1851 Census

By the 1851 Census William Oliver Edney is living at 9 White Street, Bethnal Green, Tower Hamlets. His father William Edney (28) is a Musician, born Preston, Lancs. Mother Eliza Edney (29) born (unreadable), Middlesex; William O. Edney (9), born Spitalfields, and his sister Elizabeth A’ Edney (5), born Spitalfields, Middlx.

1861 Census

William has moved on by the 1861 Census. Living at 53 Holloway Bank, West Bromwich, Staffs. are John Cooper (44) Puddler in Forge, born Sedgley, Staffs.; Maria Cooper (45) Wife, born Red Hill, Shropshire; William Cooper (20) Puddler in Forge, born West Bromwich, Staffs. (as were all the following children); Thomas Cooper (17) Puddler in Forge; Rachel Cooper (15) – soon to be William Edney’s wife; John Cooper (12); Joseph Cooper (9); Charles Cooper (6); Edwin Cooper (4); and James Cooper (2), none of whom have a recorded occupation. Wm. Oliver Edney (18) is a Lodger. His occupation is Fireman (which would be called Stoker today), born Spitalfields, London.

1871 Census

Later in the decade the new family moved to Barrow. In the 1871 Census William Edney (29) Engine Tender, born Spitalfields, London, and his wife Rachael (sic) Edney (25) born Wednesbury, Staffs., are living at 42 Fenton Street, Barrow. The children are Ann M. Edney (8) born West Bromwich, Staffs.; Eliza J. Edney (6) born West Bromwich, Staffs.; and William J. Edney (2), born Barrow, Lancs.
 
Cumbria BMD has a fuller list of Edney children born in Barrow:

• 1868 William James Edney m Mary E. McMillan 1890 @ St James’, Barrow
• 1876 Beatrice Louise Edney m Leonard C. Singleton 1895 @ St Peter, Ireleth
• 1878 Rachel Selina Edney
• 1880 Charles Thomas Edney m Hannah Jackson 1905 @ St James’, Barrow
• 1882 Alice Emmeline Edney d 1882
• 1882 Maud Janetta Edney (twins?)
• 1884 George Henry Edney m Josephine Kelly 1914 @ St James’, Barrow.
• 1888 Albert W. Edney m Elizabeth Stevenson 1911. Registrar attended.
• 1890 Fred Oliver Edney

1881 Census

The 1881 Census sees them at 45 Back Hartington Street, Barrow (which later became Wordsworth Street). William Edney (40) Engine Driver, born Spitalfields, London, shares the house with wife Rachel (sic) Edney (35) born Staffordshire; and children Annie M. Edney (19) Operative, Jute Mill, born Staffordshire; Eliza J. Edney (16) Weaver, Jute Mill, born Barrow, Lancs. (as were the rest of the children); William Edney (12) Scholar; Martha M. Edney (9) Scholar; Elizabeth L. Edney (7) Scholar; Laura B.? Edney (5) Scholar; Selina R. Edney (2) and Charles T. Edney (6 months).

1891 Census

In the 1891 Census they were still living at 45 Back Hartington Street. The Head of the household was William O. Edney (49), Engine Driver, born London, Middlesex; his wife was Rachel Edney (44), born Wednesbury, Staffs; and the children were Martha M. Edney (20), Dressmaker; Lilian E. Edney (17), Jute Weaver; Louisa B. Edney (14), Jute Weaver; Selina K. Edney (12), Scholar; Charles T. Edney (10), Scholar; Maud G. Edney (8), Scholar; George H. Edney (6), Alfred (should be Albert) W. Edney (3) and Fred O. Edney (6 months). All the children were born In Barrow.

Albert Wilfred Edney died in the Barrow Blitz of 14 April 1941. Read more.

1901 Census

Similarly, in the 1901 Census they are still at 45 Back Hartington Street.  William (59) is an Engine Driver; Rachel (56) has no recorded occupation; Liliey (sic) (26) is a weaver in Flax Mill; Charles (20) is a Ship Caulker; George H. (16) is a Ship Caulker; Maud (18) is a Fine Weaver Flax Mill; Albert (13) and Fred (10) have no recorded occupations.

1911 Census

By the time of the 1911 Census, still at 45 Back Hartington Street, the family has dispersed. Parents William Oliver Edney (69) Stationary Engine Man, Steelworks, and wife Rachel Edney (66) are still present, but the only children there are Rachel Seliana (sic) Edney (32) General Servant Domestic, and Fredrick (sic) Oliver Edney (20) Ship’s Caulker. The Edney’s had been married for 50 years, and had 13 children, 10 of whom were living at this point.