John and Catherine decided to send the children two at a time to America. They were probably afraid the ship might sink and kill the entire family as it made the 3,100-mile voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.

John Addison

Born: 1854 in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, England

Father: John Addison (1820 to 1878)
Mother: Ellen Lambert (1822 to 1894)

Spouse: Catherine Taylor (1856 to 1942)

Married: 1877 in Walton Le Dale, Lancashire, England

Children:

Joseph Addison (14 DEC 1877 to 1959)
John Addison (1880 to 1908)
Catherine Addison (1882 to 29 JUN 1921)
William Addison (1884 to 27 APR 1954)
Christopher Addison (1886 to 28 DEC 1926)
George Addison (5 NOV 1888 to 1966)
Annie Addison (1892 to Unknown)
Elizabeth E Addison (18 FEB 1893 to 18 APR 1977)
Ellen V Addison (1895 to 9 NOV 1978)
James Addison (1897 to Unknown)
Mary Alice Addison (1899 to Unknown)

Died: 1930 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA

Timeline:

1861 Preston, Lancashire, England
1861 Death of first sister, Nancy
1865 Death of second sister, Nancy
1871 Walton Le Dale, Lancashire, England
1877 Marriage to Catherine
1877 Birth of son, Joseph
1878 Death of father, John
1880 Birth of son, John
1881 Walton Le Dale, Lancashire, England
1882 Birth of daughter, Catherine
1884 Birth of son, William
1886 Birth of son, Christopher
1888 Birth of son, George
1891 Walton Le Dale, Lancashire, England
1892 Birth of daughter, Annie
1892 Death of half-brother, William
1893 Birth of daughter, Elizabeth
1894 Death of mother, Ellen
1895 Birth of daughter, Ellen
1897 Birth of son, James
1899 Birth of daughter, Mary
1901 Walton Le Dale, Lancashire, England
1908 Death of brother, Christopher
1910 Immigrated to America
1920 Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA
1922 Death of sister, Mary
1930 Death and Burial

Occupation: cotton piecer (1871), cotton spinner

Records:

1861 to 1901 England Census Records
1920 United States Census Record
Lancashire, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1911
England & Wales Christening Records, 1530-1906
England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index: 1837-1915
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., Book Indexes to Passenger Lists, 1899-1940
Massachusetts, U.S., Death Index, 1901-1980

Variations of Surname: none

The Addison Immigration to America:

On 29 SEP 1910, John, Catherine, and their two youngest children boarded the RMS Saxonia at the Liverpool docks. On 6 OCT 1910, they arrived at Boston Harbor in Massachusetts, USA.

NOTE: The child, Annie, was their granddaughter. Her father, John, died in 1908 in Walton Le Dale, Lancashire, England.

Their son, Joseph, remained in England. As noted, John died in 1908. The other children immigrated to America on these dates:

On 15 MAY 1909, their daughter, Catherine, with her husband and son, boarded the SS Ivernia.

On 17 OCT 1911, William and Christopher boarded the SS Cymric.

On 5 JUL 1910, George and his sister, Ellen, boarded the SS Saxonia.

On 1 MAR 1910, Annie and her sister, Elizabeth, boarded the SS Ivernia.

John and Catherine decided to send the children two at a time to America. They were probably afraid a ship might sink in the Atlantic Ocean as it made the 3,100-mile voyage.

John’s Wife:

Catherine Taylor:

Catherine was born in 1856 in Everton, Liverpool, Lancashire, England. She died in 1942 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

The 1930 US Census shows that Catherine was living with her daughter, Annie, and her husband, Henry Storey. They were living in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

The 1940 US Census shows that Catherine was a patient of the Taunton State Hospital. At the age of 75, Catherine may have developed senile dementia. The Wikipedia article on the later stages of dementia explains:

“People with dementia in the late stages usually need 24-hour supervision to ensure their personal safety, and meeting of basic needs.”

John and Catherine’s Daughters:

Catherine Addison:

Catherine was born in 1882 in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, England. She died on 29 JUN 1921 in St Bon, Manitoba, Canada.

Catherine married Frederick William Caton in 1903 in Walton Le Dale, Lancashire, England. Two known children were born during their marriage:

James Caton (1908)
Frederick Caton (1912)

After Catherine died, Frederick married Mina Annie McGill on 24 DEC 1929 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. No known children were born during their marriage.

Mina Annie McGill:

Minnie was born in 1898 in Gateshead, Durham, England. She died in 1964 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Even though Minnie was not biologically connected to the Addison family, I wanted to share a portion of her lineage:

Minnie’s Father:

John McGill was born in 1854 in Monkwearmouth, Durham, England. He died on 3 JUL 1916 in Gateshead, Durham, England.

John married Elizabeth Tate on 18 Jul 1875 in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England. One known child was born during their marriage:

John McGill (1877 Heworth, Durham)

Elizabeth Tate was born in 1858 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England. She died in 1880 in Heworth, Durham, England. Elizabeth was 22 years old when she died.

Minnie’s Mother:

Elizabeth Wright was born on 16 NOV 1856 in Hartford, Huntingdonshire, England. She died on 30 MAR 1915 in Gateshead, Durham, England.

Elizabeth married Richard Wilson Kidson in 1873 in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. Three known children were born during their marriage. The children were born in Sunderland, Durham, England.

Agnes Kidson (1873)
Robert Kidson (1876)
Louisa Kidson (1877)

Richard Wilson Kidson was born in 1844 in Mill Town, Donegal, Ireland. He died on 22 FEB 1879 in Sedgefield, Durham, England.

A Little History:

On 31 OCT 1857, Richard was indentured for five years to Henry Kidson, his uncle. He served in the Merchant Navy. On 14 NOV 1867, Richard received his Mate’s Certificate.

Richard served on ships that sailed along the east coast of England. At some point, he may have contracted some neurological disease.

On 2 NOV 1877, Richard was admitted to the County Lunatic Asylum in Sedgefield, Durham, England. He remained there until his death in 1879. Sedgefield is 14 miles northwest of the port city of Middlesbrough on the River Tees. Richard may have been in this port when he became incapacitated.

The 9 MAR 1888 probate record confirms the date and place of Richard’s death. It also listed Elizabeth McGill, wife of John McGill, as executrix of Richard’s estate.

Minnie’s Parents:

The 1881 England Census shows that John McGill was living in Gateshead, Durham, England. His housekeeper was a widow named Elizabeth Kidson. Her three children were also living in the household.

Shortly after this census was enumerated, Elizabeth gave birth to John’s oldest son, William. He would have been considered illegitimate because they were not married.

William McGill (1881)

There were eight known children born during John and Elizabeth’s marriage:

Michael McGill (1884)
Elizabeth McGill (1885)
Thomas McGill (1887)
Mary McGill (1889)
Nora McGill (1891)
George McGill (1893)
Henry McGill (1896)
Minna Annie McGill (1898)

Annie Addison:

Annie was born in 1892 in Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, England. I do not know when she died.

Annie gave birth to one child out of wedlock:

John Francis Addison (1913)

Annie married Henry Francis Storey in 1916 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. One known child was born during their marriage:

Rita Ann Storey (1917)

Henry Francis Storey was born on 23 JAN 1886 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. He died on 7 DEC 1959 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

Henry had previously married Sarah Margaret Galvin on 1 SEP 1906 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. Three known children were born during their marriage:

Henry Storey (1908)
William Storey (1908)
Margaret Storey (1910)

Sarah Margaret Galvin was born on 22 OCT 1881 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. She died on 2 MAR 1913 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. The death certificate listed the cause of death as pulmonary tuberculosis. Sarah was 31 years old when she died.

Sarah’s father was John Galvin. He was born in 1841 in Ireland. He died in 1890 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

Sarah’s mother was Margaret Henneberry. She was born in 1845 in Ireland. She died in 1916 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

Sarah had six known brothers and sisters. The oldest child was born in Ireland. The next two children were born in England. The other children were born in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

John Galvin (1865 Waterford, Ireland)
Patrick Galvin (1866 Bolton, Lancashire)
Johanna Galvin (1869 Bolton, Lancashire)
Ellen Galvin (1873)
Michael Galvin (1875)
Agnes Galvin (1880)

Elizabeth E Addison:

Elizabeth was born on 18 FEB 1893 in Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, England. She died on 18 APR 1977 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

Elizabeth married Henry Frederick Schlemmer on 3 JUN 1913 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. One known child was born during their marriage:

Genevieve R Schlemmer (1915)

Henry Frederick Schlemmer was born on 30 JUN 1888 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. He died on 16 OCT 1973 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

Ellen V Addison:

Ellen was born in 1895 in Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, England. She died on 9 NOV 1978 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

Ellen married Joseph Arthur Moseley on 15 MAY 1913 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. Three known children were born during their marriage:

Florence Moseley (1917)
Mildred Moseley (1922)
Joseph Moseley (1927)

Joseph Arthur Moseley was born on 25 FEB 1884 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. He died on 6 DEC 1971 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

Mary Alice Addison:

Mary was born in 1899 in Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, England. I do not know when she died.

Mary or Mabel?

The 1901 England Census listed John and Catherine’s youngest daughter as Mary A Addison.

Ancestry.com’s “England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915” listed her name as Mary Alice Addison.

When they crossed the Atlantic Ocean, Mary’s given name changed:

The 1910 passenger list for John and Catherine’s youngest daughter recorded her name as Mabel Addison.

The 1920 US Census Record listed her name as Mary A Addison. The family was living at 50 Westminster Street.

The 1921 Fall River city directory listed her name as Mary A Addison.

I then found a 1921 marriage record for a woman named Mabele A Addison. This database did not cross-reference the entry which means I do not know who she married. Without a husband’s name, I could not track her on any of the later census records.

If you have any information on Mary or her husband, please contact me. My email is dlwakenight@yahoo.com. You can also leave a message in the Comments Section of this post.

Notes:

The surname Addison was common along the borders of Northern England and the eastern counties of Scotland. In the period known as the Middle Ages, these Addison ancestors migrated south to settle in Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lancashire counties in England.

The progenitor of this family line was Christopher Addison. He was born around 1788 in Bolton, Lancashire, England. Who were his parents? That is still an unanswered question.

This family lived in the Walton-le-Dale area of Lancashire, England. The four oldest children were born in Moon’s Mill which is now Higher Walton. The two youngest children were born in the parish of Cuerden. The family finally settled in Over Darwen which is five miles south of Blackburn.

Timothy Addison created a family tree on Rootweb. His ancestors lived in the parishes of Kings Meaburn, Morland, Crosthwaite, Beathwaitegreen, and Levens in northwestern England.

Is there a connection between his ancestors and the ones who migrated to Lancashire? This is where my search begins . . .

If you know the answer to this question, please contact me. My email is dlwakenight@yahoo.com. You can also leave a message in the Comments Section of this post.

Creating Your Family Tree

Interested in building a great family tree? Remember these important steps:

Look in your photo albums. You may have old pictures that your parents or grandparents gave you. Or, ask them for copies of photos that they have in their possession. Many people will write names and dates on the backs of photographs. Letters, diaries, and family bibles are also excellent sources for births, marriages, and deaths.

Talk to your older relatives to find out about your ancestry. They may relate stories about an ancestor that you can add to your family tree. Family history is usually not found in newspapers. It is more of a verbal memory that is passed down from generation to generation.

Find the right family tree builder that suits your needs. You can choose one that has a paid subscription like Ancestry.com. There are also free sites like FamilySearch.org.

When you start building your family tree, add documentation to your ancestor’s profile. The records can include birth, marriage, death, census, military, city, and county directory listings. Any information that you can find will help create a life story about your ancestors.

If you have a unique surname, like Wakenight, you may find databases on the internet that are useful in your search. I use SurnameDB.com for my English surnames. There are many others on the internet for other countries like Ireland, Italy, and Germany.

Genealogy is the study of a person’s “line of descent.” As you create your family tree, you would typically start with one individual and go “back into time.” You would add their parents, grandparents, and so on.  There are also family trees that go “forward into time.”  Many of these family trees start with a famous person, such as a president or royalty, and move forward into the present time.  The purpose of this type of pedigree is to establish a person’s bloodline with that famous person.

There is no limit on how big your family tree can grow. The blank canvas is there for you to use. Cherish your family history, and it will be there for generations to come!