52 Ancestors: Week 17: Herbert Henry Fairbairn (1880-1890)

Herbert Henry Fairbairn. 

What was his story? I've always wondered. 

He was born, the illegitimate child, of Maria Fairbairn in June quarter 1880. 

And he was buried in Smethwick Cemetery on 27 July 1890. 

He was just 10 years old. 

His mother had recently married Thomas Boot on 6 April 1890 at Old Church, Smethwick. She went on to have three more children: Frederick (1882), Thomas Henry (1891) and Nora (1893).

What was his story?

52 Ancestors: Week 16: Catherine Burns and brother Bernard Burns - Ireland to Canada

On 15 May 1920, Catherine Burns, the sister of Bernard Burns, of Belfast completed Form 30A - Canadian Ocean Arrivals.  On the form she stated she was a 26 year old machine operator of Belfast, Ireland.  She was coming to Canada for work, had 40 shillings in her possession and her passage had been paid for by C Turnbull Co.  Her next of kin was listed as her brother, Bernard of 8 Murphy Street, Belfast.

On 23 September (?) 1922, Bernard Burns completed Form 30A - Canadian Ocean Arrivals.  On the form his present occupation was listed as general jobber but his intended occupation was that of tanner.  He was going to Canada with the intention of settling permanently and had £5 in his possession.  His passage was paid by his sister, Catherine Burns of 76 Queen Street North, Kitchener, Ont.  Bernard's next of kin, in his country of origin, was given as his brother, Hugh Burns of 8 Murphy Street, Belfast.

CB Source - Ancestry
BB Source - Ancestry

52 Ancestors: Week 15: James Swan

James Swan was born about 1819 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. James lived in St Pancras, Middlesex, England in 1851 but by 1861 he was back living in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.

I believe James had the following children:

• William Albert Swann was born in 1841 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.
• Alfred Swann was born in 1843 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. 
• Eliza Swan was born in 1845/1849 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. 
• Mary Swan was born in 1850/1852 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. 
• Jane Swan was born about 1850/1852 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. 
• Edward Swan was born about 1854 in London, England. 
• Ellen Swan was born about 1856 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. 
• Elizabeth Swan was born about 1858 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. 
• Phoebe Swan was born about 1860 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. 

My research question is to find out if this family is related to the famous silversmith,James Josiah Swann (1837- 1922).

52 Ancestors: Week 14: Alfred Smallwood (1815-1893 Birmingham)

Alfred Smallwood was born in 1815 in Aston, Birmingham, England to Joseph and Mary Smallwood. He died on 20 September 1893 in Staffordshire, England. He was a Brass Founder.

When he was about 44, he married Sarah Dell Arnold (daughter of Francis Arnold and Mary Dell) on 28 March 1859 in Aston, St Peter and St Paul, Warwickshire, England.

Alfred Smallwood and Sarah Dell Arnold had the following children:

• Alfred Smallwood born 1843
• Elizabeth B Smallwood born 1846
• Frank Smallwood was born 1861
• Emily Arnold Smallwood was born about 1864