The Henry Harold Harrison Family

Biography

Henry Harrison was the youngest child of John Harrison and Elizabeth Ormandy. He was born in Adlington, probably at the Waggon & Horses Inn where his father was an innkeeper, on 10 December 1853. By the time of the 1861 census, the family had moved to Wigan and was living at 134 Great George Street. At the time of the 1871 census, the family was living at 17 St. Thomas Street, Wigan. Henry was working as a mechanic at age 17.

On 29 January 1873 when Henry was age 19, he married Alice Austin. Alice was the daughter of James Austin, a joiner. Like many young women in Wigan at that time, she worked in one of the textile mills as a power loom weaver. Henry’s occupation is listed on the marriage certificate as iron moulder.

Over the ensuing eight years, Henry and Alice had four children: Jane, Elizabeth, James, and Joseph. At the time of the 1881 census, Henry and Alice were living at 150 Chapel Lane in Wigan, next door to Henry’s parents who were living at 148 Chapel Lane. Henry again gave his occupation as iron moulder.

No record of Henry, Alice, or their children could be found in the 1891 census. They may have been overlooked.

At the time of the 1901 census, Henry, who gave his age as 47, was living at 4 Foster Street in Wigan with his three youngest children: Joseph Ormandy, Ellen and Mary. He gave his occupation as iron moulder—machine maker. Henry’s wife, Alice, was not enumerated at the family home in 1901 for some unknown reason.

At the time of the 1911 census, Henry and Alice were living at 6 Margaret Street in Wigan. Henry was still employed as an iron moulder and gave his place of employment as an iron foundry. The census form confirms that Henry and Alice had a total of six children during their marriage. Henry signed the census form “Harry Harrison,” and this is likely how he was known throughout his life.

No further information on Henry’s life was found. It is believed he died on 13 October 1934 at age 80. He was apparently living with his daughter at the time, at 1 Sharp Street.

Source Documents

• Birth Certificate of Henry Harrison (1853–?)
• Marriage Certificate of Henry Harrison (1853–?) and Alice Austin (1853–?)
• 1881 Census Record of John Harrison (1813–1885), Henry Harrison (1853–?), and households
• 1871 Census Record of John Harrison (1813–1885) and household
• 1861 Census Record of John Harrison (1813–1885) and household
• 1901 Census Record of Henry Harrison (1853–?) and household

Details

• Residence: 1861-04-07, 134 Great George Street, Wigan; John & Elizabeth Harrison family home.
• Residence: 1871-04-02, 17 St Thomas Street, Wigan; John & Elizabeth Harrison family home.
• Occupation: 1871-04-02, Wigan, Lancashire; Mechanic.
• Residence: 1873-01-29, 23 Caroline Street, WIgan;

  Per Henry Harrison–Alice Austin Marriage Register.

• Occupation: 1873-01-29, Wigan; Iron Moulder.

  Per Henry Harrison–Alice Austin Marriage Register

• Residence: 1880-04-27, Walmer Street, Poolstock, Wigan; Henry & Alice Harrison family home.
• Occupation: 1880-04-27, Poolstock, Wigan; Iron Moulder.
• Residence: 1881-04-03, 150 Chapel Lane, Wigan; Henry & Alice Harrison family home.

  The home was next door to Henry’s parents home at 148 Chapel Lane.

• Residence: 1901-03-31, 4 Foster Street, Wigan; Henry Harrison family home.

  Alice is not recorded in the census but Henry records that he is married, not widowed.

• Occupation: 1901-03-31, Wigan; Machinery Maker, Iron Moulder, Worker.

Footnotes

A fairly extensive search has failed to find the 1891 census record for Henry Harrison and his family. It appears that they might have been missed in the enumeration.