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What happened to Florence Mary Sutcliffe?

By adesso |
General Genealogy

Florence Mary Sutcliffe (my great grandma) was born in Liverpool in 1885 to William Sutcliffe and Eleanor Murray. She married John Richard Ballard on Christmas Day 1905 in Liverpool having my grandma Eleanor Ballard in 1906 also in Liverpool.

In 1910 the family moved to Wrexham where John Richard worked in a local factory as a French polisher. They are recorded in 1911 on the census in Wrexham area.

He joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and died at the Somme in 1916… winning a military medal for bravery.

I was told that, naturally, Florence Mary had a breakdown after losing her husband and returned the family to Liverpool, accepting his medal in Liverpool on his behalf but I can’t be sure.

I believe she lived to the 1970s and died at Rainhill Hospital (psychiatric hospital). I never met my grandma Eleanor and I wondered if anyone could help me track the family if indeed they did return to Liverpool after John Richard died. I would like to know  more about Eleanor Ballard after 1916 and what happened to her in Liverpool. I attach a photo of Eleanor.

Many thanks

David

Just before I go out, thought I'd post this link to the Liverpool Archives https://liverpool.gov.uk/libraries/archives-family-history/family-histo… use the Contact us button and mark your message for the attention of Roger Hull.  Do this preferably today or tomorrow as he works on a Wednesday.

You should provide proof of her death date and where and ask whether the Rainhill records are available in the Archives.  If they are you should get details of perhaps a family member who arranged her entry into the hospital and any other details.

Eleanor's birth bate was 6th November, (Baptism)

 

Name: Eleanor Ballard
Registration Date: Oct 1935
[Nov 1935] 
[Dec 1935] 
Registration Quarter: Oct-Nov-Dec
Registration District: Wharfedale
Inferred County: Yorkshire West Riding
Spouse: John Goodenough

 

Name: Eleanor Goodenough
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: 6 Nov 1906
Residence Date: 1939
Address: The Grove the Cottage
Residence Place: Ilkley, Yorkshire (West Riding), England
Occupation: Unpaid Domestic Duties
Line Number: 34
Schedule Number: 258
Sub Schedule Number: 2
Enumeration District: Knkp
Borough: Ilkley
Registration district: 491/3
Inferred Spouse: John Goodenough

Thanks Bert

I have that info on her … it’s the part of her life from 1916 onwards until she met my grandad that I’m curious about.. her life in Yorkshire and her death I’m familiar with. It’s what happened to her after her father’s death and whether she returned to Liverpool with her mother.

regards

David

Thanks

I attach something sent to me about John Richard Ballard from theLiverpool Evening Express dated 24th Nov 1916. It says he was nephew to a Captain JR Ballard of the old 42nd Black Watch. Who was that Captain JR Ballard? I don’t recognise him.

regards,

David

pic is my great grandad and Florence Mary’s husband John Richard Ballard. Gives a Liverpool address in article… I wonder if that’s where Florence Mary returned to from Wales???

 

It’s what happened to her after her father’s death and whether she returned to Liverpool with her mother.

You should look at the 1921 census on FMP, it will cost a small amount. 

I can only fiddle with it, there is one hit in West Derby, note spelling,

Eleonor Ballard, bn 1906.

I have been told by Roger Hull that Florence Mary Sutcliffe first entered Rainhill hospital in 1920 probably as she had a breakdown after her husband was killed on the Somme. She was readmitted on more occasions and may have spent the majority of her life there until she died at the age of 92 in 1977. We were never told about her. 

Regards

David

You should ask what records might be available to you although there might be a charge.  If there were a number of admittances it might be worth while paying.