James Thomas was born on 20th June 1876 (RoB Burnley 1876 Q3 Vol.8e p.211) to James Magnall (GM021/149) and Alice Greenwood (GM022). He was christened on the 23rd July 1876 in Habergham Eaves (VRI). The 1881 Census shows that James was only 4 years old. In the 1891 Census he is a weaver aged 14.

On the 11 September 1900 James was a witness for his oldest brother Joseph’s wedding to Eliza Jane Wilkinson at St Matthew’s Church in Habergham Eaves.

James married Polly Sharp (EM225) on the 11th June 1901. Details of the marriage certificate are shown below:

1901 Marriage solemnized at St Matthews Church in the Parish of St Matthews in the Counties of Burnley and Lancaster
No. When married Name and surname Age Condition Rank or Profession Residence at the Time of Marriage Father’s Name and Surname Rank or Profession
of Father
287 June 11
1901		 James Thomas
Magnall

Polly Sharp

 2423 Bachelor

Spinster

 Shopkeeper

Weaver

 147 Cog Lane

16 Warwick St.

 James Magnall

Henry Sharp

 —–

Blacksmith
Married in the above Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England after Banns by me,
S Edmond Clarke
This Marriage was
solemnized between us		 James Thomas Magnall

Polly Sharp

 in the presence of us Harry Wadsworth

Elizabeth Alice Sharp

James and Polly had at least two children:-

  • Albert Horace (DM012) b.22 Jun 1902 (RoB Burnley 1902 Q3 Vol.8e p.211). Albert married Agnes Hall and is the father of Dorothy Yvonne Magnall who has helped supply much of the information on her branch of the family;
  • Ronald (DM020) b.13th Jan 1907 (RoB Burnley 1907 Q1 Vol.8e p.218).

James died on the 19th June 1944 aged 67 (RoD Burnley 1944 Q2 Vol.8e p.211 age 67).

Polly and James Thomas Magnall (photo supplied by Dorothy Magnall)

[Last updated 19 Dec 2011]