Person Sheet
NameJohn William GAFFEY
Birth Memo1861 UK Census shows birth in Scotland; 1871 UK Census shows birthdate of 1833
Death1892, Streator, LaSalle, Illinois Age: 55
BurialAuburn Cemetery, Auburn, Sangamon, Illinois
Burial MemoI was at the cemtery, but could not find him.
OccupationCoal Miner; Pitman [85]
FatherDaniel GAFFEY
MotherUNNAMED (-<1861)
Misc. Notes
1. Although not confirmed, there is a John Gaffy in the 1870 US Census for Virginia City, Nevada (page 99). The John Gaffy in this census is the same age and is also a miner, living alone as a boarder with other miners. He is listed as being a US citizen. It’s possible John came to Virginia City in 1870 to work in the silver mines of the Comstock Load, which was a large silver strike at that time. John could have come to make money and then returned to England for his wife and children.
Spouses
Birth MemoThe gravestone in Auburn Cemetery shows her birth year as 1844. The Death Certificate shows her birth year as 1832. The 1880 US Census shows 1846, the 1900 US Census shows 1841, and the 1910 US Census shows 1850. (1832 seems to be the most plausible, when considering the marriage date and children’s dates)
Christen7 Jun 1841, St. Andrew Auckland Church [88] Age: <1
Burial24 Jun 1917, Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, Sangamon, Illinois [87]
Cause of deathCerebral Hemorrhage
FatherCulbert/Cuthbert WOLFE/WOOF (~1786-1868)
MotherEllen HARDY (-<1861)
Misc. Notes
1. From the Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916–1950, Illinois State Archives web site http://www.sos.state.il.us/cgi-bin/archives/marriage.s:
Elizabeth Gaffey; White; Female; Age - unknown; Certificate #0036858; Death Date 06-22-1917; County - Sangamon; City - Thayer, Date Filed 06-24-1917. [27]
2. In an email from Harry Nash (14 Oct 2002), he gives his thoughts on Elizabeth’s Certificate of Death which he was kind enough to send me a copy. Harry writes the following:
...“Place of Birth - Bransmith. No such place. More than likely Brancepeth, County Durham. John Wakenshaw was the informant and he was from Hartleypool, which was in County Durham and he would have pronounced the place name as the locals would have, which would be Branspeth. The ear of the recorder hearing this may well hear Bransmith.
...Date of Birth - February 29th 1832. Well, maybe. However, Elizabeth has had many birthdays. 1844, 1846, 1841 and 1832. I am not sure when she may have been born. In the 1900 census of La Salle county Illinois, it states she had had 11 children of which 4 where living. Ann, Elizabeth, Ellen and ?. The Gaffeys arrived in the U.S.A in 1870 and at least two children were born in America. That leaves at most nine to be born prior to 1870. One birth a year maximum would mean a marriage about 1856 at age 24 (1832 birth date).
...Parent's names - Father's name Culbert. Well, my grandfather's name was Culbert and my middle name is Culbert. However, the LDS IGI has a marriage between a Cuthbert Wolf and Ellen (Eleanor) Hardy of Gateshead, County Durham (Newcastle is on the north side of the Tyne and Gateshead on the south). So, I suspect Culbert may be a corruption of Cuthbert.”
3. From the 1900 US Census, Illinois, LaSalle, Bruce Township (excluding Streator City), Sheet 4A, District 33, Lines 27-39, enumerated 4 June 1900:
Elizabeth Gaffey, Head, b. Feb 1846, Age 54, Widow, Mother of 11 children, Number still living - 4, POB - England, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Immigrated to US in 1870, Own Home, Free of Morgage.
Helen Wakenshaw [should be Ellen], Daughter, b. Oct 1869, Age 30, Married 15 years, Mother of 5 children, Number still living - 5, POB - England, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Immigrated 1870.
Anna Nash, Daughter, b. May 1872, Age 28, Married 8 years, Mother of 5 children, Number still living - 5, POB - Ohio, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England.
William Wakenshaw, Grandson, b. May 1888, Age 12, Single, POB - Illinois, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Attends School.
Lizzie Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Feb 1892, Age 8, POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Eva Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Mar 1896, Age 4, POB - Montana.
Thomas Wakenshaw, Grandson, b. Feb 1894, Age 6, POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Ruth Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Dec 1896, Age 3, POB - Montana.
Harry Nash, Grandson, b. Sept 1891, Age 8, POB - Illinois, Father POB - England, Mother POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Culbert Nash, Grandson, b. July 1893, Age 6, POB - Illinois, attends School.
William Nash, Grandson, b. Feb 1896, Age 4, POB - Montana.
Charlotte Nash, Grand Daughter, b. Sept 1896, Age 3, POB - Montana.
John Nash, Grandson, b. May 1900, Age 1/12, POB - Illinois.
4. From the 1910 US Census, Illinois, LaSalle, Bruce Township, Streator City (part of), ED 80, Sheet 12A, Enumerated 22 Apr 1910:
Elizabeth Gaffey; Head; Age 60; Widow; Mother of 6 Children, 3 Still Living; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated to USA 1875; Occupation - Janitor in School & Homes; Rents Home.
Elizabeth Gaffey; White; Female; Age - unknown; Certificate #0036858; Death Date 06-22-1917; County - Sangamon; City - Thayer, Date Filed 06-24-1917. [27]
2. In an email from Harry Nash (14 Oct 2002), he gives his thoughts on Elizabeth’s Certificate of Death which he was kind enough to send me a copy. Harry writes the following:
...“Place of Birth - Bransmith. No such place. More than likely Brancepeth, County Durham. John Wakenshaw was the informant and he was from Hartleypool, which was in County Durham and he would have pronounced the place name as the locals would have, which would be Branspeth. The ear of the recorder hearing this may well hear Bransmith.
...Date of Birth - February 29th 1832. Well, maybe. However, Elizabeth has had many birthdays. 1844, 1846, 1841 and 1832. I am not sure when she may have been born. In the 1900 census of La Salle county Illinois, it states she had had 11 children of which 4 where living. Ann, Elizabeth, Ellen and ?. The Gaffeys arrived in the U.S.A in 1870 and at least two children were born in America. That leaves at most nine to be born prior to 1870. One birth a year maximum would mean a marriage about 1856 at age 24 (1832 birth date).
...Parent's names - Father's name Culbert. Well, my grandfather's name was Culbert and my middle name is Culbert. However, the LDS IGI has a marriage between a Cuthbert Wolf and Ellen (Eleanor) Hardy of Gateshead, County Durham (Newcastle is on the north side of the Tyne and Gateshead on the south). So, I suspect Culbert may be a corruption of Cuthbert.”
3. From the 1900 US Census, Illinois, LaSalle, Bruce Township (excluding Streator City), Sheet 4A, District 33, Lines 27-39, enumerated 4 June 1900:
Elizabeth Gaffey, Head, b. Feb 1846, Age 54, Widow, Mother of 11 children, Number still living - 4, POB - England, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Immigrated to US in 1870, Own Home, Free of Morgage.
Helen Wakenshaw [should be Ellen], Daughter, b. Oct 1869, Age 30, Married 15 years, Mother of 5 children, Number still living - 5, POB - England, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Immigrated 1870.
Anna Nash, Daughter, b. May 1872, Age 28, Married 8 years, Mother of 5 children, Number still living - 5, POB - Ohio, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England.
William Wakenshaw, Grandson, b. May 1888, Age 12, Single, POB - Illinois, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Attends School.
Lizzie Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Feb 1892, Age 8, POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Eva Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Mar 1896, Age 4, POB - Montana.
Thomas Wakenshaw, Grandson, b. Feb 1894, Age 6, POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Ruth Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Dec 1896, Age 3, POB - Montana.
Harry Nash, Grandson, b. Sept 1891, Age 8, POB - Illinois, Father POB - England, Mother POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Culbert Nash, Grandson, b. July 1893, Age 6, POB - Illinois, attends School.
William Nash, Grandson, b. Feb 1896, Age 4, POB - Montana.
Charlotte Nash, Grand Daughter, b. Sept 1896, Age 3, POB - Montana.
John Nash, Grandson, b. May 1900, Age 1/12, POB - Illinois.
4. From the 1910 US Census, Illinois, LaSalle, Bruce Township, Streator City (part of), ED 80, Sheet 12A, Enumerated 22 Apr 1910:
Elizabeth Gaffey; Head; Age 60; Widow; Mother of 6 Children, 3 Still Living; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England; Immigrated to USA 1875; Occupation - Janitor in School & Homes; Rents Home.
Marriage16 May 1859, Auckland, Durham, England [85]
Marr MemoMarriage Certificate shows groom’s surname spelled GAFFY, and bride’s maiden name as WOOFF.
Misc. Notes
1. This info sent to me by Harry Nash, July 2004 (he is referring to the 1861 and 1871 UK Census):
“In 1861 John and Elizabeth are living in Helmington Row, Bowden Close, Auckland District, County Durham. John is listed as head of household, married, 26, Coalminer, Scotland. Elizabeth, wife, 18, born Bishop Auckland, County Durham. John, son,1, born Bowden Close, County Durham. Cuthbert Woof, father-in-law, widowed, 75, coalminer, born Gateshead, County Durham.”
“In the 1871 census John and Elizabeth are living in Durham District, Willington Village, 38 Russell Place. John is head of household, married, 38, coalminer, Scotland. Elizabeth, wife, married, 30, born Canny Hill, County Durham. Catherine, daughter, 9, scholar, born Bowden Close, County Durham. Ellen, daughter, 3, born Bowden Close, County Durham. Daniel Gaffey, uncle, 60, coalminer, Ireland.”
3. From the 1880 US Census, Illinois, Grundy, Diamond; FHL Film #1254210; National Archives Film #T9-0210, Page 420B:
John Gaffy; Head; Married; Age 43; POB Ireland; Occupation - Coal Miner; Father POB Ireland; Mother POB Ireland
Elizabeth Gaffy; Wife; Married; Age 39; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England
Ellen Gaffy; Daughter; Single; Age 11; POB England
Anna Gaffy; Daughter; Single; Age 7; POB England
Elizabeth Gaffy; Daughter; Single; Age 2; POB Illinois
Robert Livingston; Other; Single; Age 42; POB Ireland; Occupation - Miner; Father POB Ireland; Mother POB Ireland
Martain King; Other; Widower; Age 35; POB Ireland; Occupation - Miner; Father POB Ireland; Mother POB Ireland
Martain King; Other; Single; Age 8; POB Pennsylvania; Father POB Ireland; Mother POB Ireland
4. From the 1900 US Census, Illinois, LaSalle, Bruce Township (excluding Streator City), Sheet 4A, District 33, Lines 27-39, enumerated 4 June 1900:
Elizabeth Gaffey, Head, b. Feb 1846, Age 54, Widow, Mother of 11 children, Number still living - 4, POB - England, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Immigrated to US in 1870, Own Home, Free of Morgage.
Helen Wakenshaw [should be Ellen], Daughter, b. Oct 1869, Age 30, Married 15 years, Mother of 5 children, Number still living - 5, POB - England, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Immigrated 1870.
Anna Nash, Daughter, b. May 1872, Age 28, Married 8 years, Mother of 5 children, Number still living - 5, POB - Ohio, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England.
William Wakenshaw, Grandson, b. May 1888, Age 12, Single, POB - Illinois, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Attends School.
Lizzie Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Feb 1892, Age 8, POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Eva Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Mar 1896, Age 4, POB - Montana.
Thomas Wakenshaw, Grandson, b. Feb 1894, Age 6, POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Ruth Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Dec 1896, Age 3, POB - Montana.
Harry Nash, Grandson, b. Sept 1891, Age 8, POB - Illinois, Father POB - England, Mother POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Culbert Nash, Grandson, b. July 1893, Age 6, POB - Illinois, attends School.
William Nash, Grandson, b. Feb 1896, Age 4, POB - Montana.
Charlotte Nash, Grand Daughter, b. Sept 1896, Age 3, POB - Montana.
John Nash, Grandson, b. May 1900, Age 1/12, POB - Illinois.
“In 1861 John and Elizabeth are living in Helmington Row, Bowden Close, Auckland District, County Durham. John is listed as head of household, married, 26, Coalminer, Scotland. Elizabeth, wife, 18, born Bishop Auckland, County Durham. John, son,1, born Bowden Close, County Durham. Cuthbert Woof, father-in-law, widowed, 75, coalminer, born Gateshead, County Durham.”
“In the 1871 census John and Elizabeth are living in Durham District, Willington Village, 38 Russell Place. John is head of household, married, 38, coalminer, Scotland. Elizabeth, wife, married, 30, born Canny Hill, County Durham. Catherine, daughter, 9, scholar, born Bowden Close, County Durham. Ellen, daughter, 3, born Bowden Close, County Durham. Daniel Gaffey, uncle, 60, coalminer, Ireland.”
3. From the 1880 US Census, Illinois, Grundy, Diamond; FHL Film #1254210; National Archives Film #T9-0210, Page 420B:
John Gaffy; Head; Married; Age 43; POB Ireland; Occupation - Coal Miner; Father POB Ireland; Mother POB Ireland
Elizabeth Gaffy; Wife; Married; Age 39; POB England; Father POB England; Mother POB England
Ellen Gaffy; Daughter; Single; Age 11; POB England
Anna Gaffy; Daughter; Single; Age 7; POB England
Elizabeth Gaffy; Daughter; Single; Age 2; POB Illinois
Robert Livingston; Other; Single; Age 42; POB Ireland; Occupation - Miner; Father POB Ireland; Mother POB Ireland
Martain King; Other; Widower; Age 35; POB Ireland; Occupation - Miner; Father POB Ireland; Mother POB Ireland
Martain King; Other; Single; Age 8; POB Pennsylvania; Father POB Ireland; Mother POB Ireland
4. From the 1900 US Census, Illinois, LaSalle, Bruce Township (excluding Streator City), Sheet 4A, District 33, Lines 27-39, enumerated 4 June 1900:
Elizabeth Gaffey, Head, b. Feb 1846, Age 54, Widow, Mother of 11 children, Number still living - 4, POB - England, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Immigrated to US in 1870, Own Home, Free of Morgage.
Helen Wakenshaw [should be Ellen], Daughter, b. Oct 1869, Age 30, Married 15 years, Mother of 5 children, Number still living - 5, POB - England, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Immigrated 1870.
Anna Nash, Daughter, b. May 1872, Age 28, Married 8 years, Mother of 5 children, Number still living - 5, POB - Ohio, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England.
William Wakenshaw, Grandson, b. May 1888, Age 12, Single, POB - Illinois, Father POB - England, Mother POB - England, Attends School.
Lizzie Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Feb 1892, Age 8, POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Eva Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Mar 1896, Age 4, POB - Montana.
Thomas Wakenshaw, Grandson, b. Feb 1894, Age 6, POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Ruth Wakenshaw, Grand Daughter, b. Dec 1896, Age 3, POB - Montana.
Harry Nash, Grandson, b. Sept 1891, Age 8, POB - Illinois, Father POB - England, Mother POB - Illinois, Attends School.
Culbert Nash, Grandson, b. July 1893, Age 6, POB - Illinois, attends School.
William Nash, Grandson, b. Feb 1896, Age 4, POB - Montana.
Charlotte Nash, Grand Daughter, b. Sept 1896, Age 3, POB - Montana.
John Nash, Grandson, b. May 1900, Age 1/12, POB - Illinois.
ChildrenJohn (~1860-)
Catherine (~1862-)
Ellen (1867-1925)
Anna “Annie” (1872-~1902)
Elizabeth “Lizzie” (1878-1943)
Ruth (~1882-)