Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Is anyone looking into this gentleman and his family? He was born in Nottingham, worked in Liverpool as a journalist in the 1850s, went back to Nottingham to become an auctioneer and then returned to Liverpool in the 1860s. He ran the firm Thomas Whitehead and Sons. He died in New Brighton in 1910.

Quite a number of people have read your post but no replies as yet. Is there anything in particular you are searching for or just looking to make connections?

Not doing too well on this query!

I was hoping someone might have him in the family: he had lots of children. I'm interested in his literary and journalistic career but, to be going on with, I'd settle for any basic info not in censuses and trade directories.

Ever hopeful, Nick

Liverpool Mercury etc (Liverpool, England), Wednesday, September 30, 1868; Issue 6452.
LOCAL NEWS
Daring burglary - Early yesterday morning an entrance was effected to the house of Mr Thomas Whitehead Auctioneer, 85 Woodville Terrace, and property to the value of £10 to £12 extracted. About twelve o'clock the house was seen to be secure and at six o'clock the following morning, as Mr Whitehead's eldest daughter was going downstairs she heard a slight noise. Being frightened, she went upstairs again, but thinking that it was a younger brother, she went down into the kitchen, when she saw that the window was open, and "everything in a mess". She at once awoke her father and the rest of the family, and the place was examined, when three overcoats, two surtout coats, a vest, a pair of trousers, three shirts, two pair of boots, an opera glass, &c., altogether worth about £12, were missing. An old black coat, spotted with green paint, was left in the place where one of the others was hanging. Information was given to the police and Detectives Boyes and Jones are making inquiries. Hitherto no clue has been found as to the whereabouts of the thieves, and no property has been recovered.

Might not be much in the way of information, but it gives a business address.

The Leeds Mercury (Leeds, England), Monday, October 23, 1865; Issue 8589.
Tobacco Manufactory in Manchester - Capital business premises, in one of the best situations in Manchester; shop fixtures, trade utensils and machinery, with steam power. In-coming low. Apply to Thomas Whitehead, Auctioneer and Valuer, Cross Street Chambers, Manchester.

Liverpool Mercury etc (Liverpool, England), Monday, November 8, 1869; Issue 6798
This describes a sale of furniture in premises in Liverpool and gives the address of Thomas Whitehead Auctioneer, 27 North John Street.

Seems to be doing well for himself - by 1877 he has premises 13 North John Street and 15 and 17 Williamson Street, Liverpool.

Is this the same guy I wonder?
The Ipswich Journal (Ipswich, England), Saturday, May 15, 1880; Issue 7844.
East Bergholt near Manningtree - For sale eight semi-detached cottages (Freehold) and one detached, with very long gardens; also 6 acres of land. Price £1,150 - Apply to Thomas D Whitehead, auctioneer and surveyor, opposite the station, Forest Gate, Essex.

He either gets about a bit or there are two of the same name.

PRESTON INTERMEDIATE SESSIONS .
The Preston Guardian etc (Preston, England), Saturday, December 2, 1882

In this newspaper there is a list of members of a Grand Jury at Preston Intermediate Sessions, one of whom is Thomas Whitehead, auctioneer, of Over Darwen.

I have three Thomas Whiteheads in my tree, but sadly not this Thomas!

My Whiteheads were in Formby c 1650, some moved to Crosby, Waterloo and Liverpool in later generations.


G

This is interesting, and a lot of names mentioned.

Liverpool Mercury etc (Liverpool, England), Saturday, August 21, 1886; Issue 12049.
LOCAL NEWS
Funeral of Mr Frank Whitehead. The funeral of the late Mr Frank Whitehead, who was drowned on Friday last whilst bathing at Ramsay, Isle of Man, where he was staying on a holiday, took place yesterday afternoon at the Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool. The funeral cortege left the residence of the father of the deceased, Mr Thomas Whitehead, auctioneer, St Domingo Grove - a little before two o'clock and the service was conducted in the chapel at the cemetery by the Rev. E.R. Barrett B.A. of the Norwood Congregational Chapel, which place of worship the deceased attended. At the conclusion of the service the reverence gentleman, in kindly terms, referred to the genial disposition of the deceased, and the sad manner in which he had lost his life. The chapel was crowded with relatives and friends. The coffin which was of polished oak with brass mountings, was covered with beautiful wreaths of flowers, sent by friends, in addition to one which was from the members of the Everton Cricket Club, of which the deceased was Captain. On the plate was the following inscription -
"Frank Whitehead died the 17th August, 1886, 21 years of age". The chief mourners were Mr Whitehead and Mrs Whitehead (father and mother); Mr George Whitehead, Mr Joseph Whitehead (brothers), Mrs E.D. White, Miss Whitehead, Miss Emily Whitehead and Miss Mabel Whitehead (sisters); Mr E.D. White (brother in law), Mrs Spalton of Vicar Wood, Derbyshire (aunt), Mr Joseph Mason (uncle), Mrs Mason (aunt), the Rev. E.R. Barrett B.A. and Mr William Hampson jun.

Among the many present at the graveside were a number of the officers and the congregation of the Norwood Chapel, as well as the members of the Everton Cricket Club. The friends at the Cemetery included Mr William Hampson, Mr Thomas Lee, Mr Harold Lee, Mr Gillieson, Mr Redfern, Lieutenant-Coloney Whitney, Mr E.B. Roose, Mr M.L. Jervis, Mr Molyneux, Mr S.W. Cheshire, Mr Horne, Mr S.M. Crosbie, Mr S Wright, Mr J.B. Mackenzie, Mr E.H. Edwards, Mr T. Holden, Mr Wilson, Mr Sherwin, Mr L Crosthwaite, Mr Hay (Secretary of the Everton Cricket Club), Mr D Geddes (deputy captain E.C.C.), Mr B Boyd (chairman of committee E.C.C.), and others. A large number of ladies were also present, many of whom brought flowers to be laid on the coffin.

Many thanks, Mary, for going to so much trouble. I like the newspaper articles! You can never tell what is going to provide the next lead. In this case, it's the names of former journalist colleagues of the father at the funeral, one of whom I can now positively identify. It sounds like small beer but it's actually very helpful indeed. Nick