Manchester Days

Mrs Pankhurst's paternal ancestors hailed from industrial Manchester. Her grandfather (Richard Goulden) was a fustian cutter (fustian was a cotton-based fabric) while her father (Robert) began his working life as an errand boy. Robert Goulden was baptised at Manchester Cathedral on 7 March 1830, one of no fewer than 66 children to be baptised in the parish on that day.

Baptism of Robert Goulden in Manchester Cathedral parish register.
Society of Genealogists (SOG) ref: Mf 2934.

From these humble origins, Robert went on to firstly manage, and then own, a large calico printing works on the outskirts of Salford. The change in Robert's circumstances is well illustrated by the returns for successive census years. In 1861, Robert was listed as a 'Cashier' but by 1871 he was a 'Calico Printer'. In the 1881 census (not shown here) Robert was described as a 'Calico Printer employing 254 Hands' (The National Archives ref: RG 11/3943 folio 29 page 15).

1861 & 1871 Census Returns for Seedley Cottage, Pendleton.
The National Archives references : (1861) RG 9/2901 folio 64 page 24 and (1871) RG 10/4012 folio 39 page 4

Between 1854 and 1874, Robert & Sophia Jane Goulden had ten children, all born in the Manchester area. The eldest daughter, Emmeline (the future Mrs Pankhurst), was born at the family home in Sloan Street, Moss Side on 15 July 1858.

Birth certificate of Emmeline Goulden
General Register Office (GRO) ref: 1858 DEC - Chorlton 8c 529

There is a mystery surrounding this certificate: first of all, the birth was registered late - well after the six week period allowed by law. Secondly the date of birth is at odds with the date traditionally recorded as Mrs Pankhurst's birthday (14 July 1858). Did her mother make a mistake when she registered the birth? Or have people been commemorating the wrong date all these years?

Richard Marsden Pankhurst was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire in 1834. He attended Manchester Grammar school and the University of London and was called to the Bar in 1867. He became closely involved in a variety of radical causes and was particularly interested in Women's Suffrage.

Despite their age difference (Richard was 24 years older) Emmeline was instantly attracted to him and, following a whirlwind romance, they were married at Eccles parish church on 18 December 1879.

Marriage certificate of Richard Pankhurst & Emmeline Goulden
GRO ref: 1879 DEC - Salford 8d 154

Richard & Emmeline's first child (Christabel Harriette) was born the following year and in 1881 the Pankhurst family were living in Stretford.

1881 Census of Chester Road, Stretford
The National Archives ref: RG 11/3887 folio 84 page 1

Four more children were born over the next eight years; Estelle Sylvia (1882), Francis Henry (1884 - died 1888), Adela Constantia (1885) and Henry Francis (1889).