Finn Family, Nelson St

[Bob Dobson]

In the years around 1930 my grandma Dobson appears to have fallen out with her 'husband', Bob Rigby and been forced to give her son James Dobson over to a Mrs Finn on Nelson (?) St to be looked afater because Rigby would not provide for him. Young James was her son by a husband who had been killed in WW1. He later emigrated to Canada but did visit Accrington.

I would like to know more about James and ask what the Finn family know of this story.

[MargaretR]

My cousin Sheila is the daughter of Amy (nee Hocking) and Dennis Finn.
I remember little about 'uncle Denny', except that they lived in Woodnook area and he ran an army surplus store on Nuttall St for a while, then was an instructor at Burnley Tech.

I will mail her in South Wales to ask if she recalls the name - James Dobson.
My aunt Amy did have a tendency to take in 'waifs and strays' and was in the Sally Army at one time.

PS I think the street they lived on was Booth St

[Bob Dobson]

Thanks. However, I forgot to say that Mrs Finn was 'a big Catholic' Nuns used to call at her house. This has just reminded me that when I was a teenager in the 50s, a lad called Bill Finn used to attend Sacred Heart church. He had twin(?) sisters, one of whom married a Bill Halstead, whose address I have.

[MargaretR]

I recall that Uncle Denny was a catholic and that cousin Sheila was brought up as a catholic (as they do), so there may be a family connection.
Do you need me to ask her?

[Bob Dobson]

Yes please M. Thinking about this aspect of my family history has brought my grandma ,a great love of my life, to my thoughts. She had a very hard life and having to give up her child must have caused her heartache.She must have hated the man she had to live with. I cry when I think of her - which reinforces my view that the First World War is still affecting the lives of Accrington people.

[MargaretR]

I have sent the mail and will get back to you here when she replies

[MargaretR]

My cousin's reply -
"My Dad had an uncle Harry Finn, wife Janey, they didn't have any children of their own so maybe Aunty Janey did take James Dobson in. I think they lived on Nelson Street. I don't remember James Dobson but I was only a baby in the late 1930 (borm August 1937) My brother Colin is 4 years older than me so maybe he has more info. He is on face book if you want to contact him (Colin Finn).
"
It looks as though we have a 'maybe' - because it isn't likely that there would be more than one Finn family on Nelson St.
So now that you have the names Harry and Janey Finn, census records might show him with that family.

[Bob Dobson]

A check with my aunt reveals that I have got some facts wrong. James was handed over to 'Grandma Finn' much earlier than I said. Probably just before 1920.Mrs Finn was likely then at least 30yrs old, so she may have been the mother of Colin's parents, Janey & Harry. The name Michael Finn is coming to my aunt's mind, but she doesn't recall just who he was, as she thought that Mrs Finn had no husband.

[MargaretR]

We are getting a little awry with the generations here.
Harry Finn (and wife Janey) of Nelson St are the uncle and aunt of Dennis Finn (father of my cousins Colin and Sheila)
Since Dennis was born early 1900s, his uncle may well be about 20 or 30 yrs older than him -maybe born in 1870s/80s or even 90s.

[MargaretR]

PS Janey may well have been a widow by 1930s - she was a 'mrs' after all

[accypete]

Found some Finn's living on Wellington street (if I remember correctly) on the 1911 census. I ll have another look see what I can find out about them......it may have been another street. I know my family lived in and around that area Napier street, Grane lane,Augusta st.

[accybill]

Trying to confuse you even more ..... there was a James Dobson born in 1920 whose mothers maiden name was Flynn?

[Bob Dobson]

Too early to be mine Bill. My grandma was a Taylor. I don't know why mine was called James, perhaps his grandfather Dobson's name, As he is not in my direct line, I know nowt about him.

[accypete]

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

Too early to be mine Bill. My grandma was a Taylor. I don't know why mine was called James, perhaps his grandfather Dobson's name, As he is not in my direct line, I know nowt about him.

FINN, John Head M 32 1879 Coal Miner Hewer Accrington
FINN, Thrisia Wife F 29 1882 Accrington
FINN, Anne Daughter F 5 1906 Accrington

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Address:
5 Kenyon St Accrington County:
Lancashire

FINN, David Head Married M 31 1880 Coal Miner Getter Lancashire Accrington
FINN, Elizabeth Wife Married
7 years F 31 1880 Weaver Cotton
FINN, Dennis Son M 7 1904
FINN, Thomas Son M 4 1907
FINN, Mary Alice Daughter F 3 1908

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Address:
16 Plantation Square Accrington County:
Lancashire
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SWINDELL, Henry Head Single M 26 1885 Labourer England Accrington
FINN, John Boarder Widower M 54 1857 Plate Moulder Ireland Thurles Resident
FINN, Patrick Boarder Single M 15 1896 Labourer England Accrington
FINN, Dennis Boarder Single M 17 1894 Labourer England Church
FINN, Nellie Boarder F 9 1902 School England Accrington
WESTWELL, Annie Housekeeper Married
7 years F 30 1881 Irelang Merock Resident
WESTWELL, Henry Son M 5 1906 England Accrington
WESTWELL, Albert Edward Son M 3 1908 England Accrington
WESTWELL, Richard Son M 1 1910 England Accrington

Address:
23 Moorgate Bedlam Accrington


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FINN, Michael Head Married M 51 1860 Driller In Iron Foundry Neneagh Cliff Ireland
FINN, Susanah Wife Married
31 years F 51 1860 Manchester Lancashire
FINN, John Edward Son Single M 30 1881 Insurance Agent Life Accrington Lancashire
FINN, Henry Son Single M 24 1887 Grocer Dealer Accrington Lancashire
FINN, Florence Daughter Single F 21 1890 Winder In Cotton Mill Accrington Lancashire
FINN, William Son Single M 13 1898 Warehouse Assistant Cotton Mill Accrington Lancashire
FINN, Mary Ada Daughter Single F 10 1901 At School Accrington Lancashire

Address:
112 Wellington St Accrington County:


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FINN, Mary Alice Head Single F 29 1882 Ramsbottom Lancashire
FINN, Julia Sister Single F 27 1884 Cotton Weaver Ramsbottom Lancashire
FINN, James Brother Single M 25 1886 Textile Foundry Labourer Ramsbottom Lancashire
FINN, Henry Brother Single M 22 1889 Print Works Labourer Accrington Lancashire

Address:
6 Oswald St Accrington County:
Lancashire


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FINN, John Head Married M 20 1891 Labourer Lancs Accrington VIEW
FINN, Nancy Wife Married
1 years F 22 1889 Lancs Burnley VIEW
FINN, Tom Son M 0 (3 MONTHS) 1911 Lancs Accrington VIEW

Address:
44 Moorgate Bedlam Accrington County:
Lancashire


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FINN, John Head Widower M 58 1853 Tailor Nenagh Tipprey
FLETCHER, Mary Intended Wife Widow F 56 1855 House Keeper Bury Lancshire
FLETCHER, Ethel Grandchild F 13 1898 Weavers Tenter Cotton Bury Lancs

RG number:
Address:
67 Steiner Street Accrington Lancashire County:
Lancashire


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ASPIN, Cable Head Married M 31 1880 Coal Miner Hewer Old Kiln Lancs
ASPIN, Bridget Wife Married
4 years F 23 1888 Lan Oswaldtwistle Lancs
ASPIN, William Son Single M 4 1907 Lancs Accrington
ASPIN, May Daughter Single F 2 1909 Lancs Accrington
ASPIN, Betty Ann Daughter Single F 0 (10 MONTHS) 1911 Lancs Accrington
FINN, Maggie Sister In-Law Single F 7 1904 Lancs Accrington

Address:
59 Higher Antley St Accrington County:
Lancashire



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FINN, John Head Married M 20 1891 Labourer Lancs Accrington
FINN, Nancy Wife Married
1 years F 22 1889 Lancs Burnley
FINN, Tom Son M 0 (3 MONTHS) 1911 Lancs Accrington

Address:
44 Moorgate Bedlam Accrington County:
Lancashire

Sorry just read that 1920 was to early for your Finn but as I have already writen this I thought I would leave it for others.

All taken from the 1911 Census findmypast

As far as I am aware these are all the Finns in Accrington at this time

[Bob Dobson]

Thanks so much for putting your time into this.