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As originally discussed on this topic viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3717&start=15

Yesterday I visited my local archives and obtained a copy of the marriage for Ruth Ford to Stephen Cooper. Stephen has been really easy to trace but Ruth. Well she has been a different kettle of fish! Ruth was born anywhere between 1843 and 1847 (though the only freebmd reference is Births Sep 1845 Ford Ruth Stoke upon Trent 17 158), her father was Richard Ford. I believe I have found her on all census except the 1851....can anyone help please?

Below are the census results that I do have as well as the marriage.

20 Nov 1869 Christchurch, Cobridge
Stephen Cooper, 26, B, Potter, Burslem, Stephen Cooper, Potter
Ruth Ford, 23, S, Burslem, Richard Ford, Collier
Wit: Aaron Leigh & Emily Ford

1861
RG9/1928 folio 13 pg 19 & 20
126 Liverpool Road, Burslem
Faller James 41 Head Potter Walea, Swansea
Faller Elizabeth 36 Wife Hanley, Staffordshire
Faller William 4 Son Scholar Burslem, Staffordshire
Faller Maria 6 Daughter Scholar Burslem, Staffordshire
Faller Alice 2 Daughter Burslem, Staffordshire
Faller Ann 11 M Daughter Burslem, Staffordshire
Ford Ruth 15 Servant Longton, Staffordshire

1871
RG10/2838 folio 18 pg27
High Street Wolstanton
Stephen Cooper, Head, M, 27, Presser, b.Chesterton
Ruth, Wife, M, 26, b.Longton
William Hy, Son, 1, b.Burslem

1881
RG11/2704 folio 67 pg32
May Bank
Stephen Cooper, Head, M, 39, Potter, b.Red Street
Ruth, Wife, M, 37, b.Longton
Sarah Jane, Dau, 16, Transferer, b.Burslem
William Hy, Son, 12, Scholar b.Burslem
Elizabeth, Dau, 10, Scholar, b.Wolstanton
Frederick, Son, 6, Scholar, b.Wolstanton
Mary Ellen, Dau, 4, b.Wolstanton
Annie, Dau, 3, b.Wolstanton
Alice Maud, Dau, 1, b.Wolstanton

1891
RG12/2145 folio 27 pg 14
Mastyn House, Blythe Bridge
Cook for Thomas Forrester & family.
Forester Thomas 58 Head Manufacturer St Helens, Lancashire
Forester Mary Anne 58 Wife Stoke, Staffordshire
Forester Elizabeth 18 Daughter Stoke, Staffordshire
Forester Mary Ann 16 Daughter Stoke, Staffordshire
Forester Victor 14 Son -, Belgium
Forester Emily M 12 Grand Daughter Stoke, Staffordshire
Corbet Florence 21 Visitor Teacher Birmingham, Staffordshire
Cooper Ruth 47 Servant Cook Domestic Longton, Staffordshire
Riley Alice 21 Servant Servant Domestic Cheadle, Staffordshire

1901
RG13/2608 folio 8 page 8
25 Glebe Street, Stoke Upon Trent
Cooper John 67 Head Potters printer Hanley, Staffordshire
Cooper Lucy 56 Wife Care Taker Of Officer Longton, Staffordshire
Cooper Alice M 20 Daughter Potters Paintress Earth Wotstantan, Staffordshire

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Mel

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Another headache
The only Ruth Ford with father Richard I can find in the 1851 is in Rochdale, born and bred.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Thanks Gloria. I drew the same blank. I'll have a go using ancestry the next time I go to the archives

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Mel

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Hi,

I don`t know where to start with this one But bear with me I took a sideways stab at the Emily Ford who was a witness on the marriage.

Check out the Emily Cook (Cork) aged 9 months born Clitheroe Lancashire on the 1851 census. mother probably Elizabeth Cook/Cork aged 33, unmarried born Bloorpipe? Staffs HO107/2035 Folio 106 page 25 for Stourbridge Worcs. They are lodging so there are no relationships. Although they have been transcribed on Ancestry as Cook I think it is Cork. with them is a Ruth Cork aged 6 born Lane End.

There is no registration for an Emily Cork/Cook in Clitheroe on http://www.lancashirebmd.org.uk , but low and behold there is an Emily Ford registered Clitheroe in 1850 - mothers maiden name Cork.

Move forward to the 1861 and hey...

Podmor? St., Burslem Staffs
Richard Ford, Head, Mar,49, Mine Labourer, Staffs Standon
Elizabeth, Wife, Mar, 42, Laundress, Staffs Bloor Pipe
William, Son, 20, Mine Labourer, Clitheroe Lancashire
EMILY, Daur, 11, Scholar, Clitheroe Lancashire
Joseph, Son, 4, Scholar, Staffs Burslem
RG9/1930 Folio 72 page 31

Sorry I am not good on Staffordshire place names.

Could Ruth Ford actually be Ruth Cork?

Regards,
Mo

Thanks Mo.

Nothing would surprise me with this family to be honest. I limited my search to Staffordshire. Felt quite sure that they would not have ventured elsewhere. Lane End is a local name for one of the districts within Longton here in SoT. Not sure about Bloorpipe.

My only doubt here is that I have a birth reference for Ruth 'Ford', can't understand why she would show as Cork/Cook or why a later child would be a Cork/Cook unless Richard was married twice? The 1861 without Ruth is interesting as she was elsewhere and does back up the theory of the 1851.

Think I might have to put this family to bed until I have the time to give to it. It's not one of those that will fall into place easily is it.

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Mel

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It looks like that is probably the one Mo. Baffled though

Staffordshire Marriage indexes for the years: 1840
Surname Forename(s) Surname Forename(s) Church / Register Office Registers At Reference
FORD Richard CORK Elizabeth Eccleshall, Holy Trinity Stafford CE26/01/69

If they married in 1840, why would Elizabeth register her children as Cork?

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Mel

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Hi,

I meant to include that marriage last night - sorry. I think Bloorpipe is west of Stafford after googling it. Probably around Eccleshall. It is not on the maps though.

Its only on the 1851 census that Richard disappears along with William who would be 10 and Elizabeth has reverted back to her maiden name Cork. The children were all registered at birth as Ford by the looks of it including Emily in Clitheroe. I wonder if Elizabeth had left him for whatever reason

By the way, son William I think was born Bloorpipe, It may be an enumerators error on the 1861 census where it states Clitheroe.

Mo

I found Martha in 1861. She gives her birthplace as Fair Oak which is just west of Eccleshall as is Standon, Richards birthplace.

1861
RG9/1931 folio 125 pg 20
51 Well Street, Hanley Stoke On Trent
Hardshorn James 22 Head Coal Miner Hanley, Staffordshire
Hardshorn Sarah 24 Wife Boot Binder Moddershall, Staffordshire
Smith Herbert 3 Step Son Stone, Staffordshire
Harlsham Josiah 1 Son Hanley, Staffordshire
Ford Martha 19 Lodger Earthenware Cleaner Tain Oak, Staffordshire

As for William, on the census image,Clitheroe has been written over with 'do do' so I guess it was Bloor Pipe. I suppose it could be the name of a farm or tiny hamlet?


Thanks Mo and Gloria for your help

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Mel

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Crikey they weren't an easy family to follow were they???

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Tell me about it!
Just typical of my mother in law really. It's her lot.

_________________
Mel

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_________________
Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Better behave now. Just sent m-in-law the link to this topic so that she can keep up with the thoughts surrounding her awkward family. Is awkwardness hereditary

She has a good sense of humour. We were out last night for a meal at their eldest sons house. She didn't half take some stick from my sister-in-law....and me

_________________
Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

In answer to your question "is awkwardness hereditary?"---yes I think it is.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.