Mary Helen Murphy (1860 - 1909)

Born 11 Dec 1860 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England

Ancestors

Wife of Michael Gore — married 22 Dec 1882 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Wife of Thomas Wilson Walker — married 27 May 1893 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Wife of John Hannah — married 25 Jul 1903 in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington, United States

Descendants

Died 8 Dec 1909 at age 48 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile managers: B Winter [send private message] and Cooper Lord [send private message]

Biography

Mary was born December 11, 1860. Mary Murphy ... ^[1]

Mary Helen was born in Liverpool, England. Some of her documents list her second name as 'Ellen', some as 'Helen'. As her mother's name was Helen, I have chosen 'Helen' as the most likely intended middle name.

In the 1861 Census her parents, Michael, age 36 and Helen Murphy, age 42 were living with their children at 270 Great Howard Street, Liverpool above the North Star pub. Michael was a Licensed Victualler, the manager of the North Star. Michael had been born in Ireland and Helen in Lancashire. Their sons, John M., age 5, Thomas P, age 3 and daughter Mary H., 4 months had been born in Liverpool, Lancashire. Also living with them were Michael’s unmarried brother Patrick Murphy, age 25, a Barman born in Ireland and Margaret NWaterson (?), age 18, a General Servant, also born in Liverpool.^[2].

Michael Gore and Mary Helen Murphy married on 22 Dec 1882, in a Catholic service in Liverpool. Michael was living at 67 Robson St, and Mary Helen was living at 14 Edith Road, her father being Michael Murphy. Witnesses were Patrick Sullivan of 72 Lowson St and Margaret Skillicorn of 16 Edith Road. Margaret Skillicorn was her sister. ^[3].

In 1871 Michael, 46 and Helen, 51 were living in St. Aidan, Liverpool, Municipal Ward of Scotland, Liverpool. Michael is a publican. Their children are John Michael, 15, an 'Aprintice' (Apprentice), Thomas Patrick, 13; Margaret Mary, 11 and Mary Ellen, 10 all in school. Michael Sr was born in Ireland, Helen in Lancashire and the children in Liverpool. Also living with them was Patrick Murphy, 33, a Barman born in Ireland. He is listed as Michael and Helen's son, but at age 33, this is unlikely. The word 'Son' is in different handwriting (the S) and lighter in colour, likely a later addition. Perhaps the older Patrick was Michael's brother? Anne Waterson, 25, is still living with the family^[4].

In the 1891 England Census for South Everton, Lancashire, the two sisters are living at 84 Creswell St. Margaret Skillicorn, age 31, is a the head of the household, a widow and a Manageress of a Public House. Her son Walter, age 9, is in school. Mary E. Gore, Margaret’s sister, a widow, age 38, is a Stewardess, that is a Steward of the Public House. Mary’s son Michael, age 8 is also in school. Elizabeth Clay, age 15, single, is a General Servant. Margaret Mary’s daughter May is not listed in this census entry, and has not been found. She would have been 7 years of age^[5].

Mary Helen Murphy had three husbands. She had a son, Michael with Michael Gore who died in England. Her second husband, Thomas Wilson Walker considered Michael as a son, and several of Michael's documents list Walker as his father. She had a daughter, Constance Margaret with Thomas Walker. After Thomas' death she married John Hannah a.k.a. Hanna^[6].

Mary Helen immigrated to Vancouver and married Thomas Wilson Walker^[7] who was an engineer on the Empress of India. They lived at 816 Hornby St., Vancouver, BC, Canada when she was married on Nov 27, 1893. ^[8]. Thomas Wilson Walker and Mary Helen Gore were married by license on 27 May 1895 by J.M. Fayard, O.M.I.. Thomas was 35, born in Liverpool, a Presbyterian bachelor, living on the H.M.S. Empress of India as a steward. His parents were James and Margaret. Mary Helen was 33, born in Liverpool, living at 816 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC, a Roman Catholic widow. Her parents are given as Michael and Helen Murphy. She was living with her sister Margaret Mary at 816 Hornby St, Vancouver who witnessed the marriage. The other witness was James McGown or 1040 Alberni St, Vancouver^[9].

Their daughter Constance Margaret Walker died when she was 15 years 6 months old^[10], and her niece, Constance Margaret Jervis was named after her.

On 24 July 1903 Mary Helen married John Hannah in Tacoma, Washington State, USA^[11]. The marriage was done by authority of a license issued on 24 July, 1903. Both were resident of Pierce County. Witnesses were Robert W Barclay and J. Marnston, and the officiant was C. C. Griffin. This confirms an oral tradition remembered by her great granddaughter^[12].

Mary Helen died of cancer on 8 Dec 1909 in Vancouver, at just 48 years of age^[13]. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery beside (to the left) of her son, Michael Gore Walker^[14]. Her last spouse John Hannah survived her and is buried with her.

Sources

1. ↑ Census of Canada, 1901
2. ↑ 1861 Census for England, Liverpool, Lancashire, Eccles Dist. St Aiden's, sched. 7
3. ↑ Liverpool, England, Catholic Marriages, 1754-1933, No. 391 Gore Murphy
4. ↑ 1871 England Census, The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1871 England Census; Class: RG10; Piece: 3764; Folio: 91; Page: 1; GSU roll: 841881
5. ↑ The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891; Class: RG12; Piece: 2947; Folio: 45; Page: 22; GSU roll: 6098057
6. ↑ Canada Census 1901.
7. ↑ British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935, Reg. No: 1893-09-044334, BCA No: B11372, GSU No: 1983529
8. ↑ Marriage Certificate Film B11372, record 1893-09-044334
9. ↑ Canada, British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDZ6-JYT : 22 February 2021), Thomas Wilson Walker and Mary Helen Gore, 27 May 1893; citing , British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11372, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,529, Reg 93-09-044334
10. ↑ British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLKM-RXV : 8 November 2017), Constance Margaret Walker, 1912
11. ↑ Washington, U.S. County Marriages, 1855-2008 for Mary H. Walker, Vol. 3A, No. 1654
12. ↑ pers. comm S. Walker to B. Winter, 9 Jan 2022
13. ↑ BC Archives 1909-09-126309, BC Archives Mfilm No. B13097, GSU Mfilm No. 927125
14. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26281213/mary-helen-hanna, PLOT HORNE1-4-0-003-0003 - No Visible Marker MEMORIAL ID. 26281213