McDANIELSON
(originally McDonald or McDonnell)
(originally McDonald or McDonnell)
Updated 28 March 2014
There are few McDanielsons in the world and most of them live in Halifax, in the county of Yorkshire, England, though a small number have moved to the north-east of the country and to Wiltshire. A scant few have been found in the USA, but research has not yet established if any link exists with those in England.
This unusual surname, which is not found in England before 1870, appears to be the result of illiteracy, misspelling, misunderstanding and laxity by successive generations of the family, who began in Ireland as McDonald, where the name is traditionally interchangeable with ‘McDaniel’.
However, while McDonald and its variants are widespread, McDanielson seems to be unique to those who share ancestry from one family of Irish immigrants who arrived in Lancashire sometime between c1826 and 1841 and settled for many years in Bolton.
Of course, today’s McDanielsons share just as much ancestry with many other families and those branches of the tree have been exhaustively researched. Click on the links above for more info.
Michael McDonald was born c1787 in County Mayo, Ireland and is the direct ancestor of the current McDanielson family in England. He first appears on the 1841 census for Bolton with his wife (see entry below) and four sons and their surname is recorded as 'MacDonald'. His occupation was a 'Cotton Dyer' and the family were resident at Back Barry Row, Bolton, Lancashire. In 1851 they are found still in Bolton at Back Andrew Street, living in a cellar and in 1861 are found under the name 'McDonnell' at 25 Back Ormrod Street, again resident in a cellar.
Michael died at that address aged 80 on 28th June 1864 and his occupation at the time of death was a 'Blacking Maker'. His cause of death was 'Paralysis' which probably means the result of a stroke.
Eleanor/Ellen McDonald was born c1789 in County Mayo, Ireland and was the wife of Michael, above. Her first name is recorded inconsistently and her maiden name is not known. Nothing further is known of her, as there seems to be no record of her death in the civil registration index. She is listed on the 1861 census with her husband and family, but is absent from any census thereafter.
Children of Michael and Eleanor/Ellen McDonald
James is the eldest son known of (though there may have been older children who remained in Ireland or lived elsewhere in England). He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, probably between 1816 and 1821. This date is calculated from his entry on the 1841 census, which at that time rounded down ages for adults to the nearest 5-year band. He's shown as aged 20 and is the first son listed, which may mean he was the eldest. (His brother William is listed beneath him, also shown as aged 20 – see below for his details).
James was married on 30th January 1842 at the Parish Church, Bolton-le-Moors, to Maria PADON, daughter of James PADON, a farmer. The groom's age is shown as 'Full' which means he was 21 or over at the time and gives further support to the likely year of his birth.
James and Maria are not found on any subsequent census records, which may indicate that they had both died or had emigrated. A search of US census records shows a vast number of James McDonalds and similar names, but insufficient detail is given.
Note: It is assumed that the family were Protestants, since Michael’s children were married in the Church of England.
William is the direct ancestor of the current McDanielson family. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, probably about 1821, but his age is unclear throughout the various records. The 1841 census lists him aged 20, after his brother James also shown as 20. His marriage certificate in 1845 records him as 'Full' age. The 1851 census shows his age as 29, which gives him a birth year of 1822. In 1861 he is shown as age 40, giving him a birth year of 1821 and in 1871 he is shown as 58, which gives a birth year of 1813. The 1881 census records him as 70 and born 'on board ship', which gives a birth year of 1811. His death certificate in 1890 gives his age as 80, which suggests a birth year of 1810.
On 1st September 1845 William married Frances (Fanny) WALKER, born c1824 in Ireland, the daughter of Andrew Walker, an Overlooker, at the Parish Church, Bolton-le-Moors.
They had nine children so far known of.
By 1867 or possibly earlier, William and his family were settled in Halifax. Their move across the Pennines may have been prompted by the cotton famine which afflicted Lancashire in the early 1860s which caused many Lancashire workers to seek work in the more stable woollen industry in Yorkshire.
The 1881 census suggests a low ebb in William’s fortunes as his occupation is recorded as "Night Soil Labourer". This was one of the worst occupations in the history of labour, requiring the worker to shovel human excrement into barrows for transportation to sewage disposal sites.
He died on 27th December 1890 from Bronchitis, at his residence, 18 York Street, Northowram and his occupation is given as ‘formerly Cotton Carder’. The informant of death was his married daughter Martha Baxter, resident at 9 Back Beacon Terrace, Northowram.
By 1867 or possibly earlier, William and his family were settled in Halifax. Their move across the Pennines may have been prompted by the cotton famine which afflicted Lancashire in the early 1860s which caused many Lancashire workers to seek work in the more stable woollen industry in Yorkshire.
The 1881 census suggests a low ebb in William’s fortunes as his occupation is recorded as "Night Soil Labourer". This was one of the worst occupations in the history of labour, requiring the worker to shovel human excrement into barrows for transportation to sewage disposal sites.
He died on 27th December 1890 from Bronchitis, at his residence, 18 York Street, Northowram and his occupation is given as ‘formerly Cotton Carder’. The informant of death was his married daughter Martha Baxter, resident at 9 Back Beacon Terrace, Northowram.
Frances died aged 76 on 24th April 1900 in the Workhouse at Halifax, with her son John Wm in attendance.
NOTE: Today’s district known as Northowram is different to that in the 19th century. In most cases, where the McDanielson/McDonald family are found resident in Northowram, they lived in the area now known as Boothtown, particularly around the Haley Hill and All Soul’s districts.
NOTE: Today’s district known as Northowram is different to that in the 19th century. In most cases, where the McDanielson/McDonald family are found resident in Northowram, they lived in the area now known as Boothtown, particularly around the Haley Hill and All Soul’s districts.
Alexander was born c1827 in County Mayo, Ireland. On 29th March 1856 he married Eliza WELCH, daughter of Richard WELCH, a Labourer, at Christ Church,Bolton. Alexander's occupation is given as 'Grinder' and both he and Eliza were aged 29. No later records for either of them have been found.
Thomas was born c1829 in County Mayo, Ireland. He appears on the census for 1841, but no later record of him has been found.
Children of William and Frances McDonald
James was born 20th April 1847 in Bolton and registered with the surname 'McDonald'. He appears on only the 1851 census and no other records have been found.
Eleanor was born in Bolton on 30th March 1849 and registered with the surname 'McDonald'. In 1870, giving the surname 'McDanielson', she married Albert Beaumont (son of Adam Beaumont) in Halifax at the Parish Church and they lived first at Haley Hill, Northowram (Boothtown), but later moved to Bradford where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Eleanor and Albert had no children. She died, a widow, on 5th February 1935, from 'Myocarditis' and 'Asthma'.
William John was born on 10th July 1851 in Bolton and registered with the surname 'McDonald'. Most of the documents relating to him show that he preferred to reverse the order of his names and he is therefore referred to in the remainder of this report as 'John William'.
John William McDanielson On 31st August 1872 at the Halifax Parish Church, giving the surname 'McDanielson', he married Elizabeth Ann DUTTON (daughter of John Dutton – see DUTTON link). They had eight children, but one of them, Annie, appears to have been the result of an extra-marital affair which Elizabeth had with an unknown man (see later details for Annie McDanielson). John and Elizabeth are the direct ancestors of some of the current McDanielson family in England.
After the early death of his wife in 1897, John remarried in 1899 to a widow, Susan ASPINALL (nee SYKES – see her details in SYKES section). No children from their marriage have been found. However, one of Susan's children from her first marriage (Annie Aspinall) would herself later marry into the McDanielson family and form the blood link with the ASPINALL and SYKES families.
John William worked in a variety of labouring jobs, frequently as a 'Concreter's labourer'. He died on 9th April 1924 as the result of a fall at his home. A coroner's inquest was held and the report published in the local newspaper. Click here for the report.
After the early death of his wife in 1897, John remarried in 1899 to a widow, Susan ASPINALL (nee SYKES – see her details in SYKES section). No children from their marriage have been found. However, one of Susan's children from her first marriage (Annie Aspinall) would herself later marry into the McDanielson family and form the blood link with the ASPINALL and SYKES families.
John William worked in a variety of labouring jobs, frequently as a 'Concreter's labourer'. He died on 9th April 1924 as the result of a fall at his home. A coroner's inquest was held and the report published in the local newspaper. Click here for the report.
George is the direct ancestor of most of the current McDanielson family. He was born on 25th June 1853 in Bolton and registered with the surname 'McDonald'. On 22nd November 1875 at the Halifax Registry Office, giving the surname 'McDonninson' he married Alice Dutton (sister of Elizabeth Ann Dutton, referred to above and see DUTTON link) and his occupation at that time was a 'Miner'.
George and Alice (nee Dutton) McDanielson
He and Alice had seven children, plus one, James, who was born illegitimately to Alice in 1874 but raised with their other children. It's possible that James may have been George's own son, but there is no documentary evidence to confirm this.
According to anecdotal sources, George at some point went to Ireland with his brother 'Peter' to find work.[1] No likely record for 'Peter' has yet been found, but it's possible that George went to Ireland to find work in the Belfast shipyards, which were booming in the 1870s, or to a number of other industries and agricultural endeavours which had staged a strong revival after the Potato Famine of 1845.
The Sheffield Daily Telegraph of 28th June 1878 mentions George as a witness to an assault upon a fellow miner at a Barnsley colliery.
George is found on the Burgess Roll for Halifax in 1895. This was a list of persons eligible to vote, which suggests that George was of sufficient means to be included on such a list, though there is no evidence that he ever attained other than lower working-class income.
He died from lung disease and senility at the age of 80 on 13th June 1934 at 2 Roberts Buildings, Gibbet Street, Halifax.
[1] A Peter McDonald, born c1849 in Co Mayo, Ireland, is found living in the Southowram area of Halifax at the same time as George, but no link has been established between them.
Martha was born 31st August 1855 in Bolton and registered with the surname 'McDonald'. Her birth certificate records no middle name, but on later records she is found as Martha Ann, which may have been a baptismal name.
On 13th July 1872, giving the surname 'McDanielson' she married James Henry BAXTER at the Halifax Parish Church and later that same year had their first son, Isaac Edward. Two more children followed: Lilly, 1875 and Harry, 1882.
Martha's date of death has not been established, but the last known addresses for her were in 1915, at 16 Marsh Lane, Southowram and in 1918 at 18 Geldard Road, Birstall, Leeds.
Her son Isaac Edward, and both his sons, Walter Renshaw and James Henry, were all killed in WW1. Isaac died in action on 17 April 1915 in Belgium.[1] Walter died in action on 10th April 1918.[2] James died on 14th September 1916 at Somme, France.[3] Isaac and James are commemorated on the war memorial at Pinnar Lane, Southowram (James is recorded as ‘H Baxter’) and all three men are recorded on the War Memorial at Birstall.
Margaret was born on 5th November 1857 in Bolton and registered with the surname 'McDonald'. Her birth certificate records her hour of birth, suggesting a twin birth, but no other evidence of this has been found.
On 31st March 1877 at the Halifax Parish Church, giving the surname 'McDaniel' she married Isaac PICKLES, son of William PICKLES, and later the same year gave birth to Sarah Ellen.
It may be inferred that by 1881 their marriage had collapsed, since Isaac is found on the census living with his grandparents, his daughter is found living with Margaret's parents (William and Frances McDonald) and Margaret herself is not definitely identified on the census. An entry for a Margaret McDonald in Halifax, lodging with the Balme family, may be hers.
Margaret reappears in the records in 1889 when she married Alfred BARKER at the Halifax Parish Church on 25th December. She gives her father's name as William McDanielson and is recorded as 'Widowed'. However, it seems that Isaac had not died as his likely entry is found on census records up to 1901 and he is absent from the death indexes (until 1905 when a death is recorded for Isaac Pickles age 53, in Halifax). It’s possible that they had split by mutual consent, which was common practice at the time, since divorce was difficult and expensive for the working classes. Margaret may therefore have committed bigamy, which though illegal, also was common practice.
She and Alfred had two children: Elizabeth (probably registered as PICKLES but baptised as BARKER) 9th May 1886 (which pre-dates the Barker marriage) and Harriet 6th August 1892, both baptised 10th April 1893.
Elizabeth BARKER married Frederick Thomas LAYCOCK, a Driver with the Royal Field Artillery, on 4th December 1916 at Halifax Parish Church. The marriage was by licence and witnessed by her father, Alfred, who worked at that time as a Driller and by Oswald Firth (see below). Frederick was later awarded the Victory and British Medals in recognition of his wartime service (Reg No 129784).
Harriet BARKER married Oswald Firth, a ‘Brass Turretter’ at Halifax Parish Church on 7th April 1917. Her father Alfred was now deceased, age 64, and the marriage was witnessed by her sister Elizabeth (Laycock) and Austin (or Justin) Turner.
Margaret’s daughter by Isaac PICKLES, Sarah Ellen, married John William VICKERMAN, a Driver, on 28th February 1903 at All Saints Church, Salterhebble, Halifax. Her father is not recorded as ‘deceased’ and his occupation is given as ‘Labourer’. Sarah and John had two children living at the time of the 1911 census, William and Gladys.
Margaret is likely to be one of the witnesses to her brother John William’s second marriage in 1899 (to Susan ASPINALL). The witness marked with an X and is recorded by the registrar as 'Margaret Parker'.
Margaret's date of death is not yet known, but a death for a Margaret Barker age 87 is found in the civil registration index of 1944 at Halifax.
NOTE: The 1901 census records in the Barker household two adopted children: Edward BOOSEY aged 17 and Emily BOOSEY aged 13, both born in Derby. The likely parentage and future marriages of these children have been traced through the census and civil registration records, but no indication of how or why they came to be living with Margaret and Alfred has been found, nor of any continuing relationship with the Barkers.
Frances was born on 17th February 1860 at Bolton, registered with the surname 'McDonald'. The 1881 census records her as 'Frances McDonaldson' boarding at a house in Skircoat, Halifax.
On 20th December 1883, giving the surname 'McDanielson' she married James BRIER, a Joiner, at the Parish Church of St Thomas, Eccleston, Lancashire. It's not known why they married in Lancashire, since James himself was born in Halifax.
The 1911 census records that of eight children born to the couple, two had died. Records of only seven children have so far been found: Royston 1886[4]; Annie 1889; James 1893; Ernest 1895; Frances 1897; Ethel 1900; Leonard c1907; all born in Halifax.
Frances died on 16 November 1926 at her residence, 12 Higgin Lane, Southowram, Halifax. She was recorded as 'Widow' of James Brier.
[1] Isaac Baxter was killed at Hill 60 and is buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. He held the rank of Private, number 3/2303, 1st Bn., King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry[2] Walter Renshaw Baxter held the rank of Private, number 31277, 1st/4th Bn., Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium[3] James Henry Baxter held the rank of Sergeant and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France[4] Royston Brier may be the same individual found on the 1920 and 1930 US census records, named James Royston McDanielson.
NOTE: The 1901 census records in the Barker household two adopted children: Edward BOOSEY aged 17 and Emily BOOSEY aged 13, both born in Derby. The likely parentage and future marriages of these children have been traced through the census and civil registration records, but no indication of how or why they came to be living with Margaret and Alfred has been found, nor of any continuing relationship with the Barkers.
Frances was born on 17th February 1860 at Bolton, registered with the surname 'McDonald'. The 1881 census records her as 'Frances McDonaldson' boarding at a house in Skircoat, Halifax.
On 20th December 1883, giving the surname 'McDanielson' she married James BRIER, a Joiner, at the Parish Church of St Thomas, Eccleston, Lancashire. It's not known why they married in Lancashire, since James himself was born in Halifax.
The 1911 census records that of eight children born to the couple, two had died. Records of only seven children have so far been found: Royston 1886[4]; Annie 1889; James 1893; Ernest 1895; Frances 1897; Ethel 1900; Leonard c1907; all born in Halifax.
Frances died on 16 November 1926 at her residence, 12 Higgin Lane, Southowram, Halifax. She was recorded as 'Widow' of James Brier.
[1] Isaac Baxter was killed at Hill 60 and is buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. He held the rank of Private, number 3/2303, 1st Bn., King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry[2] Walter Renshaw Baxter held the rank of Private, number 31277, 1st/4th Bn., Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium[3] James Henry Baxter held the rank of Sergeant and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France[4] Royston Brier may be the same individual found on the 1920 and 1930 US census records, named James Royston McDanielson.
Elizabeth was born on 2nd April 1864 at Bolton and registered with the surname McDonald. On 6th May 1888, giving the surname 'McDonaldson' she married Luke NICHOLL at the Halifax Parish Church.
The 1891 census records her resident with her mother, Frances McDanielson, at 18 York Street North, Northowram, along with three children: Alfred c1888; Wilfred c1889 and Luke, c1891. Her husband is not listed in the household but a probable entry for him is found at a lodging house in Ovenden. It was common for husbands to lodge away if they worked outside their home locality.
The family (minus the now deceased Frances McDanielson) are found on the 1901 census living at 9 York Street, Charlestown, Halifax, with their children Wilfred age 12, Luke age 10, Isaac age 7 and William age 3. Nothing more is known of these children, with the exception of Luke, who appears on the 1911 census lodging with the Crossley family and on 3rd April 1915 he married Elsie DAWSON in 1915 at St Thomas’ Church, Charlestown, Halifax. His mother is shown on the 1911 census now widowed (Luke Snr had died in 1909) and resident with her other three sons.
Elizabeth died on 8th January 1946 at the age of 81, at the Halifax General Hospital. Her address at that time was 135 New Bank, Halifax and the death was registered by her son Luke, who gave his address as 39 Park View Avenue, Halifax.
Mary Ann was born on 20th May 1867 at 7 Swan Bank, Halifax and died there aged 10 months on 2nd April 1868 of ‘Tubercular disease of brain. Convulsions’.
Children of John William McDANIELSON and Elizabeth Ann DUTTON
Eight children were born to Elizabeth, one of whom (Annie) does not appear to be the natural child of John William, though was raised as his daughter.
John William [Jr] was born on 21st November 1873 at 31 St Thomas Street, Northowram. On 7th August 1899 at St Thomas' Church, Charlestown, Halifax, he married Alice SLEIGHT (daughter of David SLEIGHT) from Doncaster. They both gave the same address on the certificate – 34 Beech Hill Terrace, Halifax.
By the middle of 1900 they had a son, Harold but it appears that John was already ill with tuberculosis and he died on 9th August 1901 from 'Phthisis 18 months', aged 27 at his home address, 15 Ebor Street, Halifax.
Eight children were born to Elizabeth, one of whom (Annie) does not appear to be the natural child of John William, though was raised as his daughter.
John William [Jr] was born on 21st November 1873 at 31 St Thomas Street, Northowram. On 7th August 1899 at St Thomas' Church, Charlestown, Halifax, he married Alice SLEIGHT (daughter of David SLEIGHT) from Doncaster. They both gave the same address on the certificate – 34 Beech Hill Terrace, Halifax.
By the middle of 1900 they had a son, Harold but it appears that John was already ill with tuberculosis and he died on 9th August 1901 from 'Phthisis 18 months', aged 27 at his home address, 15 Ebor Street, Halifax.
On 30th May 1903 Alice remarried at Halifax to Charles SWINDELLS, a Tinsmith. Her residence at the time was the Crossley and Porter Orphanage, which later became and remains a grammar school. It’s not known why she lived there, but it may be that her son, Harold McDanielson, was suffering from Spastic Paraplegia (from which he died in 1925) and perhaps the orphanage was the only institution which could offer them both shelter after she was widowed. She and Charles appear to have settled in Doncaster and had two children (1911 census refers).
Ellen was born in 1875 and died on 8th May 1880 of 'Convulsions'.
Sarah was born in 1878 and died on 15th September 1880 from 'Marasmus' (infant malnutrition).
Thomas was born in 1881 and died, unmarried, on 30th May 1916 of heart failure and pulmonary tuberculosis at the Halifax Union Workhouse. His home address was 40 Park Street, Halifax and his occupation on the death certificate is shown as 'Carter'. The death was notified by his step-mother Susan McDANIELSON (formerly ASPINALL, nee SYKES) who was resident at 26 Union Street, Halifax.
Jane was born 25th August 1883 at 15 Clay Street, Halifax. On 1st June 1907 she married Alfred WILBY, son of John and Emma Wilby and her address is recorded as Wainman Street, Halifax. The marriage was witnessed by Eliza CROSSLAND, her cousin (see DUTTON link) and the CROSSLAND family were resident at Wainman Street in 1901, so it's possible that Jane lived with them.
She is missing from the 1901 census but is found on the 1911 census at 71 Prospect St, Halifax with husband Alfred and 2-year old son, Arthur.
She appears in 1916 as the informant of death for an illegitimate child, Eva, born to her sister Annie. (See entry for Annie).
Jane is mentioned in her father's inquest report in 1924, but no later records for her have been found.
Annie was born on 1st October 1884 at 15 Clay Street, Halifax. Her mother's name is recorded as 'Elizabeth Ann McDanielson, formerly DUTTON' and her father is shown as 'Edwin Alfred McDANIELSON' occupation 'Insurance agent', also of 15 Clay Street.
Annie McDanielson
It's not known if Annie was aware of her true paternity, though she was raised as John William's daughter and named him as her father when she married. No trace of Edwin Alfred McDanielson has been found in any record other than Annie's birth certificate.
Annie had two illegitimate children, Eva who died one day old in 1916, and Eric, 1917. She married in 1920 to Thomas Churchman and they had one son, Maurice in 1921. He joined the RAF at the outbreak of WWII and died in 1944 during a bombing raid over Leipzig.
Annie had two illegitimate children, Eva who died one day old in 1916, and Eric, 1917. She married in 1920 to Thomas Churchman and they had one son, Maurice in 1921. He joined the RAF at the outbreak of WWII and died in 1944 during a bombing raid over Leipzig.
Flight Sgt Maurice Churchman
Annie died aged 87 on 25th September 1972 at Towngate, Sowerby Bridge, from heart failure.
Arthur was born in 1887 and on June 27th 1914 married Elspeth WILLOUGHBY, daughter of Frederick WILLOUGHBY, a Blacksmith, at Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax. They had two children, Frederick c1916 and Audrey c1918. Arthur died in 1967.
Arthur was born in 1887 and on June 27th 1914 married Elspeth WILLOUGHBY, daughter of Frederick WILLOUGHBY, a Blacksmith, at Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax. They had two children, Frederick c1916 and Audrey c1918. Arthur died in 1967.
Arthur and ElspethNote: Arthur served during World War I, but research has not established the precise details of his service. Difficulty arises because his cousin, also named Arthur, who was the son of George McDanielson, served at the same time and the records available to date do not give dates of birth.
Albert was born in 1889 and died on 16th January 1891 aged 2 years. The cause of death is recorded as 'Convulsions' and the informant of death was his father, resident at 57 Steep Bank Side, Southowram Bank, Halifax.
Children of George McDANIELSON and Alice DUTTON
Children of George McDANIELSON and Alice DUTTON
George and Alice had eight children, but the eldest child, James, was born illegitimately to Alice, though, as previously mentioned, may have been George's son.
James was born on 11th August 1874 at 3 Well Street, Northowram. His surname was registered as DUTTON and the father's name is not given. The address however is that where George's parents lived in 1881, 3 Well St, Northowram.
Speculation suggests that George may unknowingly have left Alice with child before perhaps departing for Ireland. Given that neither he nor his family could read or write and that he may well have been difficult to locate if he were moving around Ireland, he may have been unaware that he'd become a father in his absence, hence their marriage 14 months after the child's birth. Whatever the truth of the matter, James was raised as George's son, though on official documents and on the 1901 and 1911 censuses, retained his Dutton surname, so clearly the child was aware that his mother was unmarried when he was born.
James was born on 11th August 1874 at 3 Well Street, Northowram. His surname was registered as DUTTON and the father's name is not given. The address however is that where George's parents lived in 1881, 3 Well St, Northowram.
Speculation suggests that George may unknowingly have left Alice with child before perhaps departing for Ireland. Given that neither he nor his family could read or write and that he may well have been difficult to locate if he were moving around Ireland, he may have been unaware that he'd become a father in his absence, hence their marriage 14 months after the child's birth. Whatever the truth of the matter, James was raised as George's son, though on official documents and on the 1901 and 1911 censuses, retained his Dutton surname, so clearly the child was aware that his mother was unmarried when he was born.
On 23rd December 1895 James married Clara MAHON (daughter of Charles MAHON, a local butcher) at St James’ Church in Halifax. James' residence was at 10 Wiscombe Back Terrace, Halifax (spelled erroneously as Westcomb on their marriage certificate) and Clara resided at 19 Orange Street, Halifax.
They are found on the 1901 census living at 10 Belmont Street, Charlestown. By 1911 they had moved to Hunslet, Leeds. They had no children.
Mary Ann was born on 25th October 1876 at 5 Steep Bank Side, Southowram. On 4th February 1899 she married Edwin Fletcher Foster, son of Samuel and Martha Foster, at St Thomas' Church, Charlestown, Halifax. They had only one child known of, Harry Fletcher Foster, born 1902 in Halifax. Anecdotal sources say that Harry died in his twenties during a visit to Halifax, but no record of this has been found.
In 1911 the Fosters were resident with George and Alice at 52 Wadsworth St, Halifax and this census notes that the couple had had 3 children, of whom 2 had died. Just after the census Edwin emigrated to the US aboard the SS Carmania and in 1913 Mary Ann and their son joined him and took up residence at 171 Linden Street, Yonkers, New York. They were employed in the mill industry and are found on the census records for 1920 and 1930. The latter census gives their address as 338 Walnut Street, Yonkers. They were still in rented accommodation ($40 per month) and were both carpet workers.
No record of their son after his arrival in New York in 1913 has been found.
Alfred was born 27th October 1878 at Old Bank, Southowram. In February 1899 he witnessed the marriage of his sister Mary Ann to Edwin Fletcher Foster and died two months later on 9th April 1899 at 10 Wiscombe Back Terrace, aged 20, from pneumonia.
Edwin was born on 4th November 1880 at Gashouse Lane, Southowram and he is the direct ancestor of most of the current McDanielson family in England. By 1891 at the age of 10 he was working as a Mill Hand in the Worsted industry and is found on the census for that year with his family at Steep Bank Side, Southowram.
Alfred was born 27th October 1878 at Old Bank, Southowram. In February 1899 he witnessed the marriage of his sister Mary Ann to Edwin Fletcher Foster and died two months later on 9th April 1899 at 10 Wiscombe Back Terrace, aged 20, from pneumonia.
Edwin was born on 4th November 1880 at Gashouse Lane, Southowram and he is the direct ancestor of most of the current McDanielson family in England. By 1891 at the age of 10 he was working as a Mill Hand in the Worsted industry and is found on the census for that year with his family at Steep Bank Side, Southowram.
On 2nd November 1901 he married Annie ASPINALL, the daughter of Susan McDANIELSON (formerly ASPINALL, nee SYKES, who had married John William McDANIELSON in 1899) and her late husband James ASPINALL. At the time of the marriage Edwin lived at 1 Oates Street, Halifax and Annie lived at 28 Oates Street, Halifax. Edwin's occupation was recorded as 'Labourer'.
They had only two children: Arnold 1903 and Winnie (Winifred) in 1908. See later sections for their details.
Edwin served in the First World War as a Driver with the Royal Field Artillery. Research has not established where he served, nor the length of his service, but he was awarded the Victory and British Medals, which were issued to personnel who had served in a theatre of war. His rank as driver probably meant that he was responsible for two horses in his battery.
British War Medal Victory Medal
In civilian life he had no particular trade or profession, as reflected in the varying occupations shown on the documents where he is recorded. His last occupation, given on his death certificate in 1956 was 'Bowling Green Keeper'. He died on 31st December that year, aged 76, from heart failure and bronchitis at 20 Siddal Street, Halifax. His daughter Winnie was the informant of death.
Hannah was born 14th September 1882 and died aged 1 month. The family were still resident at Gashouse Lane and George's occupation at that time was 'Coal Miner'.
Frank was born 7th September 1883 at Pineberry Hill, Southowram. His father, George, was still employed as a coal miner. Frank died on 10th December 1886 from 'Measles Bronchitis' aged 3, and the family address is given as 7 Pineberry Hill.
Harry was born 16th January 1886 at 3 Pineberry Hill, Southowram. On 1st January 1910 at St Augustine's Church, Halifax, he married Edith ACKROYD, daughter of James ACKROYD. Harry's occupation at the time of his marriage was a 'Cotton Bander' and his address was 52 Wadsworth Street, Halifax.
Hannah was born 14th September 1882 and died aged 1 month. The family were still resident at Gashouse Lane and George's occupation at that time was 'Coal Miner'.
Frank was born 7th September 1883 at Pineberry Hill, Southowram. His father, George, was still employed as a coal miner. Frank died on 10th December 1886 from 'Measles Bronchitis' aged 3, and the family address is given as 7 Pineberry Hill.
Harry was born 16th January 1886 at 3 Pineberry Hill, Southowram. On 1st January 1910 at St Augustine's Church, Halifax, he married Edith ACKROYD, daughter of James ACKROYD. Harry's occupation at the time of his marriage was a 'Cotton Bander' and his address was 52 Wadsworth Street, Halifax.
Only one child born to Harry and Edith is so far known of – Vera, who died on 17th September 1910 aged 24 days at 24 Wainman Street.
Harry served in World War I as a private with the Border Regiment, regimental number 32127. This Regiment was based at Carlisle, Cumbria (formerly Cumberland) and its recruits were usually selected from local men. Why he joined this regiment is not known and it may or may not be a coincidence that at around the same time, his nephew Arnold was attending the Cockermouth Industrial School (see later). Like his brother Edwin, Harry was awarded the Victory and British Medals. In addition he received the Silver War Badge, which implies that he was injured during his service.
He died in 1967 and his address at that time was 2 Ling Bob Close, Rye Lane, Halifax. His grave lies at Mount Zion Church, Holmfield, Halifax at Plot V16, where he is interred with his wife Edith, who died in 1964 and with Christianna and Joe GOTT. Christianna was Edith's married sister.
Arthur was born 16th April 1888 at 7 Pineberry Hill, Southowram. The 1901 census shows that at age 12 he was employed as a 'Worsted Operative'. In 1914 he married Ethel SHAW and they had three children, Kenneth and Alice (pictured below) and Donald. Arthur died on 7th August 1945.
Note: Arthur served during World War I, but research has not established the precise details of his service. Difficulty arises because his cousin, also named Arthur, who was the son of John William McDanielson, served at the same time and the records available to date do not give a date of birth.
Children of Edwin McDANIELSON and Annie ASPINALL
Arnold was born on 17th June 1903 at 28 Oates Street, Halifax and is the direct ancestor of most of the current McDanielson family. It's not known what his earliest employment was, though it's likely to have been in the local woollen mills.
Arnold aged about 9
Beginning in 1912, Arnold spent three years at the Cockermouth Industrial School, Cumberland. According to one source (www.workhouses.org.uk/index.html?IS/history.shtml), its purpose was to give education and industrial training to ‘those children whose education is neglected by their parents, or who are found wandering or in bad company’. In Arnold’s case he was sent to the school after being birched (at age 9) for theft.
The 1911 census finds Arnold resident with his aunt and uncle, Alice and Sykes Aspinall at 9 New Street, Bailiffe Bridge, Brighouse. It's not known why he was not living with his parents at this time.
In August 1919, at the age of 16, Arnold joined the West Riding Regiment (army no: 4602622) as a Boy Soldier, at which time his occupation was a Labourer. His military service during this period was brief and undistinguished, his records noting that he was placed in detention for ‘losing by neglect his clothing, etc’ and at the time of his discharge, in December 1920, his character was noted as ‘indifferent'.
On 12th April 1924 he married Annie Maud SCHOFIELD, daughter of Fred and Maria (nee KNOTT) Schofield at the Halifax Registry Office and his address at that time was 13 Padan Street, Siddal, Halifax.
Arnold and Annie had thirteen children, the first two, Fred and Donald*, were born and died in 1924 and 1925 respectively. Of the later eleven (eight daughters and three sons), ten survived to maturity, the exception being Ann, who died as an infant in 1945, of diptheria.
Five of Annie and Arnold’s children have died in recent years. Iris ( later BOWERS) born1940, died 1997 in Halifax; Jean (later DOIG) born 1930 Died 2004(?) in Australia; Betty (later BOOCOCK) born 1934 died 2002 in Halifax; Margaret (later HAINES, later McLOCKLIN) born 1933 died 2009 Halifax; Trevor born 1927 died 2011 in Swindon.
NB: *Donald’s birth certificate notes his mother’s maiden name as ‘KNOTT. This however was a misunderstanding on the part of his mother, Annie Maud, nee SCHOFIELD, who in confusion gave her own mother’s maiden name to the registrar.
At the outbreak of World War II Arnold was called up and joined the Royal Engineers, on 20 October 1939, in which he served as a Lance Corporal and trained as a Stevedore and Ship Wright. His army number was 1489230. It’s thought that he served in France and was evacuated from Dunkirk, but it has not been possible to confirm this. However, it is known that the Royal Engineers played an important role in that operation.
In the post-war years he worked mainly in local mills. His sparse pocket-diary records that he began work at Standeven Mills (a woollen mill in Halifax) on 2nd August 1954, followed that same year by his wife Annie and daughter Betty. He acquired the nickname ‘Pierre’ as a humorous reference to the beret he usually wore to work.
His children recall him as an unloving father and a roughshod disciplinarian, with little time for his ever increasing brood and quick to mete out physical punishment, but in fairness, he was little different from many working-class fathers of the time. The older of his thirty grandchildren recall him as a strict, but kindly man.
Arnold aged about 60
Arnold possessed some minor artistic talent. He had a keen interest in photography, developing his own good quality pictures and many of his photo's survive today. He also liked to paint watercolours and would occasionally do small woodworking projects.
He suffered throughout his life with peptic ulcers and dental problems (he was afraid of dentists and used to pull his own teeth) and in his last years became restricted to a diet largely of milk and bread. He died of thrombosis on 9th October 1972 at the Halifax General Hospital.
Winnie was born on 6th October 1908 at 9 Brinton Terrace, Halifax. Her father's occupation at that time was 'Brass Fettler'.
On 20th February 1943 at the Halifax Parish Church she married widower Harry Herbert DRAKE, who was ten years her senior. Her father's occupation is recorded as 'Bowling Green Keeper'. Winnie and Harry had two daughters and one son so far known of, born 1944 ,1945 and 1950 respectively.
Winnie was the informant of death for her parents and her address on their death certificates is given as 122 Backhold Drive, Siddal.
Nothing else is known of Winnie and she appears not to have maintained contact with her brother after the war years. She died in 1972, just a few weeks before Arnold.
He suffered throughout his life with peptic ulcers and dental problems (he was afraid of dentists and used to pull his own teeth) and in his last years became restricted to a diet largely of milk and bread. He died of thrombosis on 9th October 1972 at the Halifax General Hospital.
Winnie was born on 6th October 1908 at 9 Brinton Terrace, Halifax. Her father's occupation at that time was 'Brass Fettler'.
On 20th February 1943 at the Halifax Parish Church she married widower Harry Herbert DRAKE, who was ten years her senior. Her father's occupation is recorded as 'Bowling Green Keeper'. Winnie and Harry had two daughters and one son so far known of, born 1944 ,1945 and 1950 respectively.
Winnie was the informant of death for her parents and her address on their death certificates is given as 122 Backhold Drive, Siddal.
Nothing else is known of Winnie and she appears not to have maintained contact with her brother after the war years. She died in 1972, just a few weeks before Arnold.
