362/

[mshrmh]

I've just looked her up on the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography - dates differ 1872-1950; maiden name given as Rayner. Born Preston as second of seven children, father Alexander Clement Rayner (1841/2 - 1916) a surgeon & mother Mary ("Polly") nee Pilkington Sharples (no dates stated). According to the piece her husband was Charles Samuel Alfred Rigby (1858-1926) a doctor - marriage 1893. Also the article states they adopted a two year old (Arthur, known as Sandy) in 1905. It gives her death as at Erdmouth 23 July 1950.

They reference as a source "My Aunt Edith" by P Hesketh.


I wonder if Arthur/his family  would be considered descendants by the Probation Trust? If the ONDB is accurate there seems to be no blood-line direct descendants.

[Boy Scout]

Someone on Mundia has this lady and her husband on their tree.

They seem to be researching the Rigby family there is no reference to any children or adoption or any of Edith's work but of course they may not have published all they know. The tree has just over 1000 entries. I have left a link to this topic. It would widen their research.

Lets hope they know P Hesketh.

Boy Scout

[Boy Scout]

P Hesketh 1909-2005 was born Phoebe Rayner, her father was Arthur E Rayner she married in 1931 and had three children.

She was a respected poet.

I thought that this might help any reader to identify these seem the most likely relatives.

The adopted son seems to have been known as Sandy

Boy Scout