Wigan Album

how sad they look socute

What a sad photo & the tale that goes with it. Does anyone know anymore ?

Beautiful Children, the boy such an unusual name a great clue.
Arlene, this photo may belong in Utah USA.
Father Joseph Arrowsmith born in Utah 1868. States that his father was born in England. (The grandfather perhaps a Wigan mormon emigrant to Utah?)
The children were Geneva (girl) Sylvan Niles (boy) they are on the US records. Geneva is a great clue, matching her with the unusual Sylvan. It would appear, according to answers on the census' that the children had a heritage of English, German, and Danish bloodlines.
Strange thing here - upon checking to see if that little boy with the so unusual name had been born in England, what turned up was that it is obvious that somewhere in Evesham Worcestershire there are Arrowsmiths who also use that name for a boy (within the last 25 years, well preserved continuation too). That first name Sylvan used by an Arrowsmith has meaning and tradition for Arrowsmith in Utah and Evesham Worcestershire England.
Utah? - just an idea - the children's English Grandfather may have been a Wiganer Latter Day Saints emigrant to Ut
So Arlene, perhaps you are American, with Arrowsmith roots in the Wigan and district area. Vernal Utah is where little Geneva and Sylvan were, and as mentioned perhaps also a connection to old Lancashire in present day Evesham Worcestershire. Some of the tribe left Lancashire and set roots down elsewhere?

Bit more success Arlene: The Grandfather of those children was
Josiah Thomas Arrowsmith b.1829 St Helens Lancs England
d. 1902 Provo Utah USA

And a bit more:- Definitely LDS members. Utah.
It was the little girl Geneva who was killed in 1924. The little boy only died in 2000. It appears that on the Lancashire side of their heritage the places Sutton, St Helens, Windle, Prescott were Arrowsmith connections, also
the first wife of the English Grandfather (Josiah) was born at West Leigh. English Gramps was a farm labourer, and the family took up farming in Utah also.
Perhaps everything of the above will give you a handle as to why that photograph was found in your Grandfather's box of photographs.
There is still the interesting fact for you that the name Sylvan is also carried to this day by Arrowsmiths in Evesham Worcestershire England. I hope all the above is useful, especially if you are doing your family history.

Hang loose a bit Arlene - I think I may have found someone who has knowledge of the Living Arrowsmith (USA) who is the child of Sylvan Arrowsmith and his wife - formerly Depain nee Swett. You just would'nt believe who those kids share their gene pool with, my jaw dropped. Charles Lindbergh, Greta Garbo (Gustafson) and Edward Grieg, Lucille Ball, Mrs George Bush and John Steinbeck, amongst others.
Eeeeh, they are fair talking those kiddies are'nt they!

Wow ! Fert what have you come up with.... great stuff. Do you want a job tracing my Gt Gt Grandfather John Bradshaw who was only born in 1828/30 & I can't find a trace of him anywhwere !!

Fert,
They have to be family, because I have the Adams' and the Bush's, Lucy Ball, Jane Austen, William Shakespeare and Charles Lindbergh in my family tree. All he other photos in this box had come from the Wigan area. Most of them said Turner Photography on them. I naturally assumed that this one came from the same area. I feel so sheepish, because I am living in Utah and am heading to Vernal on Sat. Perhaps I should send you looking for my Great Grandfather who was living in Wigan and just disappeared..... chances are you would be able to find him. You have been a great help..... I'll let you know what I find out from this end.
Many Thanks to you all,
Best Wishes,
Arlene

I have a friend with the name 'Arrowsmith'. He was born and raised in Orrell, but now keeps a pub in St,Helens called 'The Turk's Head'.
He once said he was related, somewhere down the line, to Saint Edmund Arrowsmith, who was born on a farm in Haydock.

Aww Arlene, have just read your thread on the WWC people section - well, there you go, take it away Arlene - you go girl! Look deeply in to the lady your Granf married when he went to Vernal. Good Luck in your quest Arlene.
PS Helen - whaddya mean? gerrin there and work backwards to him - go get your crittur.
Int the internet marvellous when used for something really good. Bless little Geneva and Sylvan, beautiful children.

I wonder what Sylvan Arrowsmith would have thought if he had known you could find out all about him if you typed his name into Google in the year 2009......amazing.

Well just a bit more effort went in to it other typing someone's name in to Google, which I did not do. All that did'nt come on a plate.

Fert, I did not for one minute mean you got all that information from Google. I meant that I myself had typed Sylvan's name in & got his wife's obit. Anyone can see & read that you have done some great detective work, what a story. Thanks for all your research. I still say Sylvan would have been surprised & amazed his pic was on Wigan World, don't you ?

Thats my brotjer Daryl you are talking about at the Turks Head!! I wonder if i'm related in anyway to this family? We were born in Orrell but my grandparents (Arrowsmith side)were from Golborne. I dont know any further back than this.
Nicola

The little boy in the photo is Sylvan Niles Arrowsmith, who passed away on 9/15/2000. He married Mary Sweet Despain on 5/12/1952. He only had one biological child, Opal Arrowsmith who currently resides in Idaho. I was quite surprised to see this photo, my mother (Opal) has a copy of it in her living room. Here is a poor copy of his obituary http://www.namesinstone.com/ViewMap.aspx?deceasedId=482607

very very interesting

Geneva and Sylvan are my husband, Robin 3rd Cousins 2x Removed.Robin Fountain (my Husband) Great Grandmother was Selina Arrowsmith B1846 in Weston Heath, Staffs. Married Joseph Thomas Fountain.What a find. Thank you.

Sharon Fountain (nee Starkey)

Josiah Arrowsmith is my 3rd cousin three times removed from the arrowsmiths of prescot St Helens . His life is very interesting , as he left for the states and settled in Utah . .