Rosalind Davies' Family History
© Rosalind Davies 2001
Permission granted to reprint research for non-profit use only

My grandmother, Jenny Riding was born on 25th November 1889 at 25 Charles Street, Scotforth, Lancaster. i. She was christened Janet after her maternal step- grandmother, Janet Robinson. Her father was William Riding and her mother was Sarah Anne Robinson; she was one of eleven children who were born and raised in that small terraced house in Charles Street.

			Jenny had three older sisters and two older brothers to help raise her whilst her mother was busy with the younger children. When she was 12 years old she attended Westham Street Wesleyan Band of Hope and won a book prize titled "Pictures and Stories of Natural History- Wild Animals with Illustrations" . (Probably similar to Sunday School.) Whilst her father, William, was a very strict, the family was a happy one. He would often send the girls outside if they giggled too much at the table but would bring them back in later to finish their meal. ii Her father died of heart disease when she was 18 years old. iii

Another postcard was written to Janette Riding on 24th July 1913; this time she and Gordon were living in Kensington, Adelaide. On the front is a picture of Lake & New Bridge, Williamson Park, Lancaster.

"Belvidere
Dearest Janetta,
Thank you for your card. Adelaide seems to be a nice place. You will be quite settled down & never time to feel lonely now that you have got baby. Sorry Gordon does not keep in regular work. A pity he couldn't learn walling. I wonder what football team Tom Davies will join next year. Greaves sometimes have given up. Mother is feeling slightly better again this week & the rest of us are quite well. I do wish Mother could get alright. She has to have egg etc whether they are expensive or not & it cost her four & six shillings a week for medicine. She never gets a chance to have a hapenny before her & it makes her get low-spirited at times. I am going to take her to Morecombe on August Monday if the weather is alright & she is fit to go. Lord Ashton is going to build another mill, Janet, a cotton mill. About time something was done to brisk Lancaster up. With love to baby Gordon & yourself.
Yours,
Jenny xxx"

Dear Janet,
Thank you for the PC (postcard) you sent me of Murray Bridge. It is a bigger place than I thought it was. Hope you are all quite well. Mother is keeping alright. We are having rotten weather. We had a letter from Ted this week & thank him for the money. The money has come regularly since you went out, as have also the letters. We are all in the pink. The Terriors got back alright last week. Next week I will send Ted a PC of a Territorial group. There may be some of his friends on it. Don't you think this a good photo of the old Castle that your house is called after." (See below)
"Your loving sister,
Jenny xxx

Jenny in 1913.

She used this postcard portrait as her Christmas Card.

On the 11th April 1914 Jenny married Tom Davies at St Paul's Church of England, Scotforth (photo right) . Her sister Lilian and bridesmaid and Tom's brother John was best man. Unfortunately, her mother died just two days later of cancer of the bladder. She was 60 years old. vii The wedding was probably low key because of her impending death.