Mary Ellen Earnshaw was the fifth child of Robert Earnshaw and Ann Richardson born April-June 1877 at Seaham, Co. Durham.
Mary was living at home at the time of the 1881 (Seaham Park, Seaham) & 1891 (Grange Terrace, Ryhope) censuses.
Mary married Richard Herbert Clifford on June 29th, 1898 at St Paul’s, Ryhope. Richard was born July-September 1876 at Ryhope, the son of Frances M & Richard Clifford, a plate layer. Richard worked in the paper mill as a paper maker. Witnesses at the wedding were John & Ada Earnshaw, Mary’s brother & sister.
In 1901 Mary and Richard were living at Stockton Terrace, Ryhope with Mary’s parents – Robert & Ann Earnshaw. By this time they had a 1 year old son, Charles Clifford. Later that year Mary & Richard moved to Regent Terr, Ryhope.
At the time of the 1911 census Richard & Mary's address was Oughtybridge, Sheffield. There has been a paper mill at Oughtybridge since at least 1871 when it became the first to use wood pulp instead of rags to make paper. The mill closed only recently in 2007! Richard was a paper finisher. They had 5 children – Charles, Ada Earnshaw (9), Frances Ann (7), Dorcas Mary (5) & Elizabeth (1). The last 2 children had been born at Oughtybridge. Interestingly Richard appears not to have been at home at the time of the census although listed there. He also appears on the census of his parents home at 23 Leechmere Rd, Grangetown. Many of his brothers & sisters were also at the parental home – perhaps there was a family occasion.
The children of Mary Ellen Earnshaw and Richard Herbert Clifford were:
e.1.6.5.1 Charles Clifford born Oct-Dec 1900 at Ryhope (Grangetown), Co Durham
e.1.6.5.2 Ada Earnshaw Clifford born July 15th, 1901 at 2 Regent Terr, Ryhope
& christened August 8th, 1901 at St Paul’s, Ryhope
e.1.6.5.3 Frances Ann Clifford born October 30th, 1903 at 11 Regent Terr,
Ryhope & christened November 26th, 1903 at St Paul’s, Ryhope
e.1.6.5.4 Dorcas Mary Clifford born April-June 1906 at Oughtybridge, Sheffield, Yorks
e.1.6.5.5 Elizabeth Clifford born Oct-december 1909 at Oughtybridge, Sheffield, Yorks