Margaret (Gerrard) Critchley (abt. 1840)

Born about 1840 in Eccleston, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Biography

This profile is part of the St Helens, Lancashire One Place Study.

Margaret Gerrard was born in about 1840 in Eccleston, Lancashire. She was the daughter of Richard Gerrard and Elizabeth (Richardson) Gerrard.

By June 6th 1841, the family were living on Mard's (or possibly Maid's) farm, Eccleston. Margaret's father was a farmer. There was one servant in the household, Ellen Arnold, aged 15-19. None of the rest of the household were doing paid work.

Margaret's mother died in 1842 in Prescot district, aged 46.

Margaret's father may have died in 1844, with his age recorded as 54, though this isn't very consistent with his age in the 1841 census. At any rate, he's not been found in the censuses after 1841.

By March 30th 1851, Margaret may have been in a boarding school in Widnes - if so her age and birthplace are somewhat misreported, but it's the best match found so far, and no other person the 1851 record might be has yet been identified.

By April 7th 1861, Margaret was working as a domestic servant in Liverpool.

Margaret probably married William Critchley on 3 Jul 1864 at Prescot St Mary's. Both were of full age (21 or more) and lived in Eccleston, and neither had been married before. Their fathers were named as William Critchley (butcher) and Richard Gerrard (farmer). The witnesses were Thomas Gerrard and Mary Stockley.

Research Notes

1841 census

1841: Eccleston

  Mard's farm, Eccleston

  Richard Gerrard 55 Farmer Y

  Elizabeth Do 40 Y

  Richard Do 15 Y

  Thomas Do 13 Y

  Mary Do 11 Y

  John Do 10 Y

  William Do 8 Y

  James Do 6 Y

  Margaret Do 1 Y /

  Ellen Arnold 15 F.S. Y //

Sources

• "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ2G-G5K : 22 May 2019), Richard Gerrard in household of Margaret Gerrard, Prescot, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey. Piece 516-05 folio 12 page 17.

• (uncertain match) "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGYX-G5B : 12 September 2019), Maragret Gerrerd in household of Sarah Morreson, Widnes, Lancashire, England; citing Widnes, Lancashire, England, p. 24, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

• "General Register Office: 1861 Census Returns database, FreeCEN (https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5f201344f4040b0a27494784 : viewed 6 Jul 2021), Margaret GERRARD in household of Margaret GERRARD, 62, Gloucester Street, Lancashire, England; from 1861 "England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images; citing The National Archives RG 9/2689, Folio 110, Page 25, Schedule 142, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

• "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD6S-7RG : 24 April 2019), Margret Critchley in entry for William Critchley, 1871.