Introduction

Wigan is a town situated in South Lancashire, England. In the 19th century it grew rapidly, thanks to its extensive coal deposits. Most of my ancestors, like those of most Wigan people, moved  into the town during this expansion, to find work in the mines, iron foundries and cotton mills. 

Thomas Malley[1]

On 28th Oct., 1791, Thomas Malley married Catherine Hayes at St Oswald's C of E Church, Winwick. It seems very probable that they are the parents of Thomas[2] - see below.

Thomas Malley[2]

On the 3rd June, 1816, TM2  of Ashton in Makerfield married Mary Harrison at St Oswald's, Winwick. [St Oswald's was the church where Ashton in Makerfield marriages took place. Even Roman Catholics would often marry there, in order to make their marriages legal].

TM2 seems certain to be the Thomas Malley in the 1841 Census, aged 47, married to Mary, born in Ashton in Makerfield, occupation carter. The couple are recorded as living at 147 Grayson's Yard, Wigan, presumably having moved to rapidly growing Wigan because of the work opportunities it offered. They have 6 children: Eizabeth 25, Francis 17 (factory worker), James 15, Catherine 10, John 8, and Mary 4.

By the 1851 Census the family are still living in Grayson's Yard, except for Elizabeth. Eldest son Francis [FM1] is described as a widower, occupation "forgeman". Francis' father [TM2] and Francis' younger siblings, James and Catherine, are recorded as "sandgrinders", which probably means that they worked in a foundry grinding up sand for use in moulds or for channeling molten iron.

Francis Malley[1]

By 1861 Francis*, now 37, is remarried - to Rebecca Pickering, 30, of Whelley, at St Mary's RC Church, Standishgate, Wigan, on the 9th Nov., 1852. Rebecca already had a child (Edward, aged 1 or 2) at the time of this marriage. They are   living at 58 Bryn Mill Fields with  Francis' mother Mary (now 70), and their children Edward 10, William 7, Mary Ellen 5, Thomas 3 [TM3], and Elizabeth (9 months). Francis is still working as an ironforgeman.

In the 1871 Census the family are living at 140 Warrington Rd and there are two more children, John 8 and Frances (a girl) 1.

*Francis' first wife was Mary Walsh, whom he married at St Mary's in 1845.