The Origins of the Braithwaite Family on the Fylde Coast.

Almost all Braithwaites on the Fylde Coast can trace their ancestry back to one man, John Braithwaite (born c1690) who lived in the village of Braithwaite, near Keswick, Cumberland (now Cumbria). He left the village in 1711 to take up a position as farm bailiff at Rossall Hall, near modern Fleetwood; this is now Rossall School.

He later left employment at Rossall Hall to begin farming at Marton. By the time of his death, Blackpool was in the earliest stages of transformation from a handful of cottages into a health resort.

His descendants lived through the rapid development of Blackpool through the Victorian era. Whilst many remained in farming and market gardening, some Braithwaites opened businesses becoming builders, publicans, hoteliers & shopkeepers.

My connection to the Braithwaite family

My interest in the Braithwaite family comes from my great grandmother, Hannah Braithwaite (1893-1964), youngest daughter of Ralph Braithwaite (1849-1906); he was landlord of the Shovels Inn at Marton, Blackpool.

Hannah married George Hobson, a market gardener, and they lived at Moscow Cottage, School Lane, Marton.

My grandmother, Elizabeth, was born there in 1914. She remembered the Hobson & Braithwaite families in the 1910s, 1920s & 30s, the Moss School, the Shovels Inn and dancing in the large barn on Common Edge.

There was a rift in the Braithwaite family brought about by the will of Ralph Braithwaite (1849-1906) which caused some resentment. This, combined with deaths, two World Wars and the decline in farming at Marton, meant that the family became ever more distant. These generations have passed away now but their descendents are now scattered as far afield as the USA and Australia.

Unidentified Braithwaite & Hobson Family Photographs.

These photos relate to either the Braithwaite or Hobson families of Blackpool. I don't know their identities.

e)  Braithwaite family carte de visite size photo c1900. Thought to be a son of Ralph Braithwaite.

f) Braithwaite or Hobson family Postcard photo c1915

g) Braithwaite or Hobson family Postcard photo from the early 1900s

h )Braithwaite or Hobson family Postcard photo from the early 1900s

i) Braithwaite or Hobson family Postcard photo from the early 1900s

j) Braithwaite or Hobson family snapshot photo c1918

k) Braithwaite or Hobson family Postcard c1915

l) Braithwaite or Hobson family Postcard photo c1915. A soldier with a Royal Artillery cap badge; the photo was taken by S.J.Allen, Pembroke Dock & Haverfordwest.