Genealogy Chat

Alice McElroy was my great grandmother. She was born in 1852 (says 1853 on 1871 census). On the 1871 census she is living/staying in Manchester, together with her sister Elizabeth, with a cousin called (I think) William Gane, aged 32, his wife Grace (32) and their two children William H (7) and Annie (5 months). I have Alice and Elizabeth on other censuses, but can find no other trace of William and his family (nor can I make out his occupation). I have tried other spellings of Gane. I can't find a marriage or births for the children. I can only suppose the enumerator got the surname wrong. Has anyone got any bright ideas? Thanks Tina

Did you realsie 1861 was availible now?Any use ? Alice McElroy 1853 Manchester, Lancashire, England Daughter Manchester Lancashire Elizabeth McElroy 1847 Manchester, Lancashire, England Daughter Manchester Lancashire Frances McElroy 1822 Manchester, Lancashire, England Wife Manchester Lancashire John McElroy 1851 Manchester, Lancashire, England Son Manchester Lancashire Joshua McElroy 1826 Manchester, Lancashire, England Head Manchester Lancashire William McElroy 1859 Manchester, Lancashire, England Son Manchester Lancashire jess * where was william born?

Hi Jess Thank you very much. Yes, that is Alice with her parents and brothers and sisters in 1861. (When did that go on line - I only found it when I got back off holiday this weekend, but then, I have not had much time for research for past couple of months). William and Grace and both children all born in Manchester, darn it, much too big an area! I am fascinated to know how they fit into family tree as my father had three maiden aunts who knew the family history pretty well off by heart but although Alice was their mother, they never mentioned the surname Gane and I cannot come up with a suitable alternative that rings any bells with me. I have photos of Alice and her (subsequent) husband - makes me feel kind of close to her! Tina

Hi Tina I've had a look at 1871 to see if I can make out William's occupation, but I can't. Assistant ?????? I do like Elizabeth's occupation though - looks like Surgical Truss Carer! The mind boggles! LOL I don't think William's name is Gane though. If you compare the first letter of the surname with the G of Grace, it doesn't look like the same letter. Haven't got any suggestions as to what it might be though I'm afraid :o( Good luck Sue xx

Hi Tina, left message on tum tee tum thread too. So nice to know someone local to me who's an adict. I'm just down the road from you in Rode Heath, how about that!!!

Hi Tina i may have a solution for you what do you think to this William Lane marraige to Grace Prince St Johns Manchester 1863. Birth William Henry Lane March 1864 Manchester Birth Annie Lane Dec 1870 Manchester Death Grace Lane March 1880 aged 41 Ashton. Death William Lane Dec 1872 aged 33 Salford OR Death William Lane Dec 1880 aged 41 Ashton 1881 Census RG11/3972 FOLIO 16 PAGE 25 Annie Lane aged 20 Niece address 55 Doddington St Salford with Edward Whitehead age 66 and Margaret Whitehead age 66. 1881 Census William Henry Lane b abt 1863 Manchester Boarder 101 Fairfield Rd The Barley Mow Inn Droylsden. 1891 Census RG12/3180 FOLIO 56 PAGE 11 15 Barn St Openshaw Manchester St Clement Head William Henry Lane age 27 Clerk b Man Wife Emma Lane age 26 b Man Dau Annie Lane age 4 b Man Son Arthur Lane age 10mths b Man Sister Annie Lane age 20 Cotton Weaver b Man. I do hope it is them and it would explain why Grace & Wiliam cannot be found also we now need to go back and trace the Lane and McElroy connection also the Whithead thats if they are the correct William & Annie Regards Colette xxxxxxxxxxxxxx os his occupation in 1871 was a Assistant Stationer Elizabeth was a Printer so maybe working together....

1861 census Grace Price? could be the Prince Jane Buckley 1821 Stockport, Lancashire, England Boarder Manchester Lancashire Andrew Lane 1842 Manchester, Lancashire, England Son Manchester Lancashire Henry Lane 1811 Manchester, Lancashire, England Head Manchester Lancashire Sarah Lane 1804 Manchester, Lancashire, England Wife Manchester Lancashire William Lane 1840 Manchester, Lancashire, England Son Manchester Lancashire Grace Price 1839 Manchester, Lancashire, England Stepdaughter Manchester Lancashire

Hi again Tina my solution worked as on the next page to Joshua & Frances at number 147 Oldham Rd was the family Lane Henry age 50 b Man Carter Sarah age 57 b Man Son William age 21 b Man Invioce Clerk Son Andrew AGE 19 b Man Labourer Step Daughter Grace Price she is actualy Prince As Sarah Prince married Henry Lane 1852 Oct Manchester Catherdral. So its looking to me that William Lane married his Step Sister Grace. There is another connection but i cannot work it out.. Sarah Prince married John McElroy Manchester Catherdral 1878. I know that Joseph Prince married Sarah and they had 2 daughters Grace 1836 & Hannah 1838 taken from the IGI so maybe Sarah was there daughter also.... Regards Colette xxxxxxxxxxx

Oh Jim and Colette, what can I say? You pair of geniuses! Yes, that must be my William and Grace and I have the Lane connection as well. Alice McElroy's maternal grandmother's maiden name was Lane. It is so obvious once you see it - why am I so stupid, I have been puzzling over this for months! Oh, how can I thank you. Pop across to the Tee Tum Tee Tum thread and I'll slip you some of Lou's wine (if she hasn't drunk it all by now!). Oh, I am so excited. Definately your good deed for the week, if not the year. Thank you so much. Extremely excited Tina

Tina you are welcome .. me i am like a dog with a bone and i wont put it down till its finished haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa meaning untill i get an answer if it takes 1 day or 1 week i will keep going till i get an answer i think i have become obsessed haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Regards Colette xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx