Malcolm Smith's Family History Archive


Biography of

Eleanor  Mary  PARSONS

[Ref. Q.26]


Ancestors Profile Index for PARSONS

 
Eleanor Mary Parsons was
born at 25 Great Homer Street in Liverpool, Lancashire on 29 July 1860. She was baptised into the Roman Catholic faith at St.Anthony's church in Scotland Road, Liverpool on 5 August the same year. She was the eldest of the twelve children of Daniel and Ellen Parsons.

The census of 1861 shows the family still at that address and having two Irish servants, Marianna M Leigh and nurse Mary Hucham. The was a lodger, Marmaduke Bligh, also Irish who was a Machine Attendant.

By the time the census of 1871 was taken, the family had moved to 31 Everton Brow in the Everton district of Liverpool. Eleanor now had siblings Charles, Mary and Daniel. Cousins Jane and Kate Concannon were at the house at that time also Dispensary Student John Wilson. There were domestic servants Catherine King from Ireland and Jane Rowland from Wales plus Nurse Mary Molyneux.

In the census of 1881 Eleanor is registered as a visitor at 27 Stanley Street in North Moels, Southport, a lodging house run by Mary Morris. Eleanor's status is given as an Annuitant.

On 23 Janury 1890, Eleanor married physician James Herbert Finegan. He was a widower who had been born in Ireland and was 23 years older than her. Their son Herbert Marion was born the same year. The census of 1891 records the family as living at 48 Rodney Street in Liverpool with other physicians as neighbours. Nurse Margaret Eastham was being employed to look after the baby and there were two servants, Cook Elizabeth Jackson and Housemaid Alice Hackett.

Daughter Eleanor Mary Victoria was born in 1893, daughter Grace in 1997 and son Maurice Herbert in 1998. In 1901 the family were still at the same address but Eleanor Mary was not present at that time. However siblings Grace and Maurice had augmented the family and there was a Governess called Emma Watson. The household also supported Cook Alice Finnigan and Waitress Mary Finnigan. By 1911 the family had moved to 158 Upper Parliament Steet in Liverpool and daughter Eleanor was present at this time. Emma Watson was still with the family as Lady's Help; the Cook was Margaret Hayes and the Scullery Maid was Mary Rogers.

Eleanor's husband James died in 1913. According to Electoral Registers between 1918 and 1921, Mary was still living at 158 Upper Parliament Street in Liverpool. Her youngest son Maurice was at the same address in 1921 and 1922. Mary survived until 1924 when she passed away on 4 January having suffered heart failure. Her will divided her belongings amongst her children.

 


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