1807-1875

 siblings

Mary Foley

 Mary Ann Foley

1829.  IGI shows a marriage on 2nd NOV 1829 at  Saint George The Martyr, Southwark, Surrey, England between Ellen Foley and Michael Headon.  It is not proven that this is the marriage but the locality and names are compelling whilst the dates are feasible for both of my relatives and their daughter.  No other records even partially agreeing are traced. The birth data for daughter Mary might confirm this but she is pre-records and this cannot be traced as yet. Source Information: -

The marriage is before statutory records and only recently traced to St. George Martyr in Southwark . Ellen's maiden name is Foley.  Checking St George the Martyr on the IGI, there are two other marriages for the name Foley:
Mary Foley m. Michael OHary on July 27th 1823 and
Mary Ann Foley m. William Condon on 24th May 1824.
The latter is of interest as one of the witnesses to Ellen's marriage is a William Condon, making it likely that Mary Ann, at least, was Ellen's sister.

Ellen's only known child was Mary. Based on subsequent census data Mary was born in St. Saviour, Southwark. Census data places Mary's birth between 1832 and 1835, before statutory records. No other children were known however Bernard Cullen, researcher at St Georges Catholic Cathedral in Southwark has found a baptism relating to Michael & Ellen. This is that of a son, " Michael - born 06/09/1831, baptised 25/09/1831. Michael Headen, son of Michael & Helen Headen (nee Foley) Sponsors James Sweney & Helen Flinn. Rev Thomas Doyle. Ref: 567 - 1831 (All spellings are in the ledger)". The further fate of Michael is unknow but this shows that there is ample time in the gaps between records for a child, especially a male child, to have grown up and left home.

1832-5 Probably birth year of daughter Mary, at St Saviour, Southwark, London.

1851 In the census Borough Liverpool Ward, Parish or Township Scotland Ecclesiastical Parish – Piece No & Part 2176/1 Folio 0066 Registration District 461/1. Ellen (44) is living with husband Michael (41) and daughter Mary (19) in the Scotland ward of Liverpool. Mary is shown as born Surrey St.Saviour which is also Southwark district.  Based on this it seems reasonable to assume that Michael and Ellen married there before moving to Liverpool some time before 1851.

1861 census finds the Heyden family (with McGrevys) at 59 George Street (later to be called Gelling Street) Ellen is a bonnet maker, (54), born Middlesex, an age consistent with the census 10 years after.  The other children are consistent for ages, birthplaces etc. There is no new information, except for the presence of a grand daughter Elizabeth aged 8 months.  This cannot be my great grandmother Elizabeth McGrevy as she was not born until 1863 and her birth certificate is unequivocal.  In fact this newly found Elizabeth (b. 1860) is now traced and died in infancy, the name was re-used for a later child.

1871 The family are at 59 Gelling Street in the 1871 census. Daughter Mary is now married to James McGravey and they and their children, are living with the Haydens. Ellen is shown as aged 64, no occupation given born Middlesex.

1875 Ellen died at 59 Gelling Street on 14th February 1875 aged 68 from 'disease of heart and liver', Michael was the informant.

1881 Michael and Ellen have both vanished from 59 Gelling Street in the census. Michael died in 1879 at the age of 74, Ellen having pre-deceased him in 1875.    Remarkably the rest of the family are still at the same address at 59 Gelling Street. Daughter Mary is now aged 44 born London, Middlesex, no occupation given.

year

Address

stated age

source

proof

calc age

1807

London, Southwark

0

1807

1829

Marriage, 02 NOV 1829 at  Saint George The Martyr, Southwark

IGI & church records

-

1851

11 Bell Street, Liverpool, Scotland Ward.

44

 census

1807

1861

59 Gelling Street, (= George Street) Toxteth Park, Liverpool.

54

 census

1807

1871

59 Gelling Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool.

64

census

1807

1875

9 Gelling Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. W. Derby 8b 269

68

death certificate

1807