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Family Subtree Diagram : Mather, Dick

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not see a GRAPHIC IMAGE of a family tree here but are seeing this text instead then it is most probably because the web server is not correctly configured to serve svg pages correctly. see http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/SVG:Server_Configuration for information on how to correctly configure a web server for svg files. ? As well as the known shared DNA matches, Jenny and I also have shared matches to Francis Galey.(from Bolton) and D.A. Keith Birtles and Fay Tucey are shared matches and to each other. Work with: Possibly worked together, as both are Iron Moulders in 1901.
This could be how Richard (Dick) met and later married Lily, John's eldest daughter. Lives with: Alice was born in Belfast while Richard was helping build the Titanic there. Other: Sue’s family were so proud of Aunt Alice being born in Belfast while Grandad helped to build the Titanic but she was always ashamed of being born in Belfast.  We could tell, she always went funny about it as if it made her different from the rest of us, her reaction was to clamp up about it and tight her lips and say about the things her parents were warned not to talk about, namely religion and politics.  Sue has great memories of her Aunt Alice as she was often with the family.  They went on holiday together, she always stayed at the house over Christmas, Easter, etc.  Dad use to call us his Harem, with three women looking after him!
 Lives with: Ruth and Colin and family lived with Alice for a while at Hemmons Road. Lives with: Alice moved in with Nellie and Ken Turner at Grange Ave till Nellie Turner died and then Alice Mather moved in with Winnie Doxey, leaving Ken on his own. Relative of: Alice went to Joe and Ursula Mather's in Austria for hols 30/05/73 just before Sue's Mother and Father went in the July for Hols
Sue has Alice's post card that she sent. Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Adopted Child Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Parent Parent Biological Child Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Parent Parent Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Parent Parent Parent Parent Parent Parent Parent Parent Parent Parent Parent Parent Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Biological Child Marriage (six children) 23-May-1904 (Birkenhead Baptist Church, Laird Street) ■No more children Marriage (a child) 12-Oct-1935 (Manchester) ■No more children Divorce (four children) 25/03/1961 (Manchester) ■No more children Marriage (three children) 3-July-1948 (Manchester) ■No more children Marriage (a child) 6 Dec 1952 (Manchester) ■No more children Marriage (eight children) 4 Apr 1874 (St John, Birkenhead) ■No more children Marriage (three children) Manchester (~1974) ■No more children Marriage (two children) 31-Aug-1974 (Oldham) ■No more children Marriage (two children) 22-Nov-2002 (NSW) ■No more children Marriage ~1975 (Manchester) Separation in fact (two children) Q4 1980 (Stockport) ■No more children Cohabitation Partner Marriage 2006 Divorce (two children) Mar 1995 ■No more children 1875 - 1954 Richard (Dick) Mather 79 79 Was living at 304 Beckwith St, Birkenhead at 1881 Census (age 6)

In 1901, living at 282 & 284 St. Anne St., Birkenhead with parents (aged 26)

23 May 1904, Richard Mather married Lily Mercer at Birkenhead, Baptist Church (Laird Street).  His sister Mary (Polly) married there a few months later.

Moved to Longsight (Levenshulme), Manchester later.  His main claim to fame, was that he helped to build the Titannic in Belfast.

He was in Belfast in 1911 (where Alice was born), so missed the census.

Story by Sue:  When Richard and Lily were living at Hemmons Rd, one year in Granddads retiring years I remember Mum saying about one year Grandad Richard Mather decided to keep Turkeys in a shed at the bottom of the garden with the idea he would fed them up then nearer to the Christmas he got lots of orders from Friends, neighbours, etc and was so pleased as it meant extra money for Christmas but sadly as the world is, some jealous sod one night broke in and rung all their necks, so left Grandad to find them all dead the next day.  It can be such a cruel world, he never did it again. 
1876 - 1960 Lilly (Lil) Mercer 83 83 Living at 121 Knowsley Road in 1891, aged 14
Living at 13 Brill St in 1901, aged 24

Lily and Richard had to go to Belfast (to help build the Titanic).  They packed up from Liverpool, but the sad part was that Lily had to part with quite a few of her wedding presents as they could not afford to take everything with them.  This must have affected her a lot for daughter Winnie always  talked about it.  Alice always said her parents were told never talk about politics and religion while living in Belfast !

Richard and Lily were friends of John Thaw’s (the actors)  parents, which is a little thing the family where quite proud of!

Story by Sue:  I don’t know of any occupations Lily did other than, while having a young family for some extra money for a while she would clean some Ladies front steps.  Do you remember in those days with the Donkey Stone and a brush, it was the thing to do.  While after so long the Lady was going to live somewhere else and said to Grandma that she could choose anything she liked in her house, so I think the lady must have been going into a Nursing Home and Grandma Mum said had always admired the lady’s Tea Set, so she was able to have it and yes to this day it sits in the Victorian Display Cabinet that belonged to my Grandparents Doxey in our dining room.  I think its Derby Pottery.  It’s beautiful - I adore it. 1917 - 2004 Winnifred (Winnie) Mather 86 86 Sue remembers Winnie saying that they all did there school work (the 3 Rs) on slate with chalk to write.

Dick, Winnie and Joe all suffered with the lazy eye.  Winnie had a operation when she was 10yrs old to correct it,  It has reoccurred in other parts of the family, including my dad, Walter.

During the war, Winnie left the laundry company and worked with the Woman’s Land Army during the second World War and was posted to Wolverhampton where amongst other things she drove a tractor.  After the war Winnie was employed as a Nursery Nurse at Crowcroft Park Children's Nursery, Levenshulme (note: Longsight and Levenshulme are next to each other and often confused).  She was employed here till 1952 when she married Laurie.

Winnie and Laurie had joined a over 30's Friendship club before they met each other and went dancing on a Saturday night at the “Pallie” dance Hall in Manchester, which is how they meet.

 1920 - 1990 Joseph (Joe) Mather 69 69 Lil Mercer wrote, serving with forces in 1941

Joe joined up 16 Jan 1941, went to Gresford, North Wales to be trained as a Motor Lorry Driver in the Royal Engineers.

Joe was an Office worker after the war, and an intelligent man, always smartly dressed as Ursula, and always well spoken. Their children were sent to the best schools.

Ursula never settled, so Joe and Ursula moved to live in Germany (or Austria).  Joe had a important secret job with Dornier's company in the aircraft section and that was all he was allowed to tell us.  Sadly they only lived in a flat in Germany as things were so much more expensive there.

Joe was certainly very successful.  He was idolised by his sister Winnie, Sue's mother, because he did so well in life.  Perhaps also, because he was the only surviving boy in the family.

Joe Mather went on Hols to Iris and Ron Brown 's in Zaire when they were living and working there for a while from the 1st June 1985.
 1911 - 1996 Alice Mather 84 84 Alice was born in Belfast while her father Richard was helping to build the “Titanic” ship.  He was a boiler maker so was part of a team building the boilers, then followed where the work was to Manchester docks.

Alice Mather was the keeper of the diary (see Lil Mercer's Birthday Book) and updated till passing it to Susan Robinson in the 1980’s who has also kept it updated.

Sometimes she was like a much older sister to Sue.  Anywhere Sue wanted to go her Aunt Alice would take her if her parents couldn’t.
Sadly Sue always thought life left Alice behind, or Alice let life leave her hehind. She left school as lots did at 14 yrs and worked at the same company, the Co-op laundry on the same street where she lived in Hemmons Road, Levenshulme till retiring.  It got too varied a little too much for her in the 60’s.  They started sending her to different laundry shops branches of the Co-op as a temp to cover for staff on sick, etc.

She was a tomboy when she was a kid always climbing trees with the boys,  When Winnie (her sister) realised she might be left on the shelf she use to drag Alice with her dancing at the Palace’s Theatre, Manchester on a Sat night to find blokes but Alice gave up going and lived a single life!

Ruth and her first Husband Colin Bettoni and children moved in with Alice for a while at Hemmons Road.  After they left Alice moved in with Nellie and Ken Turner at Grange Ave till Nellie Turner died and then Alice Mather moved in with Winnie Doxey, leaving Ken on his own.

She never married, dying at the age of 84 in 1996. 1909 - 1918 George Mercer Mather 8 8 George Mercer Mather (as shown on FreeBMD) was born in Bolton, so family may have moved there around 1908.

He had a fatal accident at School, aged 8. 1907 - 1977 Nellie Mather 69 69 Nellie and Ken Turner went to Belgium on a School Trip 15th April 1973.  Sue has their postcard in her Mother's Archives. 1909 - 1986 Kenneth (Ken) James Turner 76 76 Part time lay preacher.

Taught the famous and sadly deceased actor, John Thaw and his brother English at Manchester..

When Ken and Nellie were living down Clayton Bridge during the War and after a visit by Winnie Mather, Nell's sister, Ken was walking back her to the bus stop when he heard the sound of a plane.  He was quick to realise it was German, on its way back from a bombing mission, and pushed Winnie and himself into the ditch, just in time before the plane started firing on them.  Ken saved both their lives !

Nellie and Ken Turner went to Belgium on a School Trip 15th April 1973.  Sue has their postcard in her Mother's Archives.
 Ruth Hilda Turner Colin Bettoni Peter Stephen Adshead Jacqueline A Bettoni Jeannette A Bettoni Pamela Jane Bettoni 1924 - 1988 Ursela H J Reypa 63 63 Name: Reypa, Ursela H I (but also recorded as Sieper in the Cheshire and Lancashire BMD indexes).  Confirmed as Reypa by family.

Sue recalls that when they were first married, Ursula wasn't familiar with Manchester ways and the weather and did as she had done in her native Germany.  In the morning when making the bed, she would hang the quilt out of the window of each bedroom for airing.  Something not done in Manchester and the neighbours were so distressed that they thought she had gone mad and phoned Joe to come home from work straight away!  Also, that Ursula never settled in England.

She always said she was just a tenant in England and was not intending to stay.  She was a very tough Bavaria Lady, nice don't get me wrong.  Ursula did not have an easy time living in England after the War.  Sue can remember once her arriving at their house upset that she had gone to fill their car with petrol and when paying the guy at the petrol station relishing she was German abused her as his son had been killed in the War. I was upset for both sides, you can see his point of view but then it was not Ursula's fault see was German, not Nazi I am sure.

Ursula lived in Bavaria and was in the Munich phone books of 1977,78,79.
 Monica Ann Mather Brian Richard Mather Iris Ursula Mather Susan (Sue) Jean Doxey 1855 - 1907 Emily Anne Herring 51 51 Emelie's parents were Elizabeth and Henry.

Living in Liverpool with parents in 1871
Living at 121 Knowsley Road in 1891
Living at 13 Brill St in 1901 1882 - 1952 Sidney Mercer 70 70 Living at 121 Knowsley Road in 1891
Living at 13 Brill St in 1901 1879 - 1928 Douglas Mercer 49 49 Living at 121 Knowsley Road in 1891
Living at 13 Brill St in 1901, aged 22 1949 - 2006 Martin Green 57 57 Possibly John Martin Green from Macclesfield. Stephen (Steve) G Robinson Jennifer (Jenny) Dawn Robinson Mark Gibbons Daniel William David Douglas Gibbons Elizabeth (Lizzie) Louise Gibbons Rodney Adshead Rebecca Sweeney Sherry Care R Adshead Jacob Benjamin Adshead Amanda J Yaffe Jody Marks Stephen M Jupe Jacob Levi Jupe Eden Ellie Jupe 1914 - 1973 Lawrence (Laurie) Doxey 58 58 Sue's father was born (as was the rest of the Doxey family) in Newton Heath, Manchester in the house on Droylsden Road.  Sue has a photo of it of the year her Father was born 1914.  They still have some furniture from the house, which was demoltioned in the 1960's. 1850 - 1921 John Robert Mercer 70 70 John had his brother, Joseph Mercer, a pattern Maker, living with him in 1881.  He also had a sister Sarah (1854-1896).

About 1882, the family moved to St Helens.  Later births are registered there.

Living at 121 Knowsley Road in 1891
Living at 13 Brill St in 1901 Marriage (a child) 15-Apr-1977 (Florida) ■No more children Marriage (two children) Jun 2001 Marriage (six children) 1912 (Birkenhead) Marriage 2008 (Greece) Marriage 1912 (B'head) Marriage (a child) 1912 (B'head) Marriage (ten children) 1907 (Birkenhead) ■No more children Marriage (nine children) 14 May 1905 ■No more children Marriage David Edward L Robinson 1885 Florence Mercer Living at 121 Knowsley Road in 1891
Living at 13 Brill St in 1901, aged 14 1888 Edith (Eda) Mercer Living at 121 Knowsley Road in 1891
Living at 13 Brill St in 1901

Archie and Edith Wright (nee Mercer) was Lily Mercer's sister and were close to the Wright family so Sue D has history and several photos of them, 1890 Ernest Mercer Living at 121 Knowsley Road in 1891, Aged 7mo
Living at 13 Brill St in 1901

Ernst may have married Ethel Salisbury in 1913 or Ellen L Roberts 1914, in Birkenhead. 1893 William W or A Mercer Living at 13 Brill St, Birkenhead in 1901 1874 - 1945 Herbert Dutton Mercer 71 71 Living at 121 Knowsley Road in 1891

Left home by 1901, and persumed to be in Birkenhead, where all the children's births are registered.  Herbert and Mary took their time before getting married in 1907, by which time thier oldest child was 9 years old. 1905 - 1907 Elsie Mather 1 1 There may have also been another Elsie who also died young, as another was pictured in the family group of ~1911. Ronald (Ron) Edward Brown Shani Brown Amanda Jane Green Michelle Claire Green Mark Richard Green Steve G Hall Chloe Elizabeth Hall George Stephen Hall 1886 - ~1982 Archibald (Archie) Pickin Wright 95 95 Archie was the son of Benjamin and Annie Wright, both from Scotland.  The death index shows his middle name was Pickin, a most unusual name!

Archie was their youngest son, born in Birkenhead, and living at 144 Argyle Street, Clifton, Birkenhead in 1901.

Archie was in the 1st War.  SueD has a photo of him in uniform.  After the war he was a horseless carriage builder for the famous Ford company. 1912 Albert Wright Was Albert was born before the marriage of Archie and Edith, or is this Albert from another marriage.  There are no other marriages to be found in Cheshire, although several occured in Lancashire between Mercer and Wright. 1913 - 1984 Edith (Edie) Wright 71 71 Both sisters Janet and Edie never married, staying at home to look after their father Archie up to his end in 1982.  Both died shortly after. 1914 - 1983 Janet Wright 68 68 Janet worked in various factorys.  One was a material Manufactory as she came home with a lot of remient pieces for Winnie, who liked to make things on her sawing Machine.  She also worked in a biscuit factory but sadly, all the biscuits are now gone.

Sue's mother told her that as their father, Archie, got older they stopped going out as one felt it was not fair on the other who stayed with Dad.  They both stayed to look after there Father till the end.

Both sisters Janet and Edie never married, staying at home to look after their father Archie up to his end in 1982.  Both died shortly after. 1926 John B Wright Married, but wife’s name unknown.

Managers of “The Mallard” Public House, Langley, Middleton, Manchester.

Susan and Stephen Robinson had their Wedding reception there in 1974, so kept it in the Family.
 1923 - 1924 Hilda Wright 1 1 1922 - 1932 May Wright 10 10 Karen Jones Henry Howarth ~1890 Florence J F Hill 1876 Mary Moutray 1884 - 1960 Frances Violet Smith 76 76 1891 Ellen Louisa Roberts 1898 - 1973 Henry Dutton Mercer 75 75 1900 Mona Mercer 1902 - 1986 John Dutton Mercer 84 84 1906 - 1970 Alice Mercer 64 64 1908 - 1914 Eileen Mercer 6 6 1909 Emily May Mercer 1911 - 1990 Gerald Mercer 79 79 1913 Dorothy Mercer 1917 - 1963 Alexander Dutton Mercer 46 46 1915 Herbert Mercer 1906 - 1986 Violet Mercer 80 80 1908 - 1968 Walter Mercer 60 60 1910 - 1983 Douglas Mercer 73 73 1913 George Mercer 1915 Albert Mercer 1904 Charles Mercer 1918 Gladys Mercer 1920 Edith Mercer 1922 Stanley Mercer 1914 - 1919 May Mercer 5 5 Created using GenoPro® Click for details.