John Edmond Ambrose Kelsall was born on 21 Jul 1835 in Burslem, Staffordshire, England, the son of Richard Kelsall and Ann Kettle. Richard's occupation was fish monger.
John married Mary Stubbs, born about 1843 and their abode was in Prestwich, Lancashire, England, his occupation fishmonger. John Kelsall was successful in business and together with his sons eventually owned and operated a fleet of trawlers and fishing related businesses. 

In 1888 aged 53 years, John married a second time, Florence Bennett aged 20 and together they had three additional issue. 

1890 steam trawler fleets

Reference:  https://kelsall.one-name.net/trees/staffordshire-trees/kelsall-brothers-fish-merchants-sons-of-richard-kelsall-and-ann-kettle/

Kelsall Brothers Co. operated out of Fleetwood, a port which was established in the 19th century and became linked to Manchester when the canal was deepened by dredging. Fishing fleets evolved there and extended to Hull around 1900. Key shipowners, providors, traders and merchants included:

• • Thomas Frederick Kelsall born 1871 in Greater Yarmouth, Norfolk, son of Thomas KELSALL and  Sarah BEECHING. The 1911 census shows he lived at 8 Esplanade, Fleetwood, Lancashire with wife Sarah  (b. 1873, m c. 1898) and child Phyllis Sarah (aged 7). Thomas worked on the Fleetwood pier and also at 108 High St. Manchester.  On 23rd December 1868 at St Nicholas' Church, Yarmouth, his father Mr Thomas Kelsall married Sarah, daughter of Mr James BEECHING, ship builder, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.   

  • Joseph Kelsall

  • Edward Kelsall

  • John Kelsall was the trading name of the father and John E.A. Kelsall, the trading name of his son.

  • Fred Kelsall 1896: trading from Fleetwood as Fred T. Kelsall & Co. Fleetwood occupied premises on Jubilee pier, Fleetwood

1890s: Between 1891 and 1897, Kelsall & Beeching created the ‘Gamecock fleet’ comprising 32 steam vessels such as the Amarapoora, Bovic, Burmah, Grouse, Jay, Remus, Swift, Valetta and Wren.. 

John Kelsall snr. of Hornsby Lodge died on 29 Sep 1919 in Prestwich, and his will benefited his wife and sons John Edmond A.Kelsall, Noel and Ivan.

Children of John E.A. Kelsall snr. and Mary Stubbs

• 1. Eliza Ann Kelsall, born: 1865 in Newcastle, Staffordshire, England

  2. Marion Kelsall, born: 08 Feb 1867 in Moreton St, Manchester, England and Jasmine A Kelsall born: 1869 in Prestwich, Lancashire, England do not appear on the 1881 census.

  3. John Edmond Ambrose Kelsall, jnr. born: 10 Dec 1868, Greengate farm, Prestwich, Lancashire, England and married Laura Sarah Beeching in 1888. Shortly after there was a business partnership established as Kelsall Brothers & Beeching Ltd.

     1. At age 64 years John E A junior married Lily Kathleen Moss aged 33 and three children born of the union, - William, Richard and Ruth. John died less than 6 years after and bequeathed his widow generously. Lily never remarried and died in 1986. 

  4. Edmund Kelsall, born: 1869 in Prestwich, Lancashire, England.

  5. Constance Elizabeth Kelsall, born: 13 Dec.1870 in Greengate farm, Prestwich, Lancashire,

  6. Clare Jane Kelsall, born: 1872 in Prestwich, Lancashire, England.

  7. Henry "Harry" Kelsall, born: 1873 in Prestwich, Lancashire, England. died: 1912

  8. Reginald Stanley Kelsall and Sidney were twins born in 1875, Prestwich, Lancashire, England and baptised 14 Feb 1875 at St. Mary the Virgin, Prestwich, Lancashire, England. 

     1. In the closing years of the nineteenth century.Reginald and his twin Sidney had become 'too hot to stay' in England and so were sent into exile abroad; Reginald emigrated to New Zealand on North Island. 

  9. Sidney (Sydney) Garnet Kelsall moved to Wisconsin USA and appears to have married a widow, who died prior to 1935. Sidney also met Abe Weinstein, supplying him with whiske and tobacco. His Will states that his wife had pre-deceased him and that there were no children to that marriage. Sid died on December 10th, 1951 at 133 John Avenue, Superior, Douglas, Wisconsin.

  10. Percival Kelsal about 1877

  11. Florence Mary Kelsall born about 1879

  12. Baptism: 3 Sep 1879, St Mary the Virgin, Prestwich, Lancashire, England; Baptised by: J. H. Street Curate Register: Baptisms 1864 - 1891, Page 306, Entry 2442;  Source: LDS Film 2356183

Mary Stubbs died about 1888 and in 1890, John Edmond Ambrose Kelsall married a second time, Florence Gertrude Bennet about 21 years of age (b.1869), born in Manchester, Lancashire, England.  

Children of John E.A Kelsall snr. and Florence Bennett

1. Noel Kelsall, born: 1890 in Prestwich, Lancashire, England, died: 1934. He married Edith May Holiday.

2. Ivel Kelsall, born: Abt. 1890 in Prestwich, Lancashire, England. 92 in Prestwich, Lancashire, England, died: Mar 1919 in river Conway at Bettsy Coed.

3. Geoffrey Kelsall, born: Mar. 1893, died: 1919