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Airey Family History

Miscellaneous Information on family members from William Airey (1743-1806) to present.

WILLIAM AIREY :

William Airey (also variously spelt Ayrey or Ayray) was my great, great, great-grandfather and he lived in the Hamlet of Cowan Bridge in the Township of Leck, Tunstall Parish, North East Lancashire. He was born in 1743 at an unknown (to date) location, but we know he worked as a Husbandman (farm hand) in Cowan Bridge. He married Anne Wilson on the 4th of September in 1780 at St John the Baptist Church, Tunstall.

William and Anne had five children: Mary (born 4-11-1782, Bp. 1-12-1782); Jane (born 16-10-1785, Bp. 30-10-1785, died 3-6-1825 - age 39); William (born 3-5-1787, Bp. 27-5-1787); George (born 17-10-1788, Bp. 16-11-1788); and, Ann (born 19-1-1791, Bp. 20-3-1791). The records for the marriage, and all five baptisms, were found in the Tunstall Parish Register. William died (and/or was buried) in Leck on the 9th of September in 1806 aged 63. Ann died on the 6th of August, 1834.

Williamï¿½s youngest daughter Ann, married Joshua Moore on the 12th of April 1817; they had: Jane (B. & Bp. 9-11-1817); Ann (B. & Bp. 23-1-1820); John (B. & Bp. 11-4-1824).

William Airey Jnr, an Innkeeper, married Elizabeth Barrat on the 8th of August in 1828, and they had Ann (Bp. 8-11-1829, Died: 25-2-1862). The graves of William, and his daughter Ann, were both found in the Tunstall Parish Church (St Johnï¿½s) Graveyard in 1984. According to the 1851 Census, he appears to have had a son from a previous marriage (Anthony, born: Circa 1818) living at the Inn with the family in Cowan Bridge. William died 17-2-1857 - age 69.

Note: Cowan Bridge has some association with four of the Brontï¿½ sisters (Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Emily), all four of whom, attended the Clergy Daughtersï¿½ School - the building is still there, just north of the bridge - in the early eighteen hundreds (1824 to 1825). Conditions there were very harsh, and the eldest two, died whilst living there in 1825 (Maria in May and Elizabeth in June). Emily and Charlotte left soon afterwards. The School was later to become the basis for Lowewood in the novel ï¿½Jane Eyreï¿½ by Charlotte Brontï¿½. Some, or all of the sisters, also lived (for a short while) in a room above the entrance to the Parish Church in Tunstall.

GEORGE AIREY:

George Airey (great, great-grandfather) was the fourth child of William Airey and Anne Wilson, and was also born in the Hamlet of Cowan Bridge on the 17th of October in 1788; he later worked as a Joiner (Carpenter). He married Elizabeth Charnley on the 1st of January in 1828. Elizabeth - who was born in Wennington on Christmas day in 1793 - was a fifth-generation Charnley, descended from William of Tatham (born: Circa 1619). George and Elizabeth also had five children: Anne (Bp. 15-3-1829); Thomas (Bp. 9-1-1831): Mary Jane (Bp. 4-8-1833); and, George (born 30-11-1842, Bp. 19-3-1843).

1851 Census: (George is absent) Listed are Elizabeth (age 57), Joiners wife; Thomas (age 20), Cordwainer [Shoemaker]; William (age 11), Scholar; George (age 8), Scholar. All children born in Leck (either the village of Leck, or Cowan Bridge in Leck [i.e. Township of Leck] ).

1861 Census: George Airey, Carpenter (age 72), Head; Elizabeth (age 67), Wife; William (Age 21), Railway Labourer; George (age 18), Scholar.

George Airey (of Leck) died and/or was buried on Christmas Day, 1866, aged 78 years. Elizabeth, his wife (late of Cowan Bridge), died and/or was buried on the 5th of November in 1868, aged 74 years.

GEORGE AIREY:

George Airey (great-grandfather) was the fifth child of George Airey and Elizabeth Charnley. He was born on the 30th of November in 1842, and was baptised at St Peterï¿½s Church in nearby Leck, on the 19th of March in 1843. George was a scholar at a school in nearby Kirkby Lonsdale (details ?) until the age of at least 18 (see 1861 census), and later, moved to Leicester, where he worked as a Corn Factors Clerk. He was married to Annie Blissett Bird of Warmington, Oundle, Northhamptonshire on the 31st of March in 1867 at All Saints Church in Leicester, and lived at 2 Henry Street. Annie was a forth-generation, descended down through her Grandmotherï¿½s side (Mary Blissett), from Thomas Blissett and Martha Johnson (married: 28-7-1755) of Burgh-le-Marsh (3 miles west of Skegness) in Lincolnshire.

1871 Census: George (29) and Annie (24) living at 82 Welford Road with Mary Blissett Bird (Annieï¿½s mother - age 56), and one child - George Alfred, age 5 months, born 5-11-1870. Annie is listed as a Sewing Machinist, from Oundle, Northants, and her mother as a Book Binder born in Freiston [near coast, just East of Boston], Lincolnshire.

In 1871 George was employed in the hosiery trade and his birth place was listed in the census as [Crown] Bridge. Three daughters had by then (1871), died in infancy, within less than two years of one another: Ellen Maud in 1869, Anne in 1870, and Julia Elizabeth in 1870). Ann and Julia Elizabeth both died just before Christmas, 1870 within the space of 5 days, and just six or seven weeks after George Alfred was born. All three are buried in a plot (uncon Sect 1) along with Mary Blissett Bird. The plot was bought by George Airey. During the years 1874 to 1876, the family lived at 36 Walnut Street, and then at 27 Filbert Street between 1876 and 1879, moving to 123 Vernon Road in 1880.

1881 Census: The family still at 123 Vernon Road with six more children (Charles Henry - 1872; William Anthony Bird - 1875; Florence Elizabeth - 1876; Edith Harriet - 1877; Beatrice - 1879; Harry Simpson - 1880).

Later, there were two more children born: Albert Edward Victor - 1882, and Annie Ellen - 1885. George was working as a bookkeeper in a hosiery warehouse, and living at 14 Denmark Street in Aylestone, when he died on the 31st of May, 1890, at the age of 47. He was buried at St Andrewï¿½s Church in Aylestone. Annie, continued to live at that address.

1891 Census: Annie now a widow and living at 14 Denmark Road in Aylestone with family (no details ?). She lived at 132 Knighton Lane between 1902 and 1904, and was living at 349 Tudor Road by the end of W.W.1 in 1918.

She remained at that address until her death (age 84) on the 26th of May, 1930. She was buried at the Welford Road Cemetery, 22 North Walk (Con ï¿½Oï¿½ 1689) along with daughter Beatrice Airey (died: 14-1-1916, age 36); son, Harry Simpson Airey (died: 27-1-1908, age 27); George Albert Airey - relationship unknown (died: 4-4-1916, age 1y-8m). Annie bought this plot (50983 [Harry], 55813 [Beatrice], 55941 [George Albert], and 63748 [Annie] )- one space left.

George and Annieï¿½s Children:

Ann: Born around May (June Qtr) of 1867, and died in 1870 - age 3 years and 8 months. She was buried at Welford Road Cemetery (Uncon I-363 single grave) on the 22nd of December, 1870.

Ellen Maude: Born around July (Sept Qtr) of 1868, and died in 1869 - age 7 months. Buried at Welford Road Cemetery on the 7th of February, 1869.

Julia Elizabeth: Born around August (Sept Qtr) of 1869, and died in 1870 - age 16 months. Buried at Welford Road Cemetery on the 7th of February, 1869.

George Alfred Airey (1870-1941) - see details below.

Charles Henry: Born in 1872; married Annie during June Qtr, 1900. He was employed as a Pressman in the Boot and Shoe Industry according to the ï¿½Leicester Trade Directoryï¿½; they lived at 32 Wigston Lane between 1909 and 1920. Additional information from the 'Leicestershire Commercial and General Directory,' says that he was employed as warehouseman between 1909 and 1911, and as a Shoe Operative between 1911 and 1924. Charles and Annieï¿½s children were: Charles Gordon, born 1900-01, married to Edith May, and had daughter, Gwendoline Florence, Bp. 11-1-1925 at St Andrews; Edith Rosa, born 1906; William Harold, born 1910/11. Charles Henry died in 1951 at the age of 78. Charles Gordon was employed as a Clicker in 1932, and lived at 132 Landsdowne Road.

William Anthony Bird: Born March Qtr, 1875; married Edith Ellen Gee, on May 31st, 1902 at St James Church Aylestone Park and they lived at 132 Knighton Lane. During 1904-05, they lived at 76 Vernon Road; moving back to Knighton Lane, and living at numbers 138 (1910-11), and 192 (1918). Their children were: Edith Mary, baptised 4-1-1903, at St Andrews, Aylestone; Richard Edmund, Born 1906; Dorothy Evelyn, Born 1909 and Baptised St Andrews Church, Aylestone. William Anthony was employed as a Shoe Hand between 1911 and 1914 while living at 138 Knighton Lane. The date of his death is unknown. The family is rumoured (by Clarice Annie Laurie) to have gone to Australia.

Florence Elizabeth: Born on the 23rd of July in 1876, and was baptised 15-3-1891? She married Edwin Sibson on the 25th of May, 1903 at Holy Cross Church. They lived at 132 Knighton Lane at the time of their marriage, and at 349 Tudor Road from around 1905-06. This is the same address as her sister Beatrice (1916), and her mother, Annie Blissett (1930) at the time of their deaths. Annie lived with the family for 15-20 years. Florence and Edwin had Thirza, born 1903 and Alec Edwin, born 1909. Thirza Sibson married Harold Beesley on August 8th, 1928 and they had one daughter, Barbara Mary born on the 5th of June in 1942. Barbara Sibson married John Thomas Biddle on the 5th of November in 1974 (no children). Alec Edwin Sibson married Dorothy Mills on the 3rd of August in 1935 (no children). Florence Elizabeth died in 1949.

Edith Harriet: Born on the 3rd of October in 1877, and married Charles [George] Bentham on the 4th of October, 1900, at St Andrews in Aylestone. Between 1937 and 1945, they lived at 719 Aylestone Road. According to Clarice, they had two children - a boy and a girl (Harold Robert, and Ena Alexander ???).

Beatrice: Born on the 22nd of march in 1879 and baptised 15-3-1891??? She was still unmarried in 1909, and died as such on the 15th of January, 1916, while living at 349 Tudor Road. She is buried in a common grave (Con ï¿½Oï¿½ 1689) with other members of the family (see also Annie Blissett Airey - mother) at Welford Road Cemetery.

Harry Simpson: Born Dec. Qtr, 1880 in Blaby, and died on the 31st of June in 1908 (or 27-1-1908 ???) at the age of 27 while residing at 55 Milligan Road.

Albert Edward Victor: Born Dec. Qtr, 1882 in Blaby. Married Helen Caroline Mary Shipman on the 10th of April in 1909 at St James, Aylestone Park. They also lived at 55 Milligan Road at the time of their marriage. Their first child was Beatrice Barbara, baptised 1-5-1910, and the family resided at 117 Cavendish Road; Albert was a rubber tyre maker [or rubberhand] at this time. They moved to 34 Filbert Street in 1911, and then to 10 Harold Street in 1912, where their second child, Edward Stanley - baptised 14-8-1912, was born. both childrenï¿½s baptisms were at St Andrews, Aylestone. In 1925, the family resided at a shop at 32 Milligan Road. Edward Stanleyï¿½s son ? married Hilda, and presently lives at 185 Groby Road, Leicester. Additional information from the ï¿½Leicestershire Commercial and General Directory,ï¿½ says that Albert Edward was a Shopkeeper in 1925.

Annie Ellen: Born Sept. Qtr, 1885, and died Mar. Qtr, 1888 age around two and a half years.

GEORGE ALFRED AIREY:

George Alfred Airey (Granfather) was the eldest son of George and Annie Blissett, born on the 5th of November in 1870 at 82 Welford Road. He lived with his family at various addresses (see George and Annie Airey) until his marriage to Ada Jane Steeples on the 21st of December in 1895 at Aylestone Park Primitive Methodist Chapel, Cavendish Road. Ada Jane, born 12-5-1871, was descended from a long line of ï¿½Freemen of Leicester,ï¿½ over nine generations, starting with William Steeples, ï¿½made free,ï¿½ in 1608.

According to the ï¿½Leicestershire Commercial and General Directory,ï¿½ George Alfred was a Foreman (probably W & A Bates [or Dunlops], St Maryï¿½s Mills) between 1904 and 1909 while living at 27 Chestnut Street; an Assistant Manager (same firm) during 1909-1911 while living at 31 Briton Street; and, a Manager (same firm) between 1912 and his death in 1941. During the latter period, the familyï¿½s address was 130 Narborough Road. Prior to about 1904 the family lived at ?? Grace Road, where the first three children were born.

George Alfred and Ada Jane were - according to Clarice - members of the Choir at Aylestone Park Methodist Chapel. Their children were: Clarice Annie Laurie (1896); Alfred James (1899); George Reginald (1902); Laurence Arthur (1905); and, Kathleen Ethel Beatrice Lillian (1908). Ada Jane died on the 31st of October in 1931; George Alfred, on the 25th of March in 1941. They are buried in a common grave at Welford Road Cemetery along with their son George Reginald (1902-1978). The grave has a headstone with an inscription for George Alfred and Ada Jane only (as of 1997). The location of the grave is adjacent to - and very close by - the railway line. It is next to a footpath and beneath a large tree.

George Alfred and Ada Janeï¿½s Children:

Clarice Annie Laurie: Born in 1896 at ?? Grace Road, Aylestone Park in Leicester and died in a Nursing Home at or near Wells ca. 1985. Clarice married Leslie Clerk and had one child, Yvonne. She married ? Catley-Day and had Elizabeth, Tim, and Robert. Yvonne moved from near Wells to open a restaurant in Plymouth in 1984. She died ?

Alfred James (Tim): Born on the 23rd of October,1900 at ?? Grace Road, Aylestone Park in Leicester and died in Birmingham ca 1947. He married Ena before moving to Birmingham and they had two sons, Michel and Peter. Alfred was badly gassed during service in W.W.1. He served with the 10th Hussars and 16th Lancers.

George Reginald (1902-1978) - see details below.

Laurence Arthur (Pip): Born on the 2nd of May, 1905 at 27 Chestnut Street in Leicester and died on the 2nd of September in 1979. He married Constance (Connie) Mary Hairby (born 13-6-1911; died 16-3-1982) in ?, and they had three children: 1. Dianne, born 29-3-34, married to Mr.? Chell. They had Nicholas, born 29-5-1958 and Virginia [Yapp], born. 6-7-1960; 2. Paul, born 26-4-1940; 3. Veronica, born 1-9-1946.

Katherine Ethel Beatrice Lillian: Born on the 30th of December, 1908 at 27 Chestnut Street in Leicester and died at 16 Duncan Road on the 22nd of February in 1994. She married Joseph Edward Swinfield (born 16-1-1905; died 14-10-1990) in ?, and they had two children: 1. Derek, born 31-1-1928 he married Janet, and they had ?; 2. Pat, born 22-11-1930 and she married Mr. ? Kirby in ?, and they had Helen [Boyle] born 19-1-58 and Matthew James, born. 7-11-61.

GEORGE REGINALD AIREY:

George Reginald Airey (my Father) was the middle son of George Alfred an Ada Jane, born on the 27th of January, 1902 at ?? Grace Road, Aylestone Park in Leicester. He died at a house on the Upperton Road in Leicester on the 28th of May, 1978. His 2nd ï¿½marriageï¿½ was to Stella Beatrice Walters (born Station Hospital, Command 1st Battalion, The Scots Guards, Allahabad, India, October 8, 1911) although no record of the marriage can be found. Stella was also previously married to Ian ? and they had Judy (born 8-5-1934). George and Stella had Angela Elaine (born 22-8-1938), Timothy Baron (born 16-11-1944), and Sally Amanda (born 19-5-1954).

George Reginald and Stellaï¿½s Children:

Judy Tansley: Born on the 8th of May in 1934 (presumably in Leicester) to Stella by her first husband Ian. Judy married an Irishman (from Mallow, Co. Cork, Eire) John (Jack) Oï¿½Donoghue in Leicester and had the reception at the Great Central Hotel. Judy and Jack lived for many years in Ballyclough, near Mallow, and had five children. Judy died early January in 1989 of cancer (Myloma).

Angela Elaine:

Rev 0 - March 26th, 1998

(TO BE CONTINUED)