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I think both records refer to her -- the first record refers to the later conviction and gives the number of the second record. She just looked a little shorter and younger. ;)

Her family and neighbourhood/community were likely what we would refer to today as "disorganized". Poverty, probably alcoholism, and physical violence not uncommon.

How lucky you are to have received such a prompt and detailed response!

She was the first one of the two. The 1901 census was taken on 31st March 1901 and she was sentenced to 7 days.

for everyones information i recieved a reply from wakefield prison
Dear Maureen,

Thank you for your enquiry. We do hold records for Wakefield prison for 1901 so I checked the register of female prisoners for August 1900 - September 1901 (reference C118/239) and found the following information:

No.433 Melody, Mary; convicted 28 March 1901 at York City Petty Sessions for assaulting Annie Melody; sentenced to 7 days labour or 11s 7d; education - imperfect; age 25; height 5' 2"; hair - dark brown; trade - laundress; religion - RC; born - York; no previous convictions; discharged 3 April 1901; later conviction no. 1350/1901.

No.1350 Melody, Mary; convicted 9 September 1901 at York City for assaulting Elizabeth Mercier; sentenced to 1 calendar month hard labour; education R&W; age 24; height 4' 11.5"; hair - brown; trade - laundress; religion - RC; born - York; discharged 8 October 1901; no later convictions recorded.

I hope this is of some interest to you. Please do not hesitate to get back in touch if you have any further questions.

Yours sincerely,


Catherine Taylor
Senior Archivist

West Yorkshire Archive Service, Wakefield
Registry of Deeds
Newstead Road
Wakefield
WF1 2DE

t: +44 (0)1924 305980
f: +44 (0)1924 305983
w: http://www.archives.wyjs.org.uk

**************************************************************

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wonder which 1 she was .. xx

Oh, just for the record -- in the 1881, Ancestry has her as Mary Malody, and that is actually what is written as Ann's surname, with Mary a "ditto". It shows her as a Cocoa Packer. The "Grocer" is written beside it for coding -- it's the general category she was counted in for aggregate census data.

For the 1911, I've tried various surname spellings for Francis and Frank, to no avail. I'm not familiar with Yorkshire geography; might he have been in a part that is not yet on line?

http://www.1911census.co.uk/content/default.aspx?r=24&106

A sad but interesting tale indeed.

I just wanted to add: remember that young working-class women were vulnerable in those days, even more than now. Having a child while single did not always mean a reckless lifestyle. It could have meant sexual assault or coercion. Possibly inside the prison itself.

My gr-grmother had a child when she was working as a housemaid in 1890, and we understand that the "father" was the head of household or his son. There was no further contact with the household when the child was born. Exploitation, rather than star-crossed love, is the more likely scenario there.

Mary was likely jailed for some petty offence, one of which she may not even have been guilty, or if she was it may have been a result of economic circumstances.


It's the same the whole world over,
It's the poor what gets the blame,
It's the rich what gets the pleasure,
Isn't it a blooming shame?

"She was poor but she was honest"

http://ingeb.org/songs/shewaspo.html

Just cleaning out my notes. I think this is Michael and Ann in 1851 - note the ages aren't compatible with any other census - why break the pattern:

1851 England Census
Civil Parish: York St Margaret
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street address: Walmgate
Registration district: York
Sub registration district: Walmgate
ED, institution, or vessel: 9b
Household schedule number: 22

John Meers 35 Mayo, Ireland Head M Labourer
Ann Meers 35 Mayo, Ireland Wife M Labouring Woman
Michael Meers 9 Mayo, Ireland Son Scholar
Thomas Meers 7 Mayo, Ireland Son Scholar
John Meers 10Mo York, Yorkshire, England Son
Margaret Harrison 28 Mayo, Ireland Niece U House Servant
Anthony Fox 32 Mayo, Ireland Lodger W Labourer
Thomas Moran 30 Mayo, Ireland Lodger W Labourer
Michael Crean 30 Mayo, Ireland Lodger U Labourer
Thomas Crean 37 Mayo, Ireland Lodger U Labourer
James Quelin 22 Lipperay, Ireland Lodger U Labourer
Michael Melxby [Melody] 24 Mayo, Ireland Lodger M Labourer
Ann Melxby [Melody] 23 Sligo, Ireland Lodger M Labourer
Babby Roach 27 Mayo, Ireland Lodger U Servant
Mary Roach 24 Mayo, Ireland Lodger U Servant

Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece: 2355; Folio: 407; Page: 9; GSU roll: 87620-87621.


Now for their kids: I've posted John, can't find Michael, nor Ann in 1901.

I think this is James:

Deaths Sep 1889 (>99%)
Mellody James 27 York 9d 38



1891 England Census
Civil Parish: St George
Ecclesiastical parish: St Dennis and St George
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street address: Margaret Place in Yard
Registration district: York
Sub registration district: Walmgate
ED, institution, or vessel: 15

Patrick Mellody 23 Yorkshire, England Head M Labourer
Magaret Mellody 22 Yorkshire, England Wife M
Margaret A Mellody 4 Yorkshire, England Daughter
Michael Mellody 2 Yorkshire, England Son
Mary Mellody 8/12 Yorkshire, England Daughter

Source Citation: Class: RG12; Piece: 3893; Folio 9; Page 12; GSU roll: 6099003.


1901 England Census
Civil Parish: York
Ecclesiastical parish: St Dennis and St George
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street address: 11 Margaret Place
Registration district: York
Sub registration district: Walmgate
ED, institution, or vessel: 16
Household schedule number: 68

Patrick Melody 33 York, Yorkshire, England Head M Corporation Labourer
Maraget Melody 32 York, Yorkshire, England Wife M
John Melody 17 York, Yorkshire, England Son S Bricklayer
Margaret Melody 14 York, Yorkshire, England Daughter S Confectioner Chocolate Coverer
Michael Melody 12 York, Yorkshire, England Son
James Melody 6 York, Yorkshire, England Son

Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 4446; Folio: 137; Page: 11.






No idea where Martin is in 1881 (nor 1871, come to that)

1881 England Census
Civil Parish: Headingley Cum Burley
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street address: 14 Greystone St
Registration district: Leeds
Sub registration district: Kirkstall
ED, institution, or vessel: 7

Elizabeth Mellody 27 Carlisle, Cumberland, England Head
Ann Mellody 8 Leeds, Yorkshire, England Daughter Scholar
Harriet Mellody 7 Leeds, Yorkshire, England Daughter Scholar
Mary E. Mellody 1 Leeds, Yorkshire, England Daughter

Source Citation: Class: RG11; Piece: 4539; Folio: 9; Page: 12; Line: ; GSU roll: 1342092.



1891 England Census
Civil Parish: St Dennis
Ecclesiastical parish: St Dennis and St George
Town: York
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street address: 5 Rectory Buildings Picadilly
Registration district: York
Sub registration district: Walmgate
ED, institution, or vessel: 14

Martin Melody 38 Yorkshire, England Head M General Labourer
Annie Melody 18 Leeds, Yorkshire, England Daughter
Kate Melody 4 Yorkshire, England Daughter Scholar

Source Citation: Class: RG12; Piece: 3892; Folio 130; Page 26; GSU roll: 6099002.



1901 England Census
Civil Parish: York
Ecclesiastical parish: St Dennis and St George
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street address: 18 Richard St
Registration district: York
Sub registration district: Walmgate
ED, institution, or vessel: 16
Household schedule number: 21

Charles Marshall 29 York, Yorkshire, England Head M House Painter
Betsy Marshall 38 Marsden, Yorkshire, England Wife M
Mary A Slater 70 North Dalton, Yorkshire, England Mother-in-law W
Kitty Melody 14 York, Yorkshire, England Boarder S Chocolate Packer

Street address: 19 Richard St
Household schedule number: 23

Martin Melody 48 York, Yorkshire, England M Corporation Labourer

Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 4446; Folio: 133; Page: 4.

hi, if you email the Gateshead records office at [email protected] they will be able to tell you if the records still exist. The children were moved from the workhouse in 1902 when the childrens cottage homes were built. No workhouse records survive but I believe some records exist for the cottage homes. Gateshead hold the records for Newcastle,
hope this helps

Susan

wow what a lot of information i can take with me on my next visit .thanks for all contributions every 1

kind regards maureenx

Seems like a bunch of Melodys from Ireland settled in York - extended family - Ive also seen a Melledy from Ireland.

I don't think John h/o Bridget is her bro. I think this is her bro:


1891 England Census
Civil Parish: St Helens On The Walls
Ecclesiastical parish: St Cuthberts
Town: York
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street address: 59 Aldwark
egistration district: York
Sub registration district: Walmgate
ED, institution, or vessel: 10

John Mellody 36 York, Yorkshire, England Head M General Labourer
Margaret Mellody 28 York, Yorkshire, England Wife M
James Mellody 6 York, Yorkshire, England Son Scholar
Micheal Mellody 4 York, Yorkshire, England Son Scholar

Source Citation: Class: RG12; Piece: 3892; Folio 54; Page 7; GSU roll: 6099002.



1901 England Census
Civil Parish: York
Ecclesiastical parish: St Maurice
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street address: 8 Plows Yard, St Maurices Rd
Registration district: York
Sub registration district: Walmgate
ED, institution, or vessel: 6
Household schedule number: 159

John Mellody 45 York, Yorkshire, England Head M Bricklayers Labourer
James Mellody 19 York, Yorkshire, England Son S General Labourer
Michael Mellody 15 York, Yorkshire, England Son S General Labourer
Catherine Mellody 6 York, Yorkshire, England Daughter

Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 4445; Folio: 117; Page: 26.


Odd that Margaret is missing in 1901 - note John is Mar, not Wid. One wonders if she's with her sis-in-law:


1901 England Census
Civil Parish: Wakefield
Ecclesiastical parish: All Saints
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street address:
Registration district: Wakefield
Sub registration district: Wakefield
ED, institution, or vessel: His Majestys Prison
Household schedule number: 1

Lots of prisoners including:
Margaret Melody 36 York, Yorkshire, England Prisoner M ordinary agricultural labourer or field worker
Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 4286; Folio: 161; Page: 4.
Mary Melody 25 York, Yorkshire, England Prisoner S Laundress
Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 4286; Folio: 162; Page: 6.

Ah, Francis in 1901, being fostered: name incorrectly entered. The other child is also being fostered. 1 Benton Row, Hope Street, York

Name: Frances Mellody
Age: 2
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1899
Relation: Misse Child (actually says Nurse Child)
Gender: Male
Where born: Yorkshire, England

Civil Parish: York
Ecclesiastical parish: St Dennis and St George
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England




Registration district: York
Sub registration district: Walmgate
ED, institution, or vessel: 17
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 120
Household Members:
Name Age
Mary Saddler 61
Mary Close 20
Annie Kelly 10
Frances Mellody 2

Only just caught up with this. Oh dear, poor old Mary in prison with the baby. I guess you could try the court records at York archives/records office to find out what she did?

Has anyone found the baby in 1901?

This lot in the 1901 must surely be related in some way - right place: Head John is from Ireland - looks like her bro on the 1881

Name: Patrick Melody
Age: 9
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1892
Relation: Son
Father's Name: John
Mother's Name: Bridget
Gender: Male
Where born: Yorkshire, England

Civil Parish: York
Ecclesiastical parish: St Lawrence
County/Island: Yorkshire





Registration district: York
Sub registration district: Walmgate
ED, institution, or vessel: 27
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 187
Household Members:
Name Age
John Melody 40
Bridget Melody 39
Annie Melody 14
Mary J Melody 12
Patrick Melody 9
Alice Melody 7
John Melody 5
James J Melody 3

The parents ages in 1881 are definitely written as 88 and 80 on the original, but the same parents and 4 children in 1871 are aged 50 and 40, and in 1861 they are 36 and 30, with two other children Martin 9 and Michael 2.

Margaret

HOUSEHOLD MELODY MARY F 1872 39 Bolton Lancashire

from the 1911
person search page ?

wow,thank you so much people .lots of information here to show my aunty . all efforts very much appreciated
kind regards
maureen

I wouldn't worry about the different spelling in 1881.

This could be her birth reg.

Births Dec 1874 (>99%)
Melody Mary York 9d 33

Christine

yes i saw that 1 think cesus has her as 18 there and on 1901 (which is definatly her) has her as 25 ...could it be same person ?

If that is the right family in 1881, this is probably Mary in 1891, living with sister Ann:

Name MARY MELODY
Age 18
Estimated Year of Birth 1873
Relationship to Head of Household SISTER
Occupation CORN PORTER - image looks more like Cocoa maker and Grocer has been written beside it
Address 16 St Margaret Terrace
District Walmgate, York
Parish
Administrative County Yorkshire
Birth Place --
Birth County YORKSHIRE

oh dear how sad child at 23 prison at 25 then dead by 27 ...birth certificate melody spelt with only 1 l..but district is correct area walmgate. so maybe

This could be Mary in 1881, age matches 1901.



Michael MELLODY Head M Male 88 Ireland Ag Labourer
Ann MELLODY Wife M Female 80 Ireland
John MELLODY Son U Male 25 York, York, England Ag Labourer
James MELLODY Son U Male 18 York, York, England Ag Labourer
Patrick MELLODY Son U Female 16 York, York, England Ag Labourer
Ann MELLODY Daur Female 12 York, York, England Scholar
<<<<< Mary MELLODY Daur Female 6 York, York, England Scholar


Source Information:
Dwelling 2 Johnsons Buildings
Census Place York St Margaret Walmgate, York, England
Family History Library Film 1342142
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 4724 / 128
Page Number 30

It appears that the parents ages have been transcribed wrong or all the children are grandchildren of Michael and Ann.

I can't look at the original image as my sub has run out with Ancestry.

Christine