Lawrence Barsby

Lawrence was the son of Thomas and Sarah Jane Barsby (née Parks).

His father Thomas was born in Nottingham in 1842, the son of William Barsby, a lace maker, and his mother Sarah Jane, the daughter of John Parks, was born in Carlton Scroop, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, in about 1843.

Thomas and Sarah were married at Nottingham St Mary on 7 April 1863 and had ten children who were born in Nottingham: Louisa Ann b. 1863 (JAS), John Arthur George [Arthur] b. 1865 (JAS), Thomas Robert b. 1867 (OND), Lawrence b. 1869 (OND), Ada b. 1870 (OND), Frank b. 1873 (JAS), Albert b. 1875 (OND), Ernest b. 1878 (OND), Violetta b. 1880 d. 1881 (OND) and Harry b. 1883 (OND). There are baptismal records for five of their children who were baptised at Sneinton St Stephen: Ada, Frank and Ernest on 18 July 1878, and Lawrence and Violetta on 19 August 1880.

Thomas, a lace maker and Sarah, a laundress, were living in Reform Yard, Mount Street East, in 1871 along with their five childen, Louisa and John who were school age, Thomas (3), Lawrence (1) and Ada (u/1y). They were still living on Mount Street East when their children were baptised.

The family was recorded at 26 Mount Street East on the 1881 Census: Thomas, who was still working as a lace maker, and his wife, a charwoman. In the home were their nine children: Louisa, a lace jennier, John a lace machine fitter, Thomas a coal dealer's labourer, Lawrence (11) a French polisher and Ada, Frank and Albert who were at school and Ernest (2) and Violetta (1). Violetta died later that year aged 1 year. The couple's youngest child, Ernest, was born two years later in 1883.

The eldest daughter, Louisa, married Samuel Allkin (29), at Nottingham St Mark on 10 April 1888; her brother Arthur (sic) was one of the two witnesses. Both Louisa and Samuel were living at 21 Shelton Street, Nottingham, at the time of their marriage, but by 1891 were living in the village of Langar, Nottinghamshire: Samuel, Louisa and their three children William (3), Ardela (2) and Elizabeth (4m). Also in the household was Louisa's brother, Ernest (12). Louisa and Samuel, a machine minder (boot & shoe) were living on Strutt Road, Burbage, Hinckley by 1901. Also in the household were their children William, Violetta, Elizabeth (all born Nottingham) and Ethel, Ernest and Albert who were born in Burbage. By 1911 Samuel, a bricklayers' labourer, and Louisa had moved to 40 Stockwell Head, Hinckley, Leicestershire. The couple had had nine children, one of whom, a daughter, Edith b. 1895 (JFM Nottm) had died in infancy (1896 JFM Hinckley). Only six of their eight surviving children were in the home on the night of the census: Elizabeth (20), Clara (18), Ethel (14), Ernest (12), Albert (10) and Charles Victor (8). Violetta had married Cornelious James Lee in 1908 (reg. Hinkcley). Samuel and Louisa continued to live in Leicestershire until their deaths, Samuel in 1925 and Louisa in 1930.

Thomas, lace maker, and Sarah, an office caretaker, had moved to 43 Clare Street by 1891 where they were living with six of their nine surviving children: John a labourer (iron works), Lawrence a labourer (malt room), Ada a lace maker, Frank a coal labourer, Albert an errand boy and Harry who was at school. The youngest son, Ernest, was living in Langar with his married sister Louisa Allkin.

The second son, Thomas Robert, has not yet been traced on the 1891 Census, but he married Elizabeth Ducker later that year (OND). In 1901 Thomas, a bricklayers' labourer, and his wife were living at 28 Clare Street, Nottingham; also in the household was a lodger. Thomas Robert died in July 1909 (buried 28 July).

Thomas and Sarah's youngest son, Ernest, probably died in 1896, aged 17 (buried 3 June).

John Arthur George married Rachel Thirlby at Sneinton St Stephen on 5 June 1893. According to the information he provided on the 1911 Census, they had had three children one of whom died in infancy or early childhood; two of the children were born before their marriage: Violetta (Thirlby) b. 1888 (JAS) and Susannah (Thirlby) b. 1890 (JAS). Arthur, a barman, his wife and their daughters Violetta (12) and Susie [Susannah] (10) were living at 31 Mortimer Street in 1910. Susannah died in 1909 aged 18. By 1911 Arthur, a fitter's labourer, and his wife were living at 4 Holden's Square, Nottingham, with their surviving child, Violetta, a card edger (cardboard box making). John died on 10 June 1918 aged about 52 and his widow Rachel on 31 May 1934. They were survived by their daughter, Violet (sic) who probably married Albert Fisher in 1941 and died in 1969.

Ada married Philip Edward Walters (b. 1876) at Nottingham St Mark on 7 March 1897. They have not yet been traced on the 1901 Census, but in 1911 were living at 1 Chapel Yard, Cross Street, Nottingham: Philip (38, b. Eastwood) was a horse driver (brick carter) and Ada (40), a lace band clipper (at home). By 1911 they had had had seven children, only three of whom had survived infancy or early childhood: Edith Ann (12), George (7) and Albert Edward (4), who were in the home on the night of the census. A daughter, Doris, was born in 1913. In 1921 Ada (51), a lace hand, was living at 21 Foundry Yard, Nottingham, and, although married, was the head of household. Also in the home were her children Albert (13) and Doris (8); according to the census, 'both parents alive'. Ada died in 1939 (JFM) age 68 and in 1939 her widower, Philip Walters, was living with his daughter Doris, a lace dresser, on Weedon Close, Nottingham. Philip died in 1943 (OND).

Thomas snr. died in 1899 aged 57 and in 1901 his widow Sarah, a lace hand, was living at 17 Union Place, with her sons Albert, a waiter, and Harry, a lamp cleaner. Also in the household were two male lodgers.

Frank was living at 5 Mills Yard, Millstone Lane, in 1901 with his wife Harriet (date of marriage not traced). Harriet (née Raven), the daughter of Samuel Raven, had married Charles Smith at Nottingham St Ann's on 14 July 1894; she was 16 years old and her husband was 21. Their daughter, Ethel Amelia (Smith), was born in 1895 (AMJ). Frank and Harriet's first child, Ernest, was born in 1900 and according to the information on the 1911 Census they had seven children, one of whom [Ernest] died in infancy: Ernest Barsby Smith b. 1900 (JAS) d. 1900 (JAS), Violetta Barsby Smith birth registered 1898 (JFM) and Sarah Jane b. 1901 (OND), Annie birth registered 1904 (JFM), Martha Ann b. 1907 (JAS) and Harriet b. 1910 (AMJ), surnames Barsby. Two daughters were born after 1911; Eliza in 1912 (AMJ) and Ada in 1916. Frank, a furniture restorer, Harriet and Ethel (6) and Violetta (3) were living at 5 Mills Yard, Millstone Lane, in 1901. Also in the household were Frank's parents-in-law, Samuel and Amelia Raven, his sister-in-law Annie Raven, and also two lodgers, a married couple. Frank, a coal carter and Harriet, a lace hand (at home) were still living in Nottingham in 1911 (address illegible); also in the home were their six surviving children: children Ethel (16) who was in work, Dolly-sic (13), Jennie [Sarah Jane] (8), Annie (6), Martha (3) and Harriet (1). Frank, who was an out of work general labourer, and Harriet were living at 1a Clarence Street, Canton Road, in 1921. Also in the home were their daughters Sarah, a lace dresser, Annie, a drug packer (Boots), Martha, Eliza (9 b. 1912), who died aged 15 in 1927, and Ada (5 b. 1916). Frank died on 19 April 1932 and was buried in Carlton Cemetery.

Albert married Minnie Evelyn Mabel Teer in September 1910; they had two sons, Albert Joseph (b. 1911), and Ronald (b. 1917). In 1911 they were living at 51 Millstone Lane, Nottingham. Albert was a shopkeeper (own account) and his wife was assisting in the business. Albert also served in the war, attesting in 1916 when he gave his occupation as club steward (see 'Extra information'). He probably died in 1934 (AMJ) aged about 58.

Lawrence (42), a labourer, was living at 8 Sun Hill, Sneinton, in 1911. Also in the household was a boarder, Florence Cordon (39, b. 1870 Caunton, Nottinghamshire), a lace hand. Lawrence and Florence were married in 1915 (JFM). They were living at 8 Walker Street, Sneinton, in 1914 when he attested and this was still their home when he was discharged from the Royal Defence Corps in November 1916. Lawrence was a patient in Nottingham General Hospital when the 1921 Census was compiled; Florence has not yet been traced on the Census but her address was given as 8 Walker Street on pension records and the later CWGC record. No later records yet identified.

Lawrence's mother, Sarah Jane, died on 27 June 1915 aged 73.