Sunday’s Obituary – Cyrus (Buckley) Whiteoak (1879-1911)

Cyrus (Buckley) Whiteoak is my 3rd cousin 2x removed. His parents are Craven (Buckley) Whiteoak and Martha Moore. Our common ancestors are James Buckley and Sarah (Sally) Sharp – my 4x great grandparents.

Cyrus was born in Addingham, West Yorkshire, his birth is registered in the March quarter of 1879. He was the first of fourteen children of Craven and Martha Whiteoak.

Sometimes when researching ancestors I get the feeling that their story is particularly sad and that  destiny plays its cards in a way that is difficult to understand. This was certainly the case for Cyrus.

On 27 January 1906 Cyrus married Elizabeth Ann Clarkson at St James church, Silsden, West Yorkshire. Elizabeth was born in Silsden on 2 April 1885 and was baptised in St James church on 26 April 1885. Elizabeth passed away at the age of 22 in August 1907 and was buried at St James church on 31 August.

Some time after the death of his wife Cyrus moved to the Castleford area of West Yorkshire. He married Harriet Ann Hardy on 26 December 1908 at All Saints church, Castleford. Cyrus and Harriet had two children Lily (1910) and Cyrus Buckley (1912).

In the 1911 census, taken on Sunday 2 April, Cyrus, Harriet and Lily are living at 6 Cleggs Yard, Castleford. Cyrus is working as a colliery bricklayer.

Cyrus would never see the birth of his son in June 1912.

On 26 December 1911 – Cyrus and Harriet’s third wedding anniversary – Cyrus died. The Shepton Mallet Journal of 29 December 1911 had the following brief story.

Cyrus Whiteoak of Castleford, was found dead Tuesday, under sad circumstances. While in bed he ate some toffee, and the sweetmeat became lodged in his throat.

So that’s it Cyrus choked on a piece of toffee.

He died at the age of 32.

Harriet remarried in 1918 to Walter Scott in Leeds, West Yorkshire. She passed away in November 1941 and Walter in 1959.

Wedding Wednesday – Brian Peters and Barbara Waite

Barbara Waite is my wife’s 5th cousin. Her parents are James Burt Waite and Nellie Samways. Their common ancestor is John Aspley – my wife’s 4x great grandfather.

Barbara was born on 1 May 1929 in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire.

On Wednesday 5 July 1950 the Staffordshire Sentinel reported on Barbara’s marriage to Brian Peters at St. George’s Church, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

From Trieste to Attend Newcastle Wedding

The wedding was solemnised at St. George’s Church, Newcastle, of Mr. Brian Peters, BSc, younger son of Mr. H. Peters, chemist, of High Town, Sandbach, and formerly of the Potteries, and of Mrs. Peters, and Miss Barbara Waite, a member of the staff of Messrs. Bygotts solicitors, Sandbach, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Burt Waite, of 26 Belgrave Road, Newcastle.
The service was fully choral, and was conducted by the Rev. H. H. Wellings (Vicar).
Given away by her father, the bride wore an off-the-shoulder gown of white moire taffeta with a tulle yoke: the skirt had an overdress of Brussels tulle, the train of which was cut in one with the skirt. Her full length veil was held in place by a coronet of orange blossom. She carried a shower bouquet of pink carnations.
The Matron of Honour was Mrs. Joan Gorton (sister of the bride), and Miss Brenda Moss was the bridesmaid. They wore gowns of hyacinth blue cut on classical lines, having headdresses of tulle and velvet. They carried shower bouquets of sweet peas.
From the bridegroom Mrs. Gorton received a pearl necklace and Miss Moss, a brooch.
Miss Lilana Rosenkranz, of Trieste, who had made the journey to attend the wedding, with her mother, was the train bearer. She had an ankle length dress of pale blue, a headdress of velvet and tulle and carried a posy of sweat peas. The bridegroom presented her with a brooch.
The bridegroom served a portion of his military service in a hospital at Trieste, and when the bride paid him a visit she stayed with Mrs. Rosenkranz.
Mr. K. D. Peters was the best man and Mr. R. Thompson and Mr. F. Viggers, the groomsmen.
Over 50 guests attended the reception at the Bear Hotel, Newcastle.
Miss Susan Dyke presented the bride with a silver shoe.

Wedding Wednesday – Peter Walker and Hazel Turner

Hazel Turner is my 2nd cousin 1x removed. Her parents are James Turner and Grace Matilda Waite. Our common ancestors are Thomas Turner and Mary Jane Carradice – my 2x great grandparents.

Hazel was born in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Her birth is registered in the December quarter of 1935.

On 31 March 1956 Hazel married Peter Walker at St. James Church, Clitheroe. The wedding was announced in the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times on Friday 6 April 1956 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

WALKER – TURNER

The wedding took place at St. James’s Church on Saturday of Mr. Peter Walker, twin son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Walker, of 18 Church Street, Slaidburn, and Miss Hazel Turner, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Turner, of 26 Turner Street, Clitheroe.
Given away by her father, the bride wore a ballet-length gown of heavy cream brocade cut on classical lines. Her shoulder-length veil was held in place by a headdress of pearls and orange blossom and she carried a bouquet of cream roses.
Miss Sheila Turner, the bride’s sister, and Mrs. Freda Wood, the bridegroom’s sister, were in attendance. Each wore a ballet-length gown of Italian pink nylon and carried bouquets of mixed spring flowers.
The best man was Mr. J. Walmsley, a friend of the bridegroom, and two of the bridegroom’s brothers, Mr. Gerald Walker and Mr. Brian Walker, shared the duties of groomsmen.
During the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. J. S. Parry, the hymns “Lead us Heavenly Father” and “How welcome the call” were sung. Mr. G. Hitchen was at the organ.
Following a reception at the Craven Heifer Hotel, Clitheroe, the bride and bridegroom left for a honeymoon tour of the West Coast, the bride travelling in a tweed suit with pale blue and tan accessories.
As she left the church the bride was presented with three horseshoes, two from her cousins, Patricia Woods and Kathleen Turner, and one from the bridegroom’s niece, Ann Walker.
Among the wedding presents were a set of sundae glasses and a set of table mats from the bride’s friends at Clitheroe Post Office.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker will reside at 1 Alma Place, Clitheroe.

Wedding Wednesday – George Lambert and Annie Stobbs

Annie Stobbs is my 2nd cousin 1x removed. Her parents are Samuel S Stobbs and Mary Ellen Musgrove. Our common ancestors are Harrison Musgrove and Jane Rooking – my 2x great grandparents.

Annie was born sometime in the March quarter of 1920 at Clitheroe, Lancashire.

On Tuesday 22 December 1942 Annie married George Lambert at St. Paul’s Church, Low Moor, Clitheroe. The wedding was announced in the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times on Thursday 24 December 1942 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

LAMBERT – STOBBS
Mr. George Lambert, third son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Lambert, of 16 Ribblesdale Road, Ribchester, was married on Tuesday, at St. Paul’s Church, Low Moor, to Miss Annie Stobbs, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. Stobbs, of 5 Grafton Street, Clitheroe.
Given away by her father, the bride was attired in a gown of dusky pink with hat and shoes to tone and carried a bouquet of bronze chrysanthemums. As bridesmaid, Miss Marjorie Fletcher, cousin of the bride, wore a pale blue gown with maroon hat and accessories to tone. She carried a bouquet of white carnations.
Mr. Robert Lambert was best man and the groomsman was Mr. Lawrence Lambert.
The ceremony was performed by the Rev. I. Pugh and appropriate music was played by Mr. Alan Crossley, the bride’s cousin, who was at the organ.
A reception was held at Briggs’ Cafe.
Amongst many presents was a set of carvers from friends of the bride at Carlton Mill.
Mr. and Mrs. Lambert will reside at Briery Forth Farm, Mitton.

Sunday’s Obituary – Fred Blackey (1884-1950)

Fred Blackey is my 4th cousin 1x removed. Our common ancestors are Francis Blackah and Frances Ripley – my 4x great grandparents.

Fred was born on 5 October 1884 at Thornton in Craven, near Skipton, Yorkshire. He was the second child of Alfred Blackey and Elizabeth Pickles.

In the First World War Fred served with the Duke of Wellington’s (West Ridng Regiment) – his service number was 266733.

In the 1939 Register (taken at the outbreak of WW2) he was living at 4 New Street, Carleton in Craven. Fred was a single man working as a “general labourer”.

Eleven years later in the summer of 1950 Fred took his own life at the age of 65. The events of Saturday 24 June were recored at the inquest and reported in the Bradford Observer on Thursday 29 June (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Carleton man stood in track of express train

A verdict of “Suicide by standing in the track of an oncoming railway train, the balance of his mind being disturbed at the time through ill-health,” was returned by a jury at an inquest at Skipton yesterday on Fred Blackey (65), labourer, lodging at New Street, Carleton.

Blackey was killed instantly on Saturday by an express train at a point where a footpath crosses the line at Snaygill.

Evidence was given that for some weeks Blackey had been worried over his health. On the day of his death he handed his wallet to a club steward at Carleton for safe custody, remarking that he might be going into hospital.

Fred is buried in St Mary’s churchyard at Carleton in Craven.

Wedding Wednesday – Thomas Ernest Ridding and Eleanor Richardson

Thomas Ernest Ridding is my 4th cousin 1x removed. His parents are Frederick Richard Ridding and Sarah Atkinson. Our common ancestors are Isaac Kighley and Ellen Jackson – my 4x great grandparents.

Thomas was born on 9 June 1909 in Colne, Lancashire.

Thomas married Eleanor Richardson on Saturday 12 October 1935 at Providence Independent Methodist Church, Nelson, Lancashire. The wedding was announced in the Nelson Leader on Friday 18 October 1935 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

A Nelson Wedding

Colne and Nelson families were united by a wedding which took place at Providence Independent Methodist Church last Saturday, the bride being Miss Eleanor Richardson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Richardson, of 176 Hibson Road, Nelson, and the bridegroom Mr. Thomas Ernest Ridding, son of Mrs. S Smith and the late Mr. Ridding, of 18 Wood Street, Nelson. The ceremony was performed by Mr. Smith Slinger. The duties of best man were carried out by Mr. F. Banks, and Mr. C. Brown was the groomsman.

Thomas and Eleanor had two children – a son and a daughter.

Thomas passed away in 1974 at the age of 65 and Eleanor in 1989 at the age of 75.

Wedding Wednesday – James William Woods and Darnella Turner

Darnella Turner is my 1st cousin 2x removed. Her parents are Alexander Turner and Jane Alice Brotherton. Our common ancestors are Thomas Turner and Mary Jane Carradice – my 2x great grandparents.

Darnella was born on 7 September 1915 in Clitheroe, Lancashire.

On 18 September 1937 Darnella married James William Woods at Mount Zion Chapel, Clitheroe. The wedding was announced in the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times on Friday 24 September 1937 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

WOODS – TURNER

At Mount Zion Chapel, Clitheroe, on Saturday, much interest was taken in the marriage of James William Woods, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Woods, of 26 Longworth Road, Billington, and Miss Darnella Turner, 20 Whipp Avenue, Clitheroe.
The bride who was given away by her brother, Mr. J. Turner, wore a royal blue dress, with hat and shoes to tone, and a spray of pink carnations. Miss G. Turner was bridesmaid and she was attired in an air-force blue dress with hat and shoes to tone, and had a spray of pink carnations.
Mr. William Turner carried out the duties of best man and Mr. Reginald Davies was groomsman. Mr. J. H. Shaw officiated, and after the ceremony a reception was held at the bride’s home. The presents included gifts from operatives at Sun Street mill and S. Longworth and Sons, Ltd., Whalley.

Wedding Wednesday – Frank Price and Audrey Veronica Peters

Frank Price is my 1st cousin 1x removed. His parents are Edward Price and Leah Musgrove. Our common ancestors are Joseph Musgrove and Elizabeth Ann Turner – my great grandparents.

Frank was born on 27 March 1925 in Clitheroe, Lancashire.

On 27 December 1947 Franck married Audrey Veronica Peters at St. Leonard’s Church, Langho, Lancashire. Details of the wedding were published in the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times on Friday 2 January 1948 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

PRICE – PETERS

At St. Leonard’s Church, Langho, on Saturday, the Rev. H. Townsend performed the marriage of Miss Audrey Veronica Peters, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. Peters, Sunnyside Avenue, Billington, and Mr. Frank Price, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Price, 24 Larkhill Cottages, Langho.
Given away by her father the bride wore a gown of white crepe satin, with train, her full-length veil being held in place by a coronet of orange blossom. She carried a bouquet of anemones.
Miss Annie Peters, sister of the bride, and Miss Ruth Garrett, friend of the bride, were bridesmaids; the former being attired in pale pink crepe-de-chine, and the latter in dusky pink crepe-de-chine. Both carried silver muffs and had haloes to match.
Miss Barbara Price, sister of the groom, was a small attendant, and wore a full-length dress of pale-blue satin, with matching Juliet cap, and carried a silver muff.
Mr. W. Procter acted as best man, and Messrs. W. Peters and G. Price were groomsmen.
The hymns “The voice that breath’d” and “Lead us heavenly Father” were sung. Mr. D. H. Stiff being at the organ.
After a reception at the Black Bull Hotel, Old Langho, the newly-married couple left for a their honeymoon, the bride travelling in a rust brown dress and tweed coat, with accessories to tone.
Wedding gifts included a set of cutlery from the bride’s colleagues on the office staff of Messrs. Rd. Briggs and Sons, Ltd., Bankfield Works, Clitheroe; and a set of carvers from the bridegroom’s friends at the Lancashire War Agriculture Department, Ribchester.
Mr. and Mrs. Price will make their home at Sunnyside Avenue, Billington.

Wedding Wednesday – Arthur Riley and Mary Proudfoot

Mary Proudfoot is my 3rd cousin 1x removed. Her parents are Arthur Proudfoot and Ellen Ann Myers. Our common ancestors are William Stowell and Ellen Lane – my 3x great grandparents.

Mary was born in Burnley, Lancashire on 27 February 1909.

On 26 June 1943 Mary married Arthur Riley at the Bradshaw Street Baptist Church in Nelson, Lancashire. The wedding was announced in the Nelson Leader on Friday 2 July 1943 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

RILEY – PROUDFOOT

The marriage was solemnised at Bradshaw Street Baptist Church on Saturday between Miss Mary Proudfoot, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Proudfoot, 146 Hibson Road, Nelson, and Mr. Arthur Riley, son of Mrs. and the late Mr. J. E. Riley, 44 Hargreaves Street, Nelson.
The bridegroom, employed as a winding overlooker at Clover Mill, is well known as a member of Nelson cricket team. The bride is a pirn winder, also at Clover Mill.
The bride, who was given away by her sister, Mrs Harold Moore, wore a blue and grey check costume with navy blue accessories and carried a spray of tea roses. She was attended by Mrs. Nancy Smithson, who was attired in green with black accessories and held a spray of pink carnations.
Regtl. Sergt. Major Fred Smithson was the best man.
Following the ceremony, which was performed by Mr. W. E. Thornber, the guests were entertained at the bride’s home, and Mr. and Mrs. Riley afterwards left for a honeymoon at Blackpool. Their future residence is 44 Hargreaves Street.

Wedding Wednesday – James Paley Webster and Mary Slinger

James Paley Webster is my 1st cousin 2x removed. His parents are Matthew Webster and Betsy Paley. Our common ancestors are James Paley and Mary Ann Spink – my 2x great grandparents.

James was born 16 April 1903 at Hawkswick, near Settle in Yorkshire.

On 28 March 1933 James married Mary Slinger at Gisburn Parish Church, Lancashire. The wedding was announced in the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times on Friday 31 March 1933 (image from http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

WEBSTER – SLINGER

The wedding took place at Gisburn Parish Church, on Tuesday afternoon, of Mr. James P. Webster, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Webster, of Wytha Farm, Rimington, and Miss Mary Slinger, the youngest daughter of the late Mr. E. H. and Mrs. Slinger, of Lower Gills Farm, Rimington. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. Heslop, Vicar of Gisburn. The wedding was of a very quiet nature because of the recent death of Mr. Slinger. The bride, who was given away by Mr. Rycroft, of Rimington, was attired in a dress of ivory satin, with a wreath and veil, and carried a sheaf of lilies. The bridesmaid was Miss Rose Slinger, sister of the bride, who wore a blue floral silk dress with black hat, and carried a bouquet of pink carnations. The best man was Mr. Colin Wiseman, of Manor House, Twiston. A reception was held at Hollins Farm, Rimington. Later, Mr. and Mrs. Webster left for the honeymoon which was being spent at St. Annes. Among the numerous presents was a silver cake basket from members of the Sunday School at Stopper Lane Methodist Church.