Thread: Woolley's - just impossible to trace!!

Hi,



I've been trying to trace this family for so long, and can only get so far back. Here is all the inormation I have, I'm hoping someone may be able to help.



It all starts with Barbara Wooley. (or Woolley - her marriage certificate has double L and her birth only one!)



She was born 23 Mar 1863 at 46 Hornby Street, Liverpool. The record of her birth states that her parents were Thomas Woolley and Mary "McGuinness".



Thomas was a "Joiner Journeyman".



After tearing my hair out for a long time, I finally found Thomas and Mary's marriage record. Although Mary's surname is spelt "Maginnis". They were married on 13 Dec 1852 at St Nicholas Church, Liverpool.



Thomas was of full age and a bachelor. his father is given as Robert Woolley a captain in the 51st regiment of foot (?)

Mary was also of full age and a spinster. her father is given as James Maginnis a stonemason.



They both lived at Portlans Street.



I have found the family on the 1871 census, although it seems Thomas has died by then as Mary is a widow:-



WoolleyMaryHeadborn LancashireWidowed39LiverpoolWoolleyRobertSonborn Lancashire16LiverpoolWoolleyCharlotteDaughterborn Lancashire10LiverpoolWoolleyMargaretDaughterborn Lancashire10LiverpoolWoolleyBarbaraDaughterborn Lancashire6LiverpoolWoolleyThomasSonborn Lancashire4LiverpoolWoolleyMargaretDaughterborn Lancashire2Liverpool



I can also find Barbara and her sister Charlotte on the 1881 census:-



PinningtonJamesHeadborn Liverpool2290 Brasenose Rd, KirkdaleLabourerPinningtonCharlotteWifeborn Liverpool2290 Brasenose Rd, KirkdalePinningtonAnnieDaughterborn Liverpool190 Brasenose Rd, KirkdaleWooleyBarbaraLodgerborn Liverpool1890 Brasenose Rd, KirkdaleSoap Maker



But I can not find them any earlier than 1871. I can trace Charlotte and Barbara's families more recently (Barbara married a Matthew Major), but I have really struggled to find the family in 1861, 51 or 41. Nor can i determine what Thomas's mothers name was as I don't know how old he was when he was married to enable me to find his birth record. Similarly I can't find Mary's birth either!



Can anyone help at all?

You've probably seen this already?

Christening 12 Sep 1833 Thomas Woolley parents Robert Woolley & Dorothy

Gillian

hi,



thanks for that. I hadn't seen that before. that should help a lot!!

IGI has a Marriage for a

Robert Woolley & Dorothy Williams 31 Dec 1829 St Peter Church Street Liverpool Lancashire



Possible Children

Elizabeth Woolley Christening 5 Oct 1835 St Peter Liverpool

William Woolley Christening 7 Nov 1831 St Peter Liverpool

Thomas Woolley Christening 12 Sept 1833 St Peter Liverpool



Kiwi

Wow, thanks for that. I didn't expect to get so much help so quickly!! I'll have to see if I can find them on the earlier census's now.

If you manage to establish the connection you might want this -

Marriage 31.12 1829 St Peters Church St Liverpool Robert Woolley shoemaker to Dorothy Williams

Gillian

PS sorry - just seen you already have this! (but not Robert's occupation)

Thanks again - all the additional information is very welcome! I had a quick scan for a census entry in 1841 and 1851 earlier but didn't have much luck, I found a couple, one had thomas's birthdate as a lot earlier than the christening record would suggest, and the other had it a lot later! will look more thoroughly later to see if I can find the correct one.



Finding the 1861 census would be the best breakthrough really, as it would have thomas and mary together, with their eldest children, and would also show Thomas's birthyear. but i just can't find it.

Hi,



1861 Cencus

Woolley Thomas Head 50 Book Keeper Chester

Woolley Mary Wife 45 Chester

Woolley Jane Daug 25 Chester

Woolley Ellen Daug 23 Chester

Woolley Thomas Son 19 Printer Chester



41, Montague Street, West Derby, Liverpool.



RG09 / 2728 / 85 / 23

.........................................

Cook Charles Head 37 Porter Warehouse Coventry

Cook Jane Wife 35 Liverpool

Cook Mary C Daug 17 Liverpool

Cook Jane Elezh Daug 11 Scholar Liverpool

Cook James Son 8 Scholar Liverpool

Cook Charles Son 6 Scholar Liverpool

Cook Emma Daug 4 Scholar Liverpool

Cook Jane Daug 2 Liverpool

Cook Ellen Daug 1 mth Liverpool

Woolley Richard Boarder Marr 37 Sail Maker Liverpool

Woolley Thomas Son 15 Sail Maker & Merchant Office Liverpool

Woolley John Son 13 Scholar Liverpool

Woolley Richard Son 11 Scholar Liverpool



36 Cumming Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool



RG09 / 2706 / 133 / 22

Thanks for those Nana, not sure if either would be the Woolley's i'm after though as I'd have thought Robert, Charlotte and Margaret would have appeared on the 1861 census? Although i'm not convinced of how accurately the family have been transcribed as the 1871 census was down under "Nookey" and there are two daughters called Margaret?



I've just realised that the census returns i put in the first post didn't come through very well, so here they are again, more clearly.



1871 census, Liverpool



Woolley, Mary, 39, Head, Widowed, born Lancashire

Woolley, Robert, 16, Son, born Lancashire

Woolley, Charlotte, 10, Daur, born Lancashire

Woolley, Margaret 10, Daur, born Lancashire

Woolley, Barbara, 6, Daur, born Lancashire

Woolley, Thomas, 4, Son, born Lancashire

Woolley, Margaret , 2, Daur, born Lancashire



1881 census, 90 Brasenose Road, Kirkdale



Pinnington, James, 22, Head, born Liverpool, Labourer

Pinnington, Charlotte, 22, Wife, born Liverpool

Pinnington, Annie, 1, Daur, born Liverpool

Wooley, Barbara, 18, Lodger, born Liverpool, Soap maker

I wonder about this for Thomas father (from the National Archives site)

Robert Wooler born Colne Lancashire served in 51st Foot Regiment discharged age 30 covering dates 1807-1819

Gillian