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Dear Jane
Like others of your recent correspondents I
came across your excellent web site while researching my mother's family.
It is a beautifully prepared and most enjoyable site. It almost sounds
churlish to carp given that it is such an enjoyable site but under the
section entitled Census you comment as though you have transcribed the
1901 and 1841 Census data but the links on the left only take you up and
down the page - did I miss something (I do of course appreciate that there
is an excellent 1901 Census site available)?
My maternal grandfather, Henry Cecil Cross,
was born in Cottingham around 1872/3. In the 1881 Census he is shown as
living with his parents and brothers in Blind Lane although no number is
given. His father was William Cross, described as a "grocer and
coachman" who was born in Harbury, Warwicks. His mother was Amelia
who was born in Husbands Bosworth and was a "laundress". He had
an older brother Edgar and a younger one Edwin.
By 1901 William and Amelia were 73 and 66
and they are listed as living at The Cross. William was described as a
gardener by then but whether he earned a living as such at such an age is
hard to know.
Henry went to Culham College, Oxford to
train as a teacher. Quite how the family could afford this amazes me.
After qualifying he went on to teach in schools in Leicester, marrying
twice - his first wife dying in childbirth and the second being my
grandmother, also a teacher. He eventually became a head teacher. He was
also a talented photographer and won prizes for this hobby. Unfortunately
I hardly knew him as he died suddenly when I was very young.
My research is in its infancy with most of
my current efforts tending towards my father's line but I do intend to
follow the Cross line back at some stage. So if any of your contacts can
add to my history I would be delighted. In the meantime keep up the
excellent work.
When I visit Cottingham your site will have
helped to bring the village to life for me. Thank you.
Tony
Vines
25
September, 2003
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