Join us for full benefits and know that ‘You’ll never search alone’ with your Liverpool and South West Lancashire Family History Society.

Death of Philip Trainer 1870s

By Gwebb1 |
General Genealogy

Hi everyone

I need another pair of eyes again!

The 1861 census has Philip Trainer (Srainer) living in John Street with his wife (Susan/Susanah) and 7 of their children.  Philip is described as a dock labourer and born in Ireland in 1818.

The 1871 census shows Susannah Trainor (Faines) living in the cellar of 48 Essex Street with 3 of her children - she is described as  married, the Head of the household and a labourer's wife but there is no sign of Philip.  I did find an entry for a Philip Traiver, living as a lodger in 4 Court, Brindley Street.  Although d.o.b fits and the entry says Philip was Irish, he is described as a widower.  Then I found a death in August 1871 for a Philip Traynor of  4 Court Brindley Street,  who had died as a result of a dock accident - there is a newspaper report about it in the Liverpool Mercury.  I had assumed this might be Susannah's husband as she was a widow  (still living in 48 Essex Street) at the time of the 1881 census and I thought they may have separated for some reason in 1871.

However, the Electoral Registers show a Philip Trainer was living in the cellar in Essex Street in 1871 and 1873.   There is a son Philip but he was born 1851 so I am guessing he would be too young to be on the Electoral Register in the early 1870s - he did marry from 48 Essex Street in 1877.  From 1874 to 1881/2 Peter Trainor is the name for the cellar at 48 Essex Street - he was Philip's son born 1845 so this would make sense and he also appears there on the 1881 census. 

So now I am wondering if I do have the correct death details for Philip Snr  - newspaper article doesn't mention a wife and death certificate shows the coroner reported the death and Southern Hospital given as the address. Not sure how to tackle this conundrum - all ideas gratefully received.

Not sure if this is relevant or not but the Electoral Registers also show there is a Philip Trainer living in 20 court Burlington Street from 1874-76.  Various spellings of the name don't help either!

Many thanks

Glen

 

Hi Glen, sorry don't want you to think we are ignoring your post, just that despite looking around, and like yourself checking other spellings of the name, I have come up with no other suggestions.  The Electoral Register in 1871 would probably have been prepared before the death in 1871 that was found, but maybe the one in 1873 was notified by somebody else, I can't explain that, sorry.

I would never feel ignored, Mary - I'm always just grateful for any insights people can offer me.

I did wonder if the 1871 Electoral Register had been prepared before Philip left the family home and before he died but couldn't explain the 1872 or 1873 entries.  He did have a son called Philip who was born in 1851 - would he have been old enough for inclusion in the 1872 Electoral Register?

According to the marriage certificate, Philip Snr had died by the time of his son's marriage in 1877 and having looked at the GRO entries, there really doesn't seem any record that fits the bill apart from the 1871 death.  Isn't the inclusion of ages on the GRO useful - whatever did we do without them?!

Guess I might have another puzzle that will remain unsolved though.  If people like you and other stalwarts of the Forum cannot see anything relevant, I guess I must have done quite a good job with my own research!

Glen

He did have a son called Philip who was born in 1851 - would he have been old enough for inclusion in the 1872 Electoral Register?

Well definitely he would have been 21 so considered an adult, especially if he may have taken over a business.  Can't be more definite than that.