Wigan Album

Built 'em tough in Aspull . Hope he eventually got some retirement

In every way as dignified and more, as his lords and masters, who he served so faithfully all those back breaking years.

Why are only the rich and famous remembered in the new years honours lists,and not the great people that made Britain really great?

Very true, Fred Cunliffe.
What a wonderful photo. Could this be the William Crook, Aspull 1911 Census....born 1832 Blackrod. Prior to the 1840' females and children mine act. Owd Hero is right, what a working man and witness he must have been.

Take your point completely Fred - this year a Doctor delivers baby and is honoured in the lists - Why? Surely if anyone deserves a New Day's Honour it should be midwifes who do this on a regular basis with no fuss and certainly with no honours bestowed - oh, forgot to mention it was a Royal baby the Doctor "delivered" - no more need be said - who said we live in an egalitarian society?

Given his age, it's entirely feasible that he started down the mines by the age of 8 - that would be 1840, just before the Government, who must have been seriously worried by the state of affairs regarding child labour in the mines, set up a Children's Employment Commission in 1841 and gathered, amongst other things, statements from children working down the pit. It confirmed the dreadful and often cruel exploitation of children, some as I say as young as 8. Completely beyond our comprehension today but no doubt existing in various pockets of the world today where child labour is used - sadly human nature doesn't change much.

Fert, I was also wondering if this William Crook (son of Lot Crook and Betty Higson) is the one on my family tree. Are you researching this line?

Hello Margaret. I am not related to the gent, he was so appealing that I did go after him. For yourself, definitely you are on the right track - the gent in the image is that son of Lot Crook and Betty Higson!

I had a look too - it seems Lot was a boatman so if this William was his son he chose a very different sort of hard life.
There is another Willam Crook born in Blackrod 1830 who you can follow through the censuses.
His dad was also William,a collier born 1803 in 'Warthington' (Worthington). In 1841 they lived at Buckley House End and 1851 at Pagefield.
Our William (age 21) got married that year to Frances Jump at All Saint's Hindley (you can see it online, Lancs BMD,)and you can see William and Frances, 1861 census at Bell Green Lane and 1871 at Longshoot. In 1881 and 1891 he lived at Whelley with a different wife, Ellen. Lancs BMD shows that they married in 1877 and that she was previously called Ellen Jump so maybe Fanny's sister. Forgot to look at 1901 but 1911 he's with wife number 3, Elizabeth Margaret at 5 Bolton Road Aspull. Seems that they married in 1898. Good lad Bill.

I am related ( by marriage ) to this wonderful looking hard worker, through his eldest son Lot Crook 1852-1903, who married my Great Grandmother`s sister Mary Jane STOUT in Newcastle, NSW Australia. If anyone is interested in this family, please contact me.