Harry Colley

Harry Colley c1907

My Great Grandfather, Harry Colley was born in December 1877, in Walkley, Sheffield. He was the fifth of nine children born to William and Eliza Colley (nee Ratcliff of Birmingham, Warwickshire). And, like his father before him, he was an Edge Tool Grinder.

His mother died when he was nine years old

In December 1899 he married Edith Annie Armitage (b. Sept 20, 1877), the youngest of four daughters born to John and Jane Armitage of Sheffield.

Edith Annie Colley circa 1930

They had five children, Harry (b. Nov 1900-Sept 1901), Sydney (b. Dec 1901), Percy (b. Jan 1904), Harry (b. Oct 1906) and Gertrude (b. Jun qtr 1912).

Harry with children circa 1907

According to the 1901 census, Harry, Edith, and Harry jnr  were living at 53 Ball Street, Sheffield with Harry's’ elder brother John, who never married, lodging with them.

1901 was a mixed year for the family, son Harry died in September but  December saw the birth of  Sydney (my Grandfather). January 1904 heralded the birth of another son, Percy.

By 1905 the family had moved to 25 Warwick Street, Walkley,  where, in October 1906, another son, once again called Harry, was born.

Six years later, in the Jun qtr of 1912, daughter Gertrude arrived. Sometime after 1925, widow Edith moved the family to 52 Eldon Street, Sheffield.