Nancy was born on 13 June 1840, at Withings near Hawkshaw in Lancashire to Thomas (HM059) and Rachel (HM060). Below are the details of a certified copy of the birth certificate:
| Registration District Bury |
| 1840 Birth in the Sub-District of Holcombe in the County of Lancaster |
| No. | When and where born |
Name, if any | Sex | Name and Surname of Father |
Name, surname and maiden Surname of Mother |
Occupation of Father |
Signature, Description and Residence of Informant |
When registered |
Signature of registrar |
Name entered after Registration |
| 93 | Thirteenth of June 1840 at Withings |
Nancy | Girl | Thomas Magnall | Rachel Magnall formerly Isherwood |
Weaver | The mark X of Rachel Magnall Mother Withings |
Twenty Sixth of June 1840 |
Thomas Wolstenholme Deputy Registrar |
The 1841 Census tells us that she was then 7 months old and living with her parents, William (GM076) her older brother and Ann (GM077) her older sister at Withings.
In the 1851 Census, she is recorded as being 10 years old and living with her family at Boardmans in Hawkshaw, Lancashire.
Nancy married James Bridge at St Peter’s Church, Bolton-Le-Moors on 3 October 1859. At the time both were living in Quarlton, James’ father was Richard Bridge, a labourer.
Nancy and James had the following children:
- Richard (1860- 1861) )
- Rachel (1863- )
- Thomas (1865- )
- John James (1867- )
- Betty (1868-1943)
- Richard (1871- )
- William (1873- )
- Ralph (1875- )
- Sarah Jane (28 April 1877-Mar 1880, buried 29 Mar 1880)
- Joseph (1879- )
- stillborn child (buried 28 Jun 1881)
By the 1861 Census Nancy, James and Richard were living at 11 Craven in Burnley as boarders. James was a coal miner, Richard was only 6 months old and shown as having born in Turton. Richard died in late May or early June and was buried at St Anne’s Church in Turton. The burial register shows that they were living in Burnley.
The 1871 Census shows the family living at 4 Brunshaw Bottom in Burnley a few doors from a John Pilling and his family who may have been related to James’ mother. James was now 35 years old and still working as a coal miner. Their first son, Richard, must have died as they now had a new son called Richard who was only 1 month old.
In the 1881 Census, James was a 45 year old “Miner Coal” and they were living at 10 Brunshaw Road.
James died in March 1884 aged 50 and was buried on 11 March in Burnley Cemetery (plot 2472). Nancy remarried on 3 March 1887 to William Smith, a widower. I am unable to work out what his job was. His father was a John Smith who was a collier.
The 1891 Census records that Nancy and William were living at 10 Brunshaw Place with John, Richard, William, Ralph and Joseph. William was working as a coal miner. He was now 60 years old and Nancy was 52. Nancy’s mother, Rachel, died later that year on 26 December.
Nancy died in April 1897 aged 56 and was buried on 21 April in grave 2472 in Burnley Cemetery with her first husband and two of her children.
[Last updated 22 Dec 2023]