Original Renshaw

Original Renshaw was born on the first of March 1875 in Masbrough, Rotherham, Yorkshire, and he was baptised on the 11th of April 1875 at Rotherham All Saints Church, which is now Rotherham Minster. He was the eldest son of Albert Renshaw and Sarah Maria nee' Bagnall. His father, Albert Renshaw, was born about 1853 in Elsecar, near Rotherham. Albert was the son of Samuel and Eliza Renshaw. Original's mother, Sarah Maria, was born in May 1857 in Masbrough, Rotherham, and she was baptised on the 26th March 1869 at St Johns Church, Masbrough. She was the daughter of Samuel and Sarah Maria Bagnall. This Bagnall family line can be traced back to the early 18th century.

Although he was often recorded as Reginald Renshaw, he is named as "Original Renshaw" in the General Register Office birth indexes, and on his baptism record, which would suggest that his forename “Original” is correct, and was the name chosen by his parents.

In 1881, six year old Original was living with his parents Albert and Sarah Maria, and his three sisters, Emma Maria aged 4, Agnes aged 3, and Margaret aged 9 months.

The family had left Masbrough, Rotherham, about 1879 and were now living at number 60 Westwood Row, Tankersley, Chapeltown, Yorkshire, where Original's sister Margaret had been born in 1880.

By 1891, Original Renshaw, now a Coal miner Lamp Boy aged 16, was still living with his parents Albert and Sarah Maria, and 4 siblings; Agnes aged 12, Alice aged 9, Hannah aged 4, and Leonard aged 2. The family are now living at 24 Kitroyd, Jump, Yorkshire. Sister Emma Maria is not recorded with the family in 1891, as she is staying with her widowed grandmother Sarah Maria Bagnall at number 6 King Street, Rotherham. Original's Sister Margaret had sadly died in 1884 in Rotherham.

Original was married in 1896 in Rotherham to Flora Agnes Davies, who was the daughter of Rowland and Martha Davies of Rotherham. Original and Flora Agnes, had a daughter named Agnes May Renshaw who was born in 1897 in Rotherham. Sadly Agnes May died in 1898 at the age of one year.

In the 1901 census, Original's wife Flora Agnes is with her parents at 57 Brown Street, Rotherham, and Original is not with the family. After much searching through the 1901 census records, a Reginald Renshaw with the correct age of 26, was eventually located working as a Railway Labourer at South Elmsall, Yorkshire.

In 1911, for the first time in census returns, Original is recorded with his correct forename. He is aged 36 with his wife Flora Agnes aged 34. They have been married for 14 years and 1 child has been born who has died. Details of their deceased child Agnes May are recorded on the census return but have been crossed out. The family were living at 20 Garden Street, Mexborough, Rotherham.

At some time after 1911, Original and Flora Agnes must have moved home once again, this time to live in the Maltby area of Rotherham. It seems that Original had found work as a Road Layer at the local Coal Mine.

The family can be found in 1921 living at number 52 Southy Road, Maltby. Original is aged 46 years and 3 months, and he is a Coal Miner working at Maltby Main Colliery. Wife Flora Agnes is recorded as a Housewife aged 44 years and 9 months. Adopted son Ernest Green is aged 9 years and 6 months. Also living with the family are Boarders Ralph Brown, and Michael Biggins. Both men are Miners working at Maltby Main Colliery.