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.
you don't choose your family 