Genealogy - Kathy's Family Tree

The Family of Oswald & Jane Ellen White

Young John & Len White
John Henry White and Leonard White		 Leonard White

My father was the younger son of Jane Ellen (Eleanor) and Oswald Henry White.

Both parents and the two boys were born in Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, but part of their ancestry lies at the other end of the country in the southern counties of England, with ancestors in Dorset, Devon and the Isle of Wight.

This photo shows my Uncle John and my dad, Len.  They are standing on the steps of Homelyn House in Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, which was where their Grandfather lived at the time.

Grandparents

The parents of John and Leonard White were:
Oswald Henry White Jane Eleanor Armstrong (Jane Ellen)
Born: 27 Mar 1906
Cresswell, Northumberland
Christened:  
Parents:
Henry Joseph White and Elizabeth Blanche (nee Grigg)
Siblings:
Leonard Arthur White    (born c1894)
Harold William White     (1900 - c1959)
Gertrude White             (c1901 - 1963)
Muriel Nancy White       (born 1903)
Jack Kenway White       (1907 - 1971)
Occupation: included; Insurance Agent, Coal Miner, Sailor (RN)
Died: 14 Apr 1986
Buried: 19 Apr 1986 
St. Bartholomew's Church, Newbiggin 		Born: 21 Jan 1904 
Marine Terrace, Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland
Christened: 
Parents:
John Armstrong and Jane Isabella (nee Dawson)
Siblings:
William John Armstrong (1897 - 1905)
Edward Armstrong (1906 - 1972)
William John Armstrong (born 1910)
Occupation:   
Died: 19 Apr 1961
Buried:  Apr 1961
St. Bartholomew's Church, Newbiggin

Marriage details:
Date: 4 Nov 1926
Place: Register Office, Morpeth, Northumberland
Children:  
John Henry White
Leonard White

 

Oswald White and Jane Ellen Armstrong

At the time of their marriage in November 1926 Paddy was a coal miner.  He worked as an insurance agent for a while and then joined the Royal Navy before returning to mining.  

Although suffering from the colour blindness that runs in our family Grandad was assigned to "Signals" at the start of his spell with the RN.  He was told "We'll tell you if you're colour blind, Laddy" when he mentioned this to his superiors - however it didn't take them long to decide that Signals was not the best place for him and he spent the rest of the time in the engine room. 		Paddy & Jane Eleanor White
Jane Eleanor and Oswald Henry White

 

Jack and Ossie White
Jack Kenway White
(1907 - 1971)
Oswald Henry White (1906 - 1986)		 Oswald Henry White

I can't remember ever hearing my Grandad called anything other than Paddy - I was grown up before I found out that his name was actually Oswald.

Oswald Henry White was born in Cresswell in March 1906, the fifth child of Elizabeth (nee Grigg) and Henry, who was the Coastguard in Cresswell at the time.  The photo shows him (right) with his younger brother Jack (born 1907) as Choirboys, it's not dated but to me Grandad looks about 11 or 12.

It was his death in April 1986 that first started me thinking about looking into my family history.  He is buried in the Churchyard of St. Bartholomew's, Newbiggin.

 

Jane Eleanor White, nee Armstrong
Jane Eleanor White
(nee Armstrong)
1904 - 1961)

 Jane Ellen Armstrong

My paternal Grandmother was Jane Eleanor Armstrong.   Born in Newbiggin in 1904, she was the only daughter of Jane Isabella (nee Dawson) and John Armstrong.

Jane Ellen, as she was known, married Oswald White and had two sons, John and Leonard. She died in 1961 and is buried in St. Bartholomew's Churchyard, Newbiggin.  

Family Tree | Children | His Parents | Her Parents

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