Grave Concerns
Grave-digging can lead to some unexpected finds! Not much in the way of treasure, but some valued links which can turn into real-world connections.
What’s in a Name?
Where the name Bell-Shearer come from and how William Shearer confused his great-great-grand-daughter! Two marriage records separated by the mighty Pennines.
Teenage Pregnancy
Single mothers in our family tree going back to 1707: not a new problem after all! Read how they coped in very different times.
Ruth Johnson
The end of the line – or the start of the adventure – depending on which way you look at it.
Steve Johnson
Father of Ruth and son of Joe and Lily Johnson
Born on 9 May 1919 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Married Gladys Crickmore on 11 July 1942
Died 27 October 2001 and buried in Undercliffe Cemetery
Gladys Crickmore
Mother of Ruth and daughter of Tommy and Flo Crickmore
Born Gladys Crickmore on 15 March 1913 in Bradford, Yorkshire
Married Stephen Johnson on 11 July 1942
Died 11 April 2005 and buried in Undercliffe Cemetery
Thomas Jarvis Crickmore
Father of Gladys and son of Harry and Kate Crickmore
Born Thomas Jarvis Crickmore on 3 December 1889 in Bradford, Yorkshire
Married Florence Bell Shearer on 1 October 1912
Died 15 January 1974 and buried in Undercliffe Cemetery
Florence Bell Shearer
Mother of Gladys and daughter of Hiram and Maria Shearer
Born Florence Bell Shearer on 8 December 1890 in Bradford, Yorkshire.
Married Thomas Jarvis Crickmore on 1 October 1912
Died 23 February 1979 and buried in Undercliffe Cemetery
Joe Johnson
Father of Stephen and son of William and Florence Johnson
Born Joseph William Johnson on 23 January 1887 in Newbold, Derbyshire
Married Lily Leachman in 1909
Died September 1940 in Chesterfield
Lily Leachman
Mother of Stephen and daughter of John and Mary Ann Leachman
Born Lillian (but used Lily) Leachman in 1890, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Married Joseph Johnson in 1909
Died in December 1957 in Chesterfield