Would appreciate any suggestions on how to find the above couple after 1881. The story so far. My great x2 aunt Jane was born in Riccall in 1827 (parish register) and Thomas in Ripon (various ages on census). In 1841 Jane was a servant in Wistow. In 1851 she is living with Thomas Pickersgill (carpenter) 79 Ebenezer Place, York. I found the couple through searching for Jane’s brother William Silversides who is, fortunately, staying with her. In 1861, Jane and Thomas are living at Albert Street, York (Jane’s nephew Mark Saltmarsh is living with them). In 1871 and 1881, they are living 10 St Clements Terrace, York (Jane’s niece Jane Slater is staying in 1871). In 1881 it was strange that Thomas changed his occupation to Retired Tanner.
I had never been able to find a marriage for Jane and Thomas, however several newspaper articles in July 1881 “revealed all”. Thomas was in court for desertion of his wife in 1844 (she lived in Bradford) From the articles, there is reference to a woman who he had lived with who called herself “Mrs Pickersgill”, i.e. my Jane Silversides. The newspapers reported that Thomas was fairly well-off, owning his property, several cottages in Dale Street which he rented out, property in Driffield and had recently sold two houses to York Corporation for £600.
Without purchasing loads of random death certificates, my efforts to find them, particularly Jane, since 1881 have gone cold. I had hoped the Will route may lead to Thomas, alas I can’t see anything on Will Calendar I think would be him, having spent hours cross-referencing addresses etc. I have on my list to visit Wakefield Archives (who say they hold the Police Court records of 1881) to see if anything comes up in those as he had to pay his wife a weekly allowance).
Just wondered if going down the “property route” would lead to anything??? Any suggestions gratefully received.
Goughy
