James William Magnall was born on the 28 October 1867. His birth is registered in Burnley (RoB Burnley 1867 Q4 Vol.8e p.176) but the 1871 Census says that he was born in the Parish of Tottington. However, he was christened at Holy Trinity Church in Habergham Eaves on the 1 December 1867. He was the son of William (GM076) and Mary Anne (GM018) and they were recorded in the register as living at Lane Ends, William working as a collier.
The 1871 Census tells us that when he was 3 years old he was living with his parents at Stoops Lane in Burnley.
It can get rather confusing at this time because there were two William Magnalls living in Stoops Lane. They were:-
GM076 who was a coal miner, aged 30, who was married to Mary Anne (GM018) and had a son James William;
GM054 who was also a miner, aged 34 and married to France (GM055) with their children James W. (FM065) aged 11 months, Edward (FM064) aged 3 and John T. (FM063) aged 5.
There was also a Thomas Mangnell (JM044) aged 72 and his wife Mary (HM056) nee Isherwood (related perhaps to Rachel – HM060) aged 68 with their unmarried son Eli (GM008) age 23 who was also a coal miner.
The 1881 census shows that James was now living with his parents at 6 Marles Street in Burnley. Although his father was a miner, James was a weaver.
The 1891 Census shows that James was 23 years old, a cotton weaver, living with his parents and three younger siblings at 26 Cobden Street in Burnley.
James married Annie Pounder (FM239) on 18 March 1893 at St Andrew’s Church in Burnley. Annie was born about 1873 in Burnley, Yorks. James was recorded as working as a weaver living at 26 Cobden Street; his father was working as a collier.
James and Annie had the following children:
- Ernest (EM202), born in Burnley on 19th December 1895;
- William (DM046), born on the 18 January 1901 who later emigrated to Canada.
At the time of the 1901 Census James and Annie had separated. James was living at 19 Cobden Street in Burnley with his mother, his youngest brother Mark, his son Ernest and some boarders. Annie and newly born William (6 months) were recorded as visitors at 34 Anne Street, the home of James and Elizabeth Bradley.
The 1911 Census records that James, Ernest and Willie were living at 97 Waterbarn Street in Burnley. James was now 43 and was recorded as still being married. He was working as a weaver.
James remarried in 1921 to Martha Tattershall (EM177) (b.13 August 1884 in Burnley) in Burnley by which time he was living at 21 Cobden Street. Martha’s first husband had been killed in the Great War. James and Martha had a son:
- Alan Magnall (1922-2016)
At the time of the 1939 register, James was living at 21 Cobden Street with Martha and presumably Alan, their son. They were living next door to James’ brother, Thomas and his wife Anne.
James’ ex-wife Annie died in Earby on the 4 March 1947.
James William died on 18 December 1956 in Burnley aged 89 (RoD Burnley 1956 Q4 Vol.10b p.747). He was buried in Burnley Cemetery on 21 December 1956 (Grave number NE8001). He had been living at 86 Waterbarn Street.
Martha died on 6 May 1959 aged 73 and she was buried in Burnley Cemetery on 9 May 1959. She had been living at Melville Street.
Thanks to Diane James for contributing some of the above information.
[Last updated 29 Dec 2023]