William Henry was born around February 1864, probably at the family home at Duke of York Yard in the Eve Hill district of Dudley in Worcestershire. He was the first child of seven born to Isaiah Jackson, an Iron Moulder, and his wife Elizabeth (nee Ellis).

Around 1870, the family moved to Barrow-in-Furness, which was then in Lancashire. As an Iron Moulder, his father Isaiah no doubt saw good opportunities at the newly founded Iron Shipbuilding Company (later known as Vickers). So when the April 1871 census was taken the family are found living at 24 Scot Street in Dalton-in-Furness. The opportunities mustn't have been as good as expected because by 1877, the family had moved to Blackburn in Lancashire.

In April 1881, William was living with his parents and five siblings (a baby sister Eliza, had died in infancy) at 163 Birley Street in Blackburn. William was working as an Engine Fitter in a Foundry, which, given their address, was probably the Yates and Thom foundry who made static steam engines and boilers.

On the 27th of September 1884, William, now describing himself as an Iron Turner aged 21, married Rachel Eddleston, a Cotton Weaver aged 20. The marriage took place at St Paul's Church, just of Montague Street in Blackburn. It was witnessed by Rachel's sister Alice and someone called 'Thomas Edward Lithbridge', about whom nothing can be found in the records.

William and Rachel set up home at 40 Edmundson Street, still in the Wensley Fold district, where their first child Alice was born on the 27th of May 1886. By April 1891, they had moved to 53 Henrietta Street, a few streets away. William Henry was now 'head of the household', two more children had been born and Rachel's brother John and her sister Alice (both still unmarried) were living with them. William's occupation was described as a 'Steam Engine Maker'. They were all still at that address when the 1901 census was taken, with the addition of two more children. Rachel had given birth to three more children in that period but sadly a daughter named Elizabeth had died in infancy.

In April 1911, William and Rachel, their four sons and Rachel's sister Alice had moved a short distance to 151 Downham Street. William was again describing his occupation as an 'Iron Turner'.

William died on the xxth of November 1913 at the relatively young age of 49 years. He was buried on the 13th of November at, what is now, the Old Cemetery in Blackburn.

William Henry and Rachel had six children;

Alice Jackson ...1886- ??
Isaiah Jackson ...1888-1977
Alfred Jackson ...1890-1960
William Jackson ...1893- ??
Elizabeth Jackson ...1897-1897
John Jackson ...1901- ??

Notes