Exploring our family history

My Mam and I have just had a lovely weekend in Harrogate. The main reason for our trip was to find some of the addresses that my Mam's ancestors lived at and retrace their steps. My Mam's maternal grandmother Margaret had a cousin called Mary Ann Rutherford Bannerman who worked in service in the North East before moving to Harrogate at the turn of the century. She had worked her way up from being a Housemaid as by the time the 1911 Census was taken she was listed as a Housekeeper at 22 York Place, Harrogate. By the time the 1921 Census was taken Mary had moved along the road to 17 York Place, Harrogate, and was a Housekeeper at a different boarding house. Then according to the 1939 electoral register Mary had moved to 11 Swan Road, Harrogate, and was an Apartment Manager. Sadly that was her last home in Harrogate as she died in 1949 and that address was documented on the probate calendar. My Nana Lottie had an older sister called Mary Bannerman Chisholm, named after Mary Ann Rutherford Bannerman. Young Mary was invited down to Harrogate by her second cousin to stay at the boarding house. My Mam and her siblings were told when they were young that their Auntie Mary enjoyed her time in Harrogate and very much wanted to stay there but when her mother Margaret died in 1932 she had to return to North Shields to take care of her father, brothers and sister Lottie who was only 14 at the time. Sadly 3 years after she returned from Harrogate Mary died from tuberculosis aged only 29. Even though my Mam never knew her Auntie Mary she was so happy to finally visit the town she stayed in 90 years earlier. 

 

From the 1911 Census.

Mam outside of 22 York Place, Harrogate. 

From the 1921 Census.

Mam outside of 17 York Place, Harrogate.

Mam at York Place where Mary Ann Rutherford Bannerman was a Housekeeper at 2 different boarding/lodging houses.

From the 1939 Electoral Register.

From the 1949 Probate Calendar. 

Mam outside of 11 Swan Lane, Harrogate.

Mam at Swan Lane where Mary Ann Rutherford Bannerman was an Apartment Manager until her death in 1949.

Young Mary Bannerman Chisholm in Harrogate. 

Mary Bannerman Chisholm after returning to North Shields.