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ETCHES - SHeffield Flood 1864

ETCHES - SHeffield Flood 1864

Posted: 4 May 2002 4:06PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 4 May 2002 4:37PM GMT
Hi

I am researching the Sheffield Flood (12th March 1864) and am trying to locate the graves of as many of the victims as possible, with a view to then further researching their family line.

One of these poor victims was a 70 year old widow who kept a school, called Mrs ETCHES (possibly spelt ETCHELL or ETCHING). Sadly her body was never found.

Do you, by any chance, think she may be related to your family line? If so, could you supply any further info?

Look forward to hearing from you and thanks in anticipation of your reply.

Best Regards
Karen Lightowler
Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England

Re: ETCHES - SHeffield Flood 1864

Posted: 1 Dec 2002 8:13AM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 28 Dec 2005 10:00AM GMT
Surnames: ETCHES ETCHELLS
Hi,
my great great grandfather was a ETCHES. He came from Bathley in Nottingham. There are a lot of Etches from Derby/Notts. There is also another branch that im sure went to Doncaster area.

I was emailing a man on the Doncaster line last year. He may be able to help.
There is also another lady doing a one name study on ETCHEs ETCHELLS.
If you would like there names and email please contact me by email.

Regards
Frances

Re: ETCHES - Sheffield Flood 1864

Posted: 2 Dec 2002 8:45PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 30 Jun 2005 5:24PM GMT
Hi Frances

Great to hear from you and many thanks for your message.

From further research I have carried out, I now think the lady who died in the flood (12th March 1864) was ANN ETCHELLS (not Etches as previously recorded in all accounts of the flood).

Sadly I have little other information at present but I would love to hear from you (or anyone!) who may be able to help.

Thanks again
Karen Lightowler

Re: ETCHES - Sheffield Flood 1864

Veronica Etchells (View posts)
Posted: 21 Sep 2004 1:02PM GMT
Classification: Census
Surnames: Etches Etchells
Etches and Etchells keep appearing as miss-spellings. My husband's family are in the 1881 Census as Etches in Salford Lancs. but are Etchells in all other refs. I have no refs to Sheffield but go back to Salford 1851' also Stockport. I would welcome any correspondence from interested family connections.

Re: ETCHES - Sheffield Flood 1864

Posted: 22 Sep 2004 4:49PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 30 Jun 2005 5:24PM GMT
Hi Veronica

As far as the Sheffield Flood is concerned, I can tell you that this lady's name was reported as Etches, Etching and Etchell.
According to the account written at the time by Samuel Harrison, he tells us:
"On the left hand side of the river, facing downwards, stood a row of twelve cottages and two shops, the whole of which were washed away so completely that no one would have imagined the site had ever been occupied by human dwellings. Among the families drowned here were Joseph Crapper, shoemaker, his wife, and a child, Mrs. Etchell, a widow, who kept a school; Joseph Goddard, his wife, and two or three children; William Sellars and wife; Henry Jevisson, his wife, and son; George Barrett, shoemaker, his wife, child, and a lodger named Ann Pearson".

I have found her in the 1861 census living at Malin Bridge at enumerator's reference RG9/3459 11F (Ann Etchells)

A search of the compensation claims lodged after the flood shows a claim for damage to property which included '4 houses occupied by Joseph Crapper, Ann Mount, Charlotte Taylor, Ann Etchells, Price, Armitage, Sellars, Simpson and Bradshaw.'

I have also found claim number 5390 that was placed by Francis Gooderick Tester, a messenger at the Army and Navy club aged 17 years of 24 Grafton Street Soho, and Charlotte Elizabeth Tester, laundress of London, in their capacity as 'only surviving nephew and niece and next of kin of Ann Etchells, late of Malin Bridge'. Their claim was for £37-2-0 for damage to personal property {again if you want full details let me know}. The claim was 'assessed by agreement including costs' at £35-0-0 and settled on 14th July 1865.

A search of the National Burial Index found only one match for Ann Etchells in 1864 but she was buried at Ecclesall All Saints on 24th December 1864 at the age of 66. This burial was obviously too late in the year to be that of Ann who drowned in the flood so I was beginning to think her body was amongst those never found but I have since discovered that a body was found at Doncaster and buried in Hyde Park Cemetery, without having been identified. I now believe that Ann Etchells is one of two possible candidates for this unidentified body.

Accounts in the newspapers 'The Doncaster, Nottingham & Lincoln Gazette Supplement' and the 'Doncaster Chronicle' both dated Friday March 18th 1864 reported the finding of a body in Crimpsall about 11 o' clock on Saturday morning. It was apparently that of a middle-aged woman who had rings on her fingers, and earrings, but no clothing other than her nightdress. She was immediately removed to the New River Tavern, to await an inquest. {Once again let me know if you want full details from the paper}.

I have also been in touch with a lady who is researching the names Etchells and Etches but who has not yet made a connection between Ann and her ancestors. She tells me that she believes Ann was the widow of Benjamin Etchells who died at Waterloo Gardens in Sheffield North on 29th January 1855 at the age of 62. The informant on his death certificate was an Eliza (Elizabeth?) Walker of the same address although her relationship to Benjamin was not stated but it seems strange the informant was not Ann, his wife.

She found two death records for Benjamin Etchells in Sheffield and, by purchasing both death certificates, she believes that Ann's husband was born in Hadfield and was shown as 'soldier and pensioner 2nd foot guards'.

Hope this is of interest - would love to hear from you if you think this lady may appear in your tree!

Best Regards
Karen Lightowler

Re: ETCHES - Sheffield Flood 1864

Veronica Etchells (View posts)
Posted: 23 Sep 2004 8:49AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Etches Etchells
Dear Karen Thankyou for your swift reply to my message. I am always happy to hear from anyone who may be connected to this 'clan' that I married into. Over 35 years I have had many versions of the name addressed to my family, some from schoolboys to my sons not printable, but the 1881 ETCHES is the only one recorded officially, that I have found.
Sadly it would appear your Yorkshire branch has no traceable connection to the Etchells that I can trace from a Robert married in 1851 in Salford to the present day. Never mind, perhaps someone else will be prompted to find a link.I have printed out your reply and will file it for the future in case.
Good luck with your work and congrats on the detailed press coverage you have found. I wish I lived nearer to the sources but can no longer travel the hundred plus miles to Manchester, Salford and Stockport to look first hand. Thank goodness for the internet. Kind regards Veronica Etchells

Re: ETCHES - Sheffield Flood 1864

Posted: 23 Sep 2004 4:42PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 30 Jun 2005 5:24PM GMT
Dear Veronica

Thank for your reply and sorry there doesn't appear to be a connection.

I too have kept your details so I will let you know if anything ever crops up.

Good hunting!
Karen
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