Annie Stubbs

There were 2 births registered in York for an Annie Robinson between 1883 and 1886 - either could be correct for the 6 year old Annie

• Births Dec 1884 Robinson Annie York 9d 48
• Births Dec 1885 Robinson Annie York 9d 9

The 1884 birth refers to Annie Robinson the illegitimate daughter of Eliza Robinson. She was born 11 November 1884 at 55 Persley Grove St., St. Maurice in York.

This was the birth chosen by WDYTYA as the Annie connected to Una Stubbs.

Annie, aged 6 is found in the household of Mary Hannah Horsfall nee Harper 39 and her blind husband Joe 39 at the time of the 1891 Census (Attached). They were married in MarQ 1875 in York RD Yorkshire - volume 9d page 71. They had a daughter Lydia Ann born in SepQ 1875 York RD 9d 38.

The Horsfall family was in Clifton, York in 1881, (attached) but by 1901 Joe had died and Annie was using Horsfall as her name.

3 years later Annie had an illegitimate child, registered as Albert Horsfall. He was born in the York workhouse. Eliza had been admitted to the workhouse on 29 Sept. 1903 2 weeks before Albert was born on 11 Nov. WDYTYA mentioned that Annie's mother, Lizzie, died the same year.

4 years later on 25 Oct 1908 Annie had a 2nd illegitimate child, Clarence Watson Robinson, born at 50 Rose Street.

On 2nd March 1909 Annie married Arthur Stubbs. He was only 19 years old, and she was 23. Arthur's place of abode was 50 Rose Street - the house where Clarence was born, and Annie's the house was 45 Rose St., the house opposite. Arthur was adopted by Albert who had been 15 when Arthur was born.

More about ...

... Joe Horsfall to see if there could have been a connection between him and Eliza Robinson.

Joe was born in Shelf near Halifax in about 1851/2. He was the son of John Horsfall and Lydia Boothroyd. John Horsfall was a dyer. His father was Joseph Horsfall, a weaver. Lydia Boothroyd's father was Joseph Boothroyd, also a dyer. John and Lydia married in Kirkheaton, Yorkshire on 25th December 1839.

Joe Horsfall was living with his parents at the time of the 1861 census. He was a ten year old scholar.
By 1871, Joe had been placed in a school for the blind in York. Something must have led to his blindness between 1861 and 1871. There may be records of his admission to the school in York if anyone has access to find out.

Joe Horsfall married Mary Hannah Harper in York in 1875.

I can't see a direct link to Eliza Robinson but I guess it is possible there was a paid arrangement for the Horsfall's to take in Annie. I have not been able to find out much about Eliza Robinson. It is possible she died or married after Annie was born. http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/forum/topic9551.html

AND There are no obvious Eliza's in York in 1881, but there are a few Elizabeth's which are possibilities.

There are no deaths in York for an Eliza/beth Robinson between 1885 and the 1891 census (Annie's DOB was 11.11.1884) but there are 2 marriages:

Eliza Robinson m Francis Fieldhouse, Mar 1885 (can't locate them in 1891) Elizabeth Robinson m Thomas Coates, Dec 1887 (living in York with 2 young daughters in 1891)

There is an unmarried Elizabeth Robinson in 1891, age 28, born Ruswarp, a Domestic Servant to William Crow, a butcher on Walmgate. She is also in York in 1881, age 18, a servant to William Ventriss, an engine driver living on Kyme Street. These 2 addresses are close to Penley's Grove Street where Annie was born, so she could be a candidate.

In regards to the Horsfall's adopting her. Townend Street, where the family are living in 1891, runs directly on from Penley's Grove Street where Annie was born, so perhaps they were close neighbours?

I presume the researchers couldn't identify Eliza for certain? When asked by Una when Annie was adopted they said they didn't know. I realise the show is edited and they celebrities are given more info than what is shown, but perhaps a brief mention of being unable to trace Eliza, if that were the case, would help viewers understand why Annie was adopted.

http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/forum/topic9551.html