Thomas Russell

Thomas was born in Willoughby, Warwickshire, the son of John Russell, a farmer.

Thomas (26), a police constable of Kettering Police Station, married Eliza Sabrina Shaw (28 b. Braunston Northants), a domestic cook, residence Long Buckley, at Kettering Parish Church on 15 October 1889.

The couple had seven children: Emma Elizabeth b. Northamptonshire and Amy Eliza (b. 1892, Thomas Shaw b. 1895, Willis/William York b. 1896, Herbert Charles b. 1898, Gertrude Jane b. 1901 and Hilda Annie b. 1905, who were born in Nottingham. Four of their children, Amy, Thomas, Willis (sic) and Herbert were baptised at Long Buckley parish church, Northamptonshire, on 2 July 1899; their parents were living on Clarendon Street, Nottingham. Their daughter Gertrude was baptised at New Radford parish church in February 1913; her parents were then living at the School House, Douglas Road.

Thomas, Eliza and their first child, Emma, were living in Duston, Northamptonshire, in 1891, but had moved to Nottingham by 1901 when they were living at 36A Clarendon Street with their six children, Emma, Amy, Thomas, Willis, Herbert and one month old Gertrude. Thomas was a caretaker at a Board School.

In 1911 Thomas was caretaker at Douglas School and the family was living at the School House, 26 Douglas Road. All seven chldren were in the home on the night of the Census: Emma 'at home', Amy a lace curtain mender, Thomas a lace packer, Willis a hosiery bleach hand, Herbert and Gertrude who were school age and Hilda.

Thomas's widow, completed a form for the Army on 9 November 1920 listing her husband's surviving blood relatives:
Parents: deceased.
Widow: Eliza Sabina Russell, 16 Argyle Street, Nottingham.
Children: Thomas Shaw Russell b. 27 March 1895. William [Willis] York Russell b. 6 Dec. 1896. Herbert Charles Russell b. 2 Sept 1898. Gertrude Jane Russell b. 25 Feb 1901. Hilda Annie Russell b. 11 December 1905. All of 16 Argyle Street Nottingham. Also married daughters: Emma Elizabeth Kirk b. 21 August 1890, 20 Argyle Street, Nottingham. Amy Eliza Frost b. 27 August 1892, 14 Conway Grove, Nottingham.

His widow Eliza was living at 16 Argyle Street, Nottingham, in 1921. Only three of her children were still living at home: Thomas, who was out of work but had previously been employed by Fleishmans Ltd, St Mary's Gate, Gertrude a doorkeeper for JS Cheetham & Co, a blouse and neckware manufacturer, and Hilda who was also out of work.

Eliza died in June 1925 and was buried with her husband in Nottingham General Cemetery.

Emma had married John William Kirk, a tobacco packer (Imperial Tobacco Co.), at Lenton parish church on 8 August 1914 and they had one child, Dorothy May (birth registered 1915 JFM). In 1921 the family was living at 20 Argyle Street. Emma has not yet been traced after this date, but her daughter was recorded on the 1939 England & Wales Register as a nurse at the City Hospital, Sherwood.

Amy married Thomas Nelson Frost in 1915. In 1921 they were living on Conway Grove, Nottingham; Thomas was a motor-driver mechanic for Lever Brothers Ltd Port Sunlight at its Nottingham Depot. Also in the home was Amy's widowed mother-in-law, Angelina Frost. Amy died in 1973 and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery with her parents.

Herbert, a plumber, married Jane Mundell at Nottingham St Peter on 12 May 1921. In 1939, Herbert, a baker and confectioner, was living with his wife and two children, Herbert (b. 1922), also a baker and confectioner, and Jean Mavis (b. 1932). Also in the household was Herbert's brother, Thomas, a bakehouse labourer. Herbert died in 1966; he was survived by his wife.

Thomas was recorded as married on the 1939 Register and there is a record of the marriage of a Thomas S Russell to Florence E Allen in 1919 (reg. Nottingham); he was living with his widowed mother in 1921 and in 1939, after her death, with his younger brother Herbert. Thomas died in 1959.

William married Dorothy Louise Shaw in 1924 (reg. Nottingham). In 1939 William, a railway shunter, and his wife were living on Station Road, Kiveton Park, Yorkshire. The records of three members of the household remain closed. William died in 1969 (reg. Worksop).

The youngest child, Hilda, married Albert Edward Albert Selby, a tobacco filler, at Radford St Michael & All Angels in July 1927. In 1939 they were living on Blake Road, West Bridgford; Albert was a general garage hand. Five records of other members of the household remain closed. Hilda died in 1981 (buried Redhill Cemetery, Arnold).

Research RF (Dec. 2025)