Category Archives: Sheffield

Wedding Party: Burton Street, Sheffield

Published: February 13, 2007    Last modified: February 4, 2017

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Wedding Party, Burton Street, Hillsborough, Sheffield

According to my mother this photograph is of a wedding party at a house on Burton Street, Sheffield, Yorkshire, though she doesn't remember whose marriage was being celebrated.

Mother is the toddler on the front row dressed all in white and looking a little mesmerised. This photograph is most likely circa 1928.

Given time I'm hoping she will be able to identify some more of the children shown in this photograph and maybe even remember the names of the bride and groom.

Updates:
2007-08-02 I was contacted by some relatives who provided invaluable information regarding this photograph. To read more about the people in this photograph click here.

2016-11-06 The lady on the back row, second from the left, is Jessie WILLIAMSON (née Jessie RENWICK 1908-1982)

Elizabeth Wild (née Elizabeth Flowers) and Florence Ashforth (née Florence Flowers)

Published: February 11, 2007    Last modified: November 6, 2016

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Front row 4th from right Elizabeth Wild (née Flowers) 1867-Deceased
Front row 5th from right Florence Ashforth (née Flowers) 1876-1973

I'm not sure what the occasion is, but this photograph of Elizabeth WILD (née Elizabeth FLOWERS 1867-Deceased) (front row, 4th from the right) and Florence ASHFORTH (née Florence FLOWERS 1876-1973) (front row, 5th from the right) depicts everyone wearing their 'Sunday best'.

Judging by the number of babies, perhaps it was a mass christening? or maybe a 'Whit Walk', since the babies are well wrapped up and the adults are wearing their heavy coats. Whatever the occasion their adult men folk are nowhere to be seen, though more likely, they are all still in the pub, celebrating.

One cannot but admire such a fine collection of hats! One of my main recollections regarding my great grandmother Florence ASHFORTH (née Florence FLOWERS 1876-1973) is that of her hats. Usually large, black, cylindrical and appeared to be made of straw. The hat she is wearing on this occasion is typical of her style.

Notes:
Studying the background of this photograph, in particular the stone wall, I can't help but feel this is on a banking surrounding the perimeter wall of Hillsborough Barracks, possibly at the top end of Capel Street or Swamp Walk.

George Ellis 1860-Deceased

Published: February 5, 2007    Last modified: May 22, 2022

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George Ellis 1860-Deceased

This photograph of my great grandfather George ELLIS 1860-Deceased must rank as one of the oldest in our family collection. Though I have not spent too much time investigating my ELLIS branch, I'm sure if I find time to visit the Sheffield Register Office I should be able to obtain at least his marriage certificate.

George ELLIS 1860-Deceased was born at Sheffield, Yorkshire and married Emily ROSEWARNE 1865-1944 during September 1882 at Sheffield.

According to my mother George was a very wealthy individual (when compared to others in the family). He owned his own factory probably grinding files, and a great deal of residential rental property in Sheffield and Rotherham. My mother recalls going out and about with him to collect rent from his tenants.

Obtaining a marriage certificate for this couple together with their birth certificates needs to be added to my 'Tasks'. Hopefully I can then establish their parents names and hopefully some indication as to where in Sheffield their respective families resided.

Updates:
2007-04-22 I have now obtained the marriage certificate for George ELLIS 1860-Deceased and Emily ROSEWARNE 1865-1944. To read this update click here.

2007-08-04 To view my transcription of this marriage certificate click here.

Harry Renwick and Jessie Renwick (née Jessie Ashforth)

Published: February 4, 2007    Last modified: May 22, 2022

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Front row l-r: Frank Renwick, Harry Renwick, Ethel Ashforth, Ellen Ashforth (née Ellen Tomlinson), Ernest Renwick
Back row l-r: Clara Renwick, Robert Renwick, Jessie Renwick

Like most families we have 'shoe boxes' and 'biscuit tins' stuffed full of old photographs. Sadly most of these photographs have never been catalogued and so the subject or place can no longer be identified. My mother is custodian of our family's collection, so borrowing a few at a time I am hoping to digitally scan as many as possible. Beginning with those which we can readily identify I hope to archive these to both digital and paper based media.

This is one such photograph. It depicts Harry RENWICK 1885-1959, his children, sister-in-law and mother-in-law. Since his wife Jessie RENWICK (née Jessie ASHFORTH 1887-1954), my great grand aunt, was alive and well is not in the photograph we can only assume she was probably behind the camera. This photograph was taken in the backyard of one of the hundreds of terraced houses on and around Burton Street, Sheffield. Harry RENWICK 1885-1959 and Jessie RENWICK (née Jessie ASHFORTH 1887-1954) and family lived at 41 Burton Street just above Burton Street School which I believe is now a community centre.

Fortunately my mother is blessed with a superb memory and can identify all those in the above photograph. After further research here is some additional information:

Frank RENWICK 1915-1949 - died of TB, aged about 23 years.
Harry RENWICK 1885-1959 - married Jessie ASHFORTH 1887-1954
Ethel ASHFORTH 1889-Deceased - suffered from epilepsy and was eventually admitted to Middlewood Hospital, Sheffield where she remained until her death.
Ellen ASHFORTH (née Ellen TOMLINSON 1855-1943) - my great grandmother, lived into her nineties.
Ernest RENWICK 1918-Deceased
Clara RENWICK 1912-Deceased - married John BARBER Deceased.
Robert RENWICK Deceased - died of Tuberculosis, aged about 23 years.
Jessie RENWICK 1908-1982 - emigrated to New Zealand and married Henry James WILLIAMSON 1894-1965.

Updates:
2007-08-02 Thanks must go to SH for leaving the comments re: RENWICKS / ASHFORTHS.

"The pictures you have of the wedding party are my great grand parents Harry RENWICK 1885-1959 and Jessie RENWICK (née Jessie ASHFORTH 1887-1954). I was born at 41 Burton Street, we have photos of Clara (my grandmother) and she did not emigrate to New Zealand but her sister Jessie did." - SH

"Harry RENWICK 1885-1959 is my great grandfather, Clara RENWICK 1912- is my grand mother who married John BARBER, my mothers name was Joan BARBER and she had a sister called Rene and a brother called Jack. Ernest RENWICK 1918- was my uncle, my sister and I visit the ASHFORTH and RENWICK graves at Wardsend Cemetery. We have several family photos of all these people and also Frank and Bob. I was born at 41 Burton Street where we used to live with my great grandparents, sadly my grandparents and my own parents are deceased, I would love to hear from anyone who knows of our family." - SH

I have amended some of the details and hope this time to have correctly identified everyone.

2007-09-09 I am still rather confused over the boys' names in this photograph. Subsequent research leads me to question my previous research. To read a later post outlining this issue click here.

2008-12-30 Further research shows Ellen ASHFORTH's maiden name to be TOMLINSON not PASLEY so I have amended this article.

2010-11-02 To read about my visit to Wardsend Cemetery and the location of a RENWICK / ASHFORTH grave please click here.

Old Comments:

These are my great great
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2016-06-23 11:32
These are my great great grandparents. This is amazing.

Ashforth and Renwicks
Submitted by susan horsfield on Sat, 2007-07-14 21:34

The pictures you have of the wedding party are my great grand parents Harry and Jessie Renwick. I was born at 41 Burton Street, we have photos of Clara (my grandmother) and she did not emigrate to New Zealand but her sister Jessie did. If you would like any further information please contact me.

Edit: Email address removed to thwart spammers.

George William Frost and Mary Ann Whitham: Marriage

Published: January 28, 2007    Last modified: November 14, 2016

In this previous post I recorded George FROST and Mary Ann WHITHAM being the witnesses at the marriage of Joseph BELLAMY 1857-Deceased and Mary Ann BELLAMY (née Mary Ann TURNER 1861-Deceased). Intuition told me these two witnesses were probably friends of Joseph and Mary Ann and it could be productive to spend a little time searching for a marriage between this couple.

This time my intuition proved correct and I found George William FROST and Mary Ann WHITHAM were married during September 1880 at Sheffield, Yorkshire.

Joseph Bellamy and Mary Ann Turner: Marriage Certificate

Published: January 25, 2007    Last modified: May 22, 2022

Here are the details from the Marriage Certificate of Joseph BELLAMY 1857-Deceased and Mary Ann BELLAMY (née Mary Ann TURNER 1861-Deceased).

Marriage Certificate
Registration District: Sheffield
Date: 1879
Marriage solemnized at: St Stephens Church in the Parish of St Stephens, Sheffield in the County of York
No.: 329
When Married: December 1st 1879
Name and Surname: Joseph Bellamy, Mary Ann Turner
Age: 23, 20
Condition: Batchelor, Spinster
Rank or Profession: File Cutter, _____
Residence at the time of Marriage: Bond Street, Bellefield Lane
Father's Name and Surname: William Bellamy, Edwin Turner
Rank or Profession of Father: File Cutter, Spring Knife Cutler
Married in the: Church of St Stephen according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, by____or
after Banns by me J N? Scholefield
This marriage was solemnised between us: Joseph Bellamy his X mark, Mary Ann Turner her X mark
in the Presence of us, George Frost, Mary Ann Whitham her X mark

Visit the website for the Church of Saint Stephen, Netherthorpe, Sheffield.

Photograph 1 of Church of Saint Stephen, Netherthorpe - GENUKI
Photograph 2 of Church of Saint Stephen, Netherthorpe - GENUKI

So now I can confirm Joseph BELLAMY 1857-Deceased's father as one William BELLAMY 1824-Deceased and Mary Ann BELLAMY (née Mary Ann TURNER 1861-Deceased)'s father as one Edwin TURNER 1827-Deceased. It also provides me with 2 hitherto unknown addresses.

Of further interest are the two witness names of George FROST and Mary Ann WHITHAM. Are they family or friends?

Joseph Law and Ann Moore

Published: January 1, 2006    Last modified: November 5, 2016

A search on FreeBMD returns a marriage for Joseph LAW for the September quarter of 1837. The most likely spouse by virtue of being the only 'Ann', is one Ann MOORE.
Once again this is conjecture but another visit to Sheffield Register Office may provide some answers.

Updates:
2007-09-13 To read an update to this post please click here.

George Flowers 1839-1891 and Harriet Law 1837-Deceased

Published: January 1, 2006    Last modified: November 5, 2016

Browsing the England and Wales Census 1841 I came across the household of Joseph and Ann LAW living at Trippet Lane, Sheffield, Yorkshire.

Joseph is 24 years of age and Ann 20. These may have been rounded down, though since Joseph's age is given as 24, I am not so sure.

Two children are recorded: Harriet LAW age 4 years and Joseph LAW age 7 months. Daughter Harriet's age is exactly as expected so perhaps I should pursue this line of research further.

Hopefully I can find a marriage for Joseph and Ann LAW and establish Ann's maiden name.

Updates:
2007-09-13 To read an update to this post click here.

William Bellamy 1824-Deceased and Emma Bradshaw 1830-Deceased

Published: December 31, 2005    Last modified: May 22, 2022

The birth certificate I obtained for Joseph BELLAMY 1857-Deceased helped me confirm his mother to be one Emma Bellamy (née Emma BRADSHAW 1830-Deceased), born circa 1830 and at the time of Joseph's birth in 1857, living at 32 Castle Yard, Sheffield, Yorkshire.

The Census of England and Wales 1841 returns an 11 year old Emma BRADSHAW living with her parents William BRADSHAW and Elizabeth BRADSHAW in the Walkley district of Sheffield. William and Elizabeth were both born circa 1801.

Though I am once again in the realms of conjecture, my research does have an air of authority that is worth pursuing.

William BELLAMY has proved a little more difficult. My research has revealed several BELLAMYs whom are worth researching further, though at this time I cannot even propose a convincing hypothesis.

Sheffield Register Office: Yet again

Published: December 30, 2005    Last modified: May 22, 2022

Certificates

I happened to be in Sheffield today so I took the opportunity to call at the register office to check if the certificates I had requested were ready for collection.

The staff had retrieved the birth certificate of Joseph BELLAMY 1857-Deceased and the marriage certificate of Joseph BELLAMY 1857-Deceased and Mary Ann TURNER 1861-Deceased, but had not been able to locate a birth certificate for Mary Ann TURNER 1861-Deceased. The Deputy Registrar very kindly showed the number of searches his staff had carried out without yielding a useful result. They had obviously spent some considerable time on these searches for which I am very grateful and once again I express my appreciation of the registry office staff.

Having analysed the data from these certificates I have corroborated most of the findings from my original research. I have also established the maiden name of William BELLAMY 1824-Deceased's wife Emma: Emma BRADSHAW 1830-Deceased. The marriage certificate confirms Edwin TURNER 1827-Deceased to be the father of Mary Ann.