HARRY’S FATHER – WILLIAM LEEDHAM
In the 1881 Census, recorded on the night of Sunday 3rd April 1881, we find the 15 year old William living with his parents, WILLIAM and EMMA LEEDHAM (my great-grandparents) at 1 Chester Street, Leicester in the Parish of St. Margarets
This record is not very clear, however the details, as far as I can decipher, are below..
[table]
Road /Street, Name,Relationship,Marriage Status, Age,Occupation, Where Born
1 Chester Street,William Leedham,Head, Married,37, Shoehand, “Leicester”
,Emma Leedham,Wife, Married,34, Machinist Shoes, “Leicester”
, William Leedham,Son, Single,15, Shoehand,”Leicester”
, John H Leedham,Son, Single,7, Scholar,”Leicester”
, Mary A Leedham,Daughter, Single,5, Scholar,”Leicester”
, Henry Leedham,Son, Single,3, “”,”Leicester”
, Thomas C Leedham,Son, Single,Infant, “”,”Leicester”
[/table]
William’s parents and Harry’s grandparents are identified as William (born 1843 or 1844) and Emma (born 1846 or 1847). In 1881 William, George Harry’s father is 15 years old, is working in the shoe trade and has 4 siblings ( 3 brothers and one sister).
Chester Street in Leicester no longer exists but it was in the St Matthews area of Leicester. Photographs of pubs in Chester Street are below, giving an indication of the actual street.
LEICESTER RECORDS OFFICE: Get street map of Chester Street c. 1881
Back in time another 10 years to the 1871 Census, recorded on the night of Sunday 2nd April 1871. There we find George Harry Leedham’s father, William Leedham, age 5 years old and living with his own parents and an infant brother. The family are living at 7 Woodboy Street, Leicester, which is a street in St Matthews, adjoins the Belgrave Road and is in the Parish of St. Margarets. There are also two lodgers in the house.
[table]
Road /Street, Name,Relationship,Marriage Status, Age,Occupation, Where Born
7 Woodboy Street,William S Leedham,Head, Married,27, Shoe finisher, “Leicestershire Leicester”
,Emma Leedham,Wife, Married,23, Machinist, “Leicestershire Leicester”
, William Leedham,Son, “”,5, Scholar,”Leicestershire Leicester”
, John H Leedham,Son, “”,2 months, “”,”Leicestershire Leicester”
, Charlotte Coleman,Lodger, Widow,50, Workerwoman,”Leicestershire Leicester”
, James Coleman,Lodger, Unmarried,19, Shoe Riveter,”Leicestershire Leicester”
[/table]
Interestingly William’s name is recorded a ‘William S. Leedham’ on the Census, which likely is the ‘SMITH‘ in the 1886 marriage records.
LEICESTER RECORDS OFFICE: Get street map of Woodboy Street c. 1871
The Leedham Family – from 1881 to 1902
Now to follow the back the line of Lydia Harriet Curtis….
Next Page: Harry’s Mother – Lydia Harriet Curtis