Elizabeth Dowling-sister of John Henry Cruise Dowling(earlier post by Susan 27 April 2010 relates to this)

Posting this on here as well as the Facebook group.
Kate Thorley was talking  to her cousins  recently about Elizabeth -John Henry Cruise Dowling's sister (Martha's Aunt) and how she was married to Benjamin Edward Bailey, who she thought was once Mayor of Bootle.We "googled" this but couldn't find much but after some more "googling,"  this came up. Hope you all enjoy reading it.

http://playupliverpool.com/1927/01/28/mr-b-e-baileyss-golden-wedding/

Facebook group for us all.... Martha's Family (Dowling/ Johnson)

Hi  all,
There is a Facebook private group-Martha's Family (Dowling/Johnson)
Only members can see posts, it's not public.
If you are on Facebook ,please add yourself and anyone else you think might be interested.

I'm sure if Martha (and her children) were  around she'd have been on it!! Imagine !!
 Helen x

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/390394811144870/?ref=bookmarks

Old Photos

These are some photos from Lynn Allen (Johnson)-Her Dad was Bill Johnson-Martha and Edward's son. Click on the photos to enlarge them.

This is Marjorie and Jack's wedding-Martha is in the middle. Is the smaller bridesmaid Mavis-(Ida's daughter)? The two bridesmaids are Rene( Martha's daughter) and Noreen (Bill Johnson's wife).
Can anyone say who the others are?

This one was at Tommy O'Donnell and Wendy's  wedding. Rene and Tom O'Donnell with Alan,Patricia, Sue and Kath.

Tom O'Donnell and Wendy's wedding.
L-R
Vera Breithaupt (Martha's daughter) Peter Breithaupt,? Martha, ? Susan Kolu (Whitehead) Bill Johnson, Rene O'Donnell (Martha's daughter) Tom O'Donnell, Dolly(Dorothy) Whitehead, (Martha's daughter), Gerald Whitehead

L-R-Sue (O'Donnell) ? Kath (O'Donnell)  Wendy,? ? Patricia (O'Donnell)

Let's keep this blog alive

I'd like to encourage as many of my huge extended family to post a picture and some information, about themselves, what Country and town they live in and what their connection is to the Dowling family. To get this off thing off, I  am posting myself and then hope others will follow. So why not post something and encourage all your relatives who are not contributors to email me so that I can give them access. Email me at marthasfamilyblog@gmail.com

Hi I am Kate daughter of Rene. Martha was my Grandma. I am married to Andy and had one son Steve. 

My Mum had 5 children Tom, Alan, Me, Patricia and Susan. Sadly Alan died last year. Tom lives in France, Patricia in Folkestone and Sue in Merseyside.

This pic is of me with my lovely grandchildren Tom (12) and Ollie (8)  Andy and I have an apartment in the same house as Steve Jo and the Grandkids. They live in the main house and we live upstairs on the top floor apartment. Andy and I are semi retired so we travel a lot and use the (Nanaland) apartment when we are back in UK. it works great. We all love music and I think this comes through the generations. In our home there are 3 pianos, 5 guitars, 2 PA systems and a set of drums in the house! The poor neighbours! 

A lovely chat

I just had a lovely chat with Joyce Bunting who lives in Londonderry, Ireland. Joyce is the daughter of Henry, Martha's brother who is third from the right (standing).  She told me of her brother Jack living in Australia, of her other siblings who lived in USA and in Wales. It reminded me that the Dowling family are spread all over the world. Wouldn't it be great if anyone connected (in any way at all)  posted a picture of themselves and their family and tell us where in the world they live and what they are up to. The blog has not had any posts for a while so let's all try to spark it up again.

It is also worth mentioning that the Dowlings seems to live to a ripe old age but there seems to be a hereditary problem with AMD (Age related Macular Degeneration) It is an eye problem that can be halted if diagnosed so pass the word on to all your family to have regular checks.

Mary Eileen Johnson - Feb, 1917 - Dec, 1917

After reading Kate's post about Mona, I did some additional research on Ancestry and found that a Mary Eileen Johnson was born about March, 1917 in Kirkdale and the mother was listed as having a maiden name of Dowling.  On a hunch, I decided to order a copy of the birth certificate and indeed found that she was a child of Edward Johnson and Martha Dowling, born February 12, 1917.  The birth was registered on March 26, 1917.  I then found a death registered in December of 1917 for Mary E Johnson, registered in the West Derby registration district.  I presume this is most likely the "lost" Johnson daughter.  Would you agree?  I haven't ordered the death certificate and I will keep looking for documentation but I think this is probably the "May" that has been referenced.  What do you all think?   Derek

CLAIRE HOUSE

Thank you  cousin Derek for sending Barry the lovely cheese & wine hamper.He felt that it was only right to donate this to Claire House, which is a children’s hospice on the Wirral, in memory of his Dad Ted. [who supported this charity]
Thank you Derek for agreeing with this decision.
Here is a photo of Barry with the fund raising staff, they were delighted with the donation.
Thank you all for your good wishes & kind words expressed during this sad time. Barry & all the family are fine............Ray xx

Thank You

On behalf of  The Johnson family, I would like to thank everyone for all there cards and sympathy over the sad loss of dad, thank you to Kate, Andy,Sue ,Helen, Veronica & Jen for attending dads funeral, and thank you to cousin Derek who sent over a lovely wine & cheese hamper. I hope he won't be offended if we donate it to Claire house who look after terminally ill children on the Wirral so that they can raffle it, its a charity which was close to dads heart and which he has supported over many years.
Thank you to Susan in America and Tom in France and all of Martha' s family for there kind thoughts.
                                                                                                                                                    Ray xx

AT 10 RUSKIN AVE. OCT 2012 WEARING DAD'S HAT & COAT

Lost my lovely dad, Edward (Ted) Johnson. Passed away peacefully after a very short illness, 11th May 2013.  So pleased that I came home from New Zealand and spent six precious weeks with him last year. Incredibly proud of you Dad. Love you forever. Brian & Margaret

Mona Johnson Dec 1909 - Sept 1911

My Mum used to talk of two of Martha's  babies who died in infancy. Their names were Mona and May.
I have found Mona's birth and death records but have struggled to find anything about May.

Mona died just 21 months old. She was listed in the Births record in Dec 1909 and Death record in 1911. She was the 2nd child of Martha and Edward after Ida (Martha Elizabeth Ida) who was born in 1908 Then  Vera was born in 1912.

Can anyone help find more information about May?

I don't remember Grandma ever mentioning either Mona or May but Mum said that she remembers Grandma telling her that when the babies were laid out in the parlour that she (Martha)came downstairs and cuddled them. How sad and how touching. I asked Uncle Ted a while ago about the 2 babies and he didn't remember, but he was born a lot later and  maybe Martha didn't really talk about it.

I'd like to think that when we remember Martha's children that we include Mona, I'm sure Martha never forgot her even if she found it difficult to talk about her. Maybe we can also find a record of May.

A bit of history

Hi to all my family out there.
I have done a bit of ancestry digging in the past and this is the information I discovered about the Johnson line. You may want to draw out a family tree so that you can see it better. It is a bit tricky just to understand it from sentences.

Edward Johnson (Martha's husband and my Grandad) was the 3rd child of 8 children. Mary 1877, Joseph 1878, Edward 1880, James 1880, Grace 1884-1951, Stephen 1887, William 1888, and Margaret 1892

Their parents were William Johnson(1853) and Elizabeth Alice Cave (1857) William's parents were Joseph Johnson (1826) and Mary (maiden name I don't know) and this was as far as I got down Mary's  line.

However with Elizabeth Cave I got much further.

Elizabeth Cave was the 1st child of 6 children. Elizabeth 1857, John 1850 James 1852 William 1855 and Ann 1860 and Stephen 1863
Her parents were Stephen Cave (1827 - 1864) and Mary Palmer (1828)

Stephen Cave was the son of John Cave 1795 and Elizabeth Aspinall 1793- 1866.
Mary Palmer was the child of James Palmer but I have no information of her Mother

This is as far as I got.
If you do have access to www.ancestry.com then the family tree is listed as Johnson/Dowling and the owner is randjinoz (this is my sister in law's ID  who helped me pull the information together)
Interesting isn't it. let me know if you have any questions I may be able to search it out.

Martha Dowling Birth Certiificate

Martha Dowling and Edward Johnson Marriage Cert.

Martha Dowling and Edward Johnson Marriage Certificate. June 4th 1906

Teds Memorys

Susan asked how granddad died. Edward Johnson died in Walton Hospital Liverpool aged 57 of liver failure, dad seems to think it would have been caused by going in and out of the big ships freezers were the meat was stored and not wearing a coat to keep out the cold.
Dad can't remember Edward having any brothers or sisters but maybe Helen will be able to delve into that now that she has a bit more info which is on Martha & Edwards marriage certificate. Dad tells me that John Dowling, Marthas dad lived in Marmion st aintree and would call on dad who then lived in wallasey on his way to watch the cricked at the cricket club in Rake Lane wallasey. Dad remembers he wore either a bowler or a straw boater and was a very smart man. Regards to all Edward & Martha's family.
          Ray

Ted's Memorys

Spoke to dad today to try to answer some of Susan’s questions. Dad seems to think that Martha left Bob Poston because shall we say he was abusive towards her. Dad recalls things became so bad that he hit Bob Poston, at the time dad was only 16 and went to live with some friends who had a small holding in Maghull, but he cant remember who they were.
One of Bobs daughters  Karen Isaics? still sends dad a xmas card every year and lives in Cambridge.
In 1942 Martha took dad to sign up for the merchant navy with the White star line and signed up on the Laconia on which he did 2 trips, it was the second trip when the ship was torpedoed and dad was captured and sent to a prison camp in Casablanca in north Africa were he stayed for a few months untill set free by the Americans.
On the 31/12/42 dad had just got home from being a prisoner of war and walked into the Sefton Arms in West Derby were Martha and Bob were talking to 4 A.T.S girls, one being my mum Eileen, after the pub they all went to a party at one of Bobs daughters house, the next day my mum brought my dad over to the Wallasey to meet  her mum and dad Daisy and Jack Cooper [ who brought me up when I was born as the house was so small being a 2 up 2 down ] and the rest is history.
Uncle Billy signed up for the sea when he was about 17 and my dad 18, being so young was accepted in those days as they needed anyone they could get. Dad sends his love to all of Martha & Edwards family who are scattered all over the world.
                                                                        Ray

Discharge Book

My Granddad

It gives me great pleasure to be able to add a picture of Edward Johnson Martha's husband, a picture I know all of the family would like to see.
One of my dads regrets was that know one in the family had a picture of his dad, and as you can imagine it gives me great pleasure to be able to full fill his wish. The picture is taken off his I.D.and discharge book

a picture of which I will also include on the blog. Best wishes to all of Martha & Edward family who are all over the world. Seeing granddad for the first time has been very emotional for me.
                                                                    Ray

Butchers Shop

Talking to dad today about his dads shop in Westminster road the remains of which can still be viewed on google maps, its next door to Westminster news. It looks like the council has finally got round to building a wall to block off access to the site. Dad was saying how as a young boy he would work for his dad maybe after school and weekends, and would take orders out on a delivery bike with a basket on the front. Dad was saying his dad never owned the shop but paid rent, when he died in 1937 Martha had a manager in the shop for a while but that didn't work out so by the time it was bombed in 1939 dad feels that Martha would not have still been renting the shop. If anyone has any questions they would like me to ask dad please let me know. Dad will be 90 in October but still as sharp as a pin, so get your questions in. Regards to all Martha's family.

Ships

As asked for by Susan my cousin from North Carolina I have spoken to Dad about the ship information. Edward Johnson sailed on R.M.S Olympic which sailed from Southampton a journey made many times by Martha so as she could see her husband. For more info about the ship see wikipedia.
Uncle Billy was a waiter on the Reina del mar. info on wikipedia about ship.
My dad Ted Johnson Sailed on a number of ships including, The Laconia, Franconia, Alcantara, Georgic and the Athalone castle.
To see Martha's husbands butchers shop which was bombed in1939 see my post dated 20/11/10 and you will see dad walking across the road the bombed out shop behind him. Regards to all of Martha's family all over the world.  Ray

The Laconia survivors story.

The story of the sinking of the Laconia, as told by the survivors including Ted Johnson the son of Martha.

Lynn Veronica Vera Jennifer Kate Pat Sue and Helen get together for a reunion during a vist from Vera from Australia September 2012

Jennifer Lynn Sue on a walk with Maghull Ramblers

The Visit

Kate, Sue, & Helen pay a visit to Teds and met up with cousins Barry, Paul & Ray. A great afternoon was had by all, and the girls went home after having a cooking lesson off Ted on how to cook roast potatoes. Thank you to all for taking time out to see dad as I know he appreciates it. xxx

Ted's Birthday

A great night was had by all when all of the Johnson family got together for dads 89th birthday at the British legion club in wallasey.

Surrounded by his family & grand children dad danced the night away until about 12 midnight. Picture shows dad with one of his grandchildren Michelle who was up from London to join in with the celebrations. 

THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD.

Ted will be 89 on 6th of October and still looking good, surrounded by all his family. Brian home from New Zealand and Ian over from Amsterdam, All of us standing according to age.Ted,Barry, Paul, Ray,Brian, Les, Carol, and Ian.

Vera and Martha

A lovely photo of my mum Vera and Martha 1960's?

I have just got a slide scanner on the computer so will try and post more as my brother David and Bill had loads of them, and I have now got them.
(PS Look at the state of the window ledge :) also I remember some of those ornaments!!

Breithaupts 1955-56 ish

Breithaupts
L-R
Jim,Vera,Stephen, Jenny with me on her knee!!

Gerry Whitehead

Our dear brother, Gegs, passed away on February 27th after a long battle with cancer. As short as his life was, he accomplished much as he sailed around the world making so many great friends. He will always be remembered for his extreme generosity, his engrossing stories and great sense of humor and will be sadly missed by us all.

Marthas Husband.

Hi everyone
Dad [Ted Johnson] has asked me to inquire if anyone has a picture of his dad who had the butchers shop in Westminster Road, if so can you post it on this blog or maybe let Kate Or Helen know as they have my email address.
The other question is, why wasn't Martha [dads mum] at his wedding. He seems to think there was some kind of a fall out, but he tells me that Martha's second husband was there and a number of his sisters. I wish we had asked Renee who I am sure would have known the answer. If anyone knows can you let me know.
Thank You
Ray

Hi Everyone,

Been awhile since I've been on here... been going through some old pics and thought I would post a few. Please feel free to help identify people in the photos! I know some of the names, but not all! Hope everyone is doing well!

Derek

Eileen and Ida

My nan was 9 months here

Ida Johnson and William Taylor

My great grandparents

MY DAUGHTER MOLLY WITH HER GREAT NANNY EILEEN ON HER 70TH BIRTHDAY 

Well hello everyone, my name is Nicola and I am Martha's great, great granddaughter.  My nan is Eileen Taylor daughter of Martha Elizabeth Ida Johnson (known as Ida)...Me and my nan are so pleased to have come across this page as we have been doing our family tree on ancestry and we found Derek (Marjorie's son in the USA), it was him that told me of this page.  Although we live in Liverpool their has been no contact with the family for many years.  My nan's sister Mavis died at only 15 from leukemia leaving my nan as an only child.
She went on to marry my Granddad Stan Gilroy and have four girls but Karen  their second girl born sadly died at only one years of age. My mum Norma Ida is her oldest and I am Eileen's oldest granddaughter, I also have a brother called Josh(22) and a little girl called Molly who is 11.  Molly has downs syndrome but is in perfect health and is a little madame. My aunty Julie and aunty Lynn are nan Eileen's other two daughters.  Lynn has no kids but Julie has a girl called Hayley(25) and a boy called shaun(17).

Me and my mum live in Formby but my nan Eileen and the rest all live in Maghull.  My nan has been reminiscing today looking at all the pictures on here and has wrote a few memories down that she wants me to put on here to see if others remember.  I will also get any pictures I have on here soon as possible.

Hope to hear from you all soon

Nicola x

Kate & Andy visit Ted

Kate & Andy spend an afternoon with Ted and Family 15/11/11. So nice of them to keep in touch, Dad was made up. Pictures shows Kate,Ted,Barry [ Teds eldest son] & Andy

Looking for Captain Hartenstein !

Ted Johnson still looking for Werner Hartenstein. Pictures taken 31/10/2011, as you can see dad who is now 88 is still in great shape.

5 of Martha's Grand Daughters Aug 2011

Taken at a family party recently!!!
L-R
Sally + Veronica ( nee Whitehead), Sue Doran (nee O'Donnell) Helen Jones (nee Breithaupt)
Patricia (nee O'Donnell)

new relative

Hi again, My Aunty Joyce from Northern Ireland would like to participate on this blog. She is my mothers younger sister and is Martha's neice ,and she has lots of interesting things to add to the blog. Could you please invite her to be involved? Her email is joyce.bunting@btinternet.com . Thanks so much! ~ Margaret

The Sinking Of The Laconia

Laconia Newspaper Article

RMS Laconia survivor says he would shake hand of U-Boat captain who saved him

Read More http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/01/07/rms-laconia-survivor-says-he-would-shake-hand-of-u-boat-captain-who-saved-him-92534-27945945/#ixzz1AKoYhHJS

Liverpool Daily Post

Just saw this in the paper!!

The Sinking of the Laconia= NEWSFLASH

Hi Cousins
Just to let you know, Alan Bleasdales 2 part drama " The Sinking of the Laconia" will be shown on the 6th & 7th of January at 9.0pm on BBC 2. The documentary with my dad in it will be shown on the 8th of January at 7.30 pm on BBC 2.

Thank You
Ray

Hi everyone,

I am not a descendant of Martha Dowling, but of her brother Henry Dowling (my granddad). I am happy to be included on this blog. I would be glad to help with any ancestry questions if I can. I would love to see some more old photos of the old folks.

Thanks!
Margaret Griffin Adams

Newsflash

Just letting everyone know that Margaret Adams(Henry Dowling's grand-daughter -he was Martha's brother)in America has added some comments and family history information to the first photo's posted.

The Laconia Incident

Hi Cousins
Just an update, Dad [Ted Johnson] has received a call from talkbackthames informing him the Alan Bleasdale drama and the documentary with Ted in it will be shown in January 2011, as and when I get any actual date I will let You know.
Dad has asked if anyone out there has got a photograph of his dad, if so can you post it on the blog and I will print it off.
Thank You
Ray

Renee & Kate + Johnsons

Taken about 2005, Ted with 2 of his sons Barry & Brian who called on Renee and met cousin Kate.

Ray,Just spent some time reading through it all-how great to see photo's of Henry Dowling's family in America.

Hi Everyone
I have now uploaded all the emails etc for the Dowling Clan, if you wish to print any off it may be better if you save to your own PC then you can mess about with them size wise.