The Whites of Tickhill, Yorkshire

Jack and Alexander are linked to the Whites of Tickhill via their maternal grandmother (b1936), her mother DORIS MARY ELVIDGE (1915-2002), and her mother KATE MAUD WHITE.

While White is a common surname, we know the family came from Tickhill. Doris Albrow (nee Elvidge) was never keen to talk about her background, leading to suspicions that there was a murderer in the family! However, on one trip south on the A1, she saw the sign to Tickhill and started reminiscing about childhood visits to her family there, who apparently owned a sweetshop. I offered to turn off the road to visit the town but she declined - a shame, as she might have enjoyed it and I would have learned more.

Checking back, White is a Tickhill name, and the first Whites are recorded in the 1340s. Would it be possible to follow the family through?

So far, we have the family back to the 1840s, with the 1841 census, and the oldest member, Samuel White, was born around 1776.

1841 Census - Tickhill

Samuel White, 64, cordwainer
Ann, 58, wife
Ann, 31, daughter, dressmaker,
John, 29, son, journeyman shoemaker
Samuel, 27, son, journeyman shoemaker
Francis, 24. son, journeyman shoemaker
John, 8, son
Mary Woodcock, 15, female servant

A George White, 20, is recorded as a male servant at a public house in Westgate, Tickhill, run by Peter Hancock.

By 1851, Samuel is recorded in Sunderland Street, Tickhill. George appears to have moved home. Is it possible that George's wife had died and he has moved back in with his parents?

1851 Census - Sunderland Street, Tickhill.

Samuel White, 73, cordwainer
Ann, 68, wife
George, 31, son, farmer
Edward, 12, grandson, shoe servant

By 1861, George is married and living in Sunderland Street, Tickhill. Samuel is still alive at this stage. He dies on 1 Apr 1866 at the grand age of 89.

1861 Census - Sunderland Street, Tickhill.

George White, 43, agricultural labourer
Charlotte, 43, wife
Emma, 8
Thomas, 6
Harriet, 4
Catherine, 3
Mary, infant

By 1871, George and Charlotte have moved to Northgate, Tickhill. Thomas is the eldest of their children at home, and it is likely that Emma has moved out for work or for marriage. I need to check on the ages of the children in this census.

1871 Census - Northgate, Tickhill

George White, 53, Farm labourer
Charlotte, 53, wife
Thomas, 16
Catherine
Mary, Ann
Elizabeth
George

By 1881, Thomas has married and moved into a house in Lindric, Tickhill.

1881 Census - Lindric, Tickhill

Thomas White, 26, farmhand.
Mary, 22, wife, born Little Duffield
John, 3
George, nine months

In 1891, the family are still in Lindric. The two Georges would have been confusing ... or an enumerator's mistake.

1891 Census - Lindric, Tickhill

Thomas, 37, ag lab
Mary, 32, wife
John, 12
George W, 10
Anne, 8
Thomas, 5
George, 1.

In 1901, it appears that wife Mary has died, and Thomas, 48, has married again.

1901 Census - Northgate, Tickhill

Thomas, 48, ag lab
Emily, 49, wife, born in Carlton, Notts
George, 11, son
Thomas, 10, son
Charlie, 8, son
Kate Maud, 6, daughter
Lucy, 11 months.
Thomas was born in Hesley, Notts, so it would appear that he may be Emily's son by a previous marriage who has assumed the White surname; all other children are born in Tickhill.

At this stage (until we get the birth certificate) it is unclear if Kate Maud White's mother is Mary or Emily. Kate Maud married Isaac Elvidge in February 18, 1913 in Doncaster. They had one son and three daughters, including Doris Mary, b1915-2003. the other daughters were Joyce and Kathleen Audrey; the son was George.