I've traced my Worsleys back to 1781, but I have one blank in the middle of that - my great grandfather, John Worsley. His parents were Joseph and Esther Worsley and they farmed at Tockholes and Darwen, Lancashire. John would be born around 1867. He married his first wife, Ellen Simpson in 1893, she then died in childbirth in 1894 and is buried in the same grave as John's parents in Darwen cemetery. John then remarried in 1905 to Cecily Haydock and my grandfather was born at Hampson's Farm near Darwen in 1907. Later John farmed at Salmesbury until 1938 when his farm was a compulsory purchase for the building of Salmesbury Aerodrome (now BAE Systems). At that point, John and Cecily move to Egerton, Lancashire to be near to their son, my grandfather. Cecily dies in February 1939 and the death certificate gives her as the wife of John Worsley, Dairy Farmer, Retired. The informant for her death is my grandfather. I believe that John died at Winwick Hospital (mental hospital) at Warrington and my uncle thinks that was in 1947, I believe John died from a brain tumour.
That's what I know about John. Then you've got the mysteries.
1. I've been through the GRO indexes and ordered certificates that I thought might be his birth - they weren't him.
2. 1901 census - I can't find him anywhere. His daughter from his first marriage is living with her grandmother on her farm just outside Darwen.
3. Death. I can't find him in the GRO indexes, I've been through from 1938 to 1950 so far. I presume that if John had died before Cecily it would give him as deceased on her death certificate rather than retired, is that correct?
4. Burial. My uncle can't remember where his grandparents were buried, but can't find them in any of the local burial registers for Egerton and area. Would the fact that John was in a mental hospital make any difference for burial?
I'm thinking my next step will be looking for John in electoral registers. Any other suggestions on where to go next with hunting for him?
That's what I know about John. Then you've got the mysteries.
1. I've been through the GRO indexes and ordered certificates that I thought might be his birth - they weren't him.
2. 1901 census - I can't find him anywhere. His daughter from his first marriage is living with her grandmother on her farm just outside Darwen.
3. Death. I can't find him in the GRO indexes, I've been through from 1938 to 1950 so far. I presume that if John had died before Cecily it would give him as deceased on her death certificate rather than retired, is that correct?
4. Burial. My uncle can't remember where his grandparents were buried, but can't find them in any of the local burial registers for Egerton and area. Would the fact that John was in a mental hospital make any difference for burial?
I'm thinking my next step will be looking for John in electoral registers. Any other suggestions on where to go next with hunting for him?
