Family Group Record information comes from the personal records and documents of Ethel M. Brough.
A comprehensive history on Benjamin Thomas Nichols and Olive Lovenia Booth can be found in the book: "The Life and Time of Benjamin Thomas Nichols and his wife Olive Lovenia Booth, 1875-1934", compiled and written by Rick and Evelyn McConkie, and published in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Utah Death Record lists Olive as "Olive Lovinia Booth"--as reported by her husband, B.T. Nichols.
A comprehensive history on Benjamin Thomas Nichols and Olive Lovenia Booth can be found in the book: "The Life and Time of Benjamin Thomas Nichols and his wife Olive Lovenia Booth, 1875-1934", compiled and written by Rick and Evelyn McConkie, and published in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Olive Nichols died of an "Intestinal obstruction".
In the 1841 Census, William Nichols is listed as being about 17 years old (born about 1824), not born in Northumberland, and working as a "Coal miner".
In the 1851 Census, William Nichols is listed as being about 30 years old (born about 1821), a "Coal miner" and living in Franwellgate, Durham, England. His wife is listed in the 1851 Census as "Esabell", age 24 years.
William Nichols was a Coal Miner. He was excommunicated from the LDS Church on 24 July 1870, but was re-baptized on 18 October 1875. Copies of the Coalville Ward Records and subsequent research verifying these church actions are in the possession of Ethel M. Brough. Research Note: Based on comments by older family members, it is probable that William Nichols and Ellen White were excommunicated from and later reinstated back into the LDS Church because of some minor infraction (such as "drinking tea") or because they "disagreed" about something with their local LDS church leader.
The following information was sent by the Temple Department of the LDS Church to Neldon E. Nichols on 10 April 1984: "This is to inform you that on 28 February 1984 the priesthood and temple blessings were restored by proxy in the Salt Lake Temple for your great grandmother, Ellen White, who was excommunicated on 28 August 1870 and was reinstated by baptism on 18 October 1875. On 20 March 1984 the priesthood and temple blessings were restored by proxy in the Salt Lake Temple for your great grandfather, William Nichols, who was excommunicated on 24 July 1870 and was reinstated by baptism on 18 October 1875. We have verified that your great grandfather was sealed to parents on 20 June 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple and your great grandmother was sealed by proxy to her parents on 1 October 1980 in the Provo Temple. These dates are their official sealing dates and should be entered into your records."
The LDS Sealing Record for William Nichols to Isabel Stavers (who had died) and Ellen White can be found at the Special Collections Division of the Family History Library, Film # 1149515 - Sealing # 13510. This record states incorrectly that William Nichols was born in "West Renton", Durham, England, however, he was born in "West Rainton."
A comprehensive history on William Nichols and Ellen White can be found in the book: "The Life and Time of Benjamin Thomas Nichols and his wife Olive Lovenia Booth, 1875-1934", compiled and written by Rick and Evelyn McConkie, and published in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ellen White was excommunicated from the LDS Church on 28 August 1870, but was re-baptized on 18 October 1875. Copies of the Coalville Ward Records and subsequent research verifying these church actions are in the possession of Ethel M. Brough.
The following information was sent by the Temple Department of the LDS Church to Neldon E. Nichols on 10 April 1984: "This is to inform you that on 28 February 1984 the priesthood and temple blessings were restored by proxy in the Salt Lake Temple for your great grandmother, Ellen White, who was excommunicated on 28 August 1870 and was reinstated by baptism on 18 October 1875. On 20 March 1984 the priesthood and temple blessings were restored by proxy in the Salt Lake Temple for your great grandfather, William Nichols, who was excommunicated on 24 July 1870 and was reinstated by baptism on 18 October 1875. We have verified that your great grandfather was sealed to parents on 20 June 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple and your great grandmother was sealed by proxy to her parents on 1 October 1980 in the Provo Temple. These dates are their official sealing dates and should be entered into your records."
A comprehensive history on William Nichols and Ellen White can be found in the book: "The Life and Time of Benjamin Thomas Nichols and his wife Olive Lovenia Booth, 1875-1934", compiled and written by Rick and Evelyn McConkie, and published in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Brith Certificate for John George Nichols is in possession of Ethel M. Brough. Earlier family records incorrectly stated that John George Nichols was born on 16 April 1855 in Bishop Middleham, Durham, England. However, according to John George Nichols birth certificate, he was born on 17 April 1855 in the same geographical area--of Seghill, Earsdon, Northumberland--as was his grandfather, John Nichol (born 19 August 1792).
The death of John George Nichols is listed in the on-line FreeBMD.
The death location of Margaret Nichols is listed in the on-line FreeBMD, which lists the registrated death as having been recorded during the January-March quarter of 1865 in the district of Easington, County Durham, England.
The death location of George Nichols is listed in the on-line FreeBMD, which lists the registrated death as having been recorded during the October-December quarter of 1866 in the district of Durham, Country Durham, England.
The christening of John Booth can be found in the FHL Film #1545699, which reads as follows: "June 4 [1837], John s[on of] James and Ann Booth, [of] Middleton, Weaver."
The 1851 Census lists John Booth as being about 13 years of age (born about 1838), born in Middleton, and working as a "Silk drawer in for Weaver". (Caution: the 1851 Census digital extraction mistakenly lists John Booth as John "Borth".)
The following information on John Booth were published in the 2002 book, "The Life and Times of Benjamin Thomas Nichols and his wife Olive Lovenia Booth":
"John [Booth] relates that by the time he was about fourteen years old there had been an epidemic of cholera in England [which actually took place in 1854] and the cemetery had been forced to empty the vaults to make room for the new dead. He said, 'As I watched them haul the skeletons out in two-wheeled carts, I wondered if my mother was among them.' When he went home he found the parish cart at the home taking his small brother and sisters to the poor house. He does not mention his older sister Martha but said he was told he could go and find relatives to live with. John had eight uncles on the Booth side, one Tetlow aunt, and one aunt, Judith Booth Ogden. John walked to Bolton to live with his mother's brother, Thomas Tetlow. His uncle took him into the mines to work. Of these times John only said, 'There was a blight on potatoes that year and as my uncle was poor, our meals were distasteful.' When John was nineteen he ran away and found work in the coal mines at Bury, Lancashire, England. One account said he was seventeen and was very careful not to let his uncle know where he had gone. It also said he got work at Pendlebury in the coal mines about four miles from Manchester." (Page 271.)
"John Booth, had left England for America on August 20, 1859, landing in New York, then taking the train to join up with John Lythgoe in Saint Louis to help earn means for the rest of the family to come to America." (Page 348)
Research Note, April 2008:
John and Ann Booth left together on the ship "Emerald Isle" from Liverpool, England on 20 August 1859, and arrived in New York on 1 October 1859. The LDS church leader was Henry Hug. (FHL Film # 175552.)Research Note, August 2008:
In August 2008, Kathleen Mellor Barnes (of Lancashire, England) told Ethel M. Brough (of Utah) that her Booth ancestors in England had passed down "a family tradition that a great uncle went to America to prospect for gold". Interestingly, John Booth (1837-1914) is the great grand uncle of Kathleen Mellor Barnes, and he did go "to California and worked in the Placer Gold Mines" between about 1860 and 1864 to "save enough money to send to England for our loved ones" and was "paid in gold dust that had to be changed into currency at Sacramento."A comprehensive history on John Booth and Ann Lythgoe can be found in the book: "The Life and Time of Benjamin Thomas Nichols and his wife Olive Lovenia Booth, 1875-1934", compiled and written by Rick and Evelyn McConkie, and published in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In the 1851 Census, Ann Lythgoe is listed as being about 14 years old (born about 1837), born in West Leigh, and working as a "Weaver" while living with her parents in Worsley, Lancashire.
In the 1861 Census, Ann (Booth) is listed as being about 24 years old (born about 1837), born in West Leigh, married and working as a "Cotton Weaver", while residing with her parents, Thomas and Esther Lythgoe, on Bolton Road, Pendlebury, Lancashire.
According to the book "Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude" (p.311), "John Booth and Ann [Lythgoe Booth's] brother, John Lythgoe, had come to America and worked to earn money to send for Ann and other members of the family. Ann [Lythgoe Booth] and other family members came west with the Joseph S. Rowlins Company, and arrived in Salt Lake, on 20 September 1864."
A comprehensive history on John Booth and Ann Lythgoe can be found in the book: "The Life and Time of Benjamin Thomas Nichols and his wife Olive Lovenia Booth, 1875-1934", compiled and written by Rick and Evelyn McConkie, and published in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In the 1841 Census, William Nichols is listed as being about 17 years old (born about 1824), not born in Northumberland, and working as a "Coal miner".
In the 1851 Census, William Nichols is listed as being about 30 years old (born about 1821), a "Coal miner" and living in Franwellgate, Durham, England. His wife is listed in the 1851 Census as "Esabell", age 24 years.
William Nichols was a Coal Miner. He was excommunicated from the LDS Church on 24 July 1870, but was re-baptized on 18 October 1875. Copies of the Coalville Ward Records and subsequent research verifying these church actions are in the possession of Ethel M. Brough. Research Note: Based on comments by older family members, it is probable that William Nichols and Ellen White were excommunicated from and later reinstated back into the LDS Church because of some minor infraction (such as "drinking tea") or because they "disagreed" about something with their local LDS church leader.
The following information was sent by the Temple Department of the LDS Church to Neldon E. Nichols on 10 April 1984: "This is to inform you that on 28 February 1984 the priesthood and temple blessings were restored by proxy in the Salt Lake Temple for your great grandmother, Ellen White, who was excommunicated on 28 August 1870 and was reinstated by baptism on 18 October 1875. On 20 March 1984 the priesthood and temple blessings were restored by proxy in the Salt Lake Temple for your great grandfather, William Nichols, who was excommunicated on 24 July 1870 and was reinstated by baptism on 18 October 1875. We have verified that your great grandfather was sealed to parents on 20 June 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple and your great grandmother was sealed by proxy to her parents on 1 October 1980 in the Provo Temple. These dates are their official sealing dates and should be entered into your records."
The LDS Sealing Record for William Nichols to Isabel Stavers (who had died) and Ellen White can be found at the Special Collections Division of the Family History Library, Film # 1149515 - Sealing # 13510. This record states incorrectly that William Nichols was born in "West Renton", Durham, England, however, he was born in "West Rainton."
A comprehensive history on William Nichols and Ellen White can be found in the book: "The Life and Time of Benjamin Thomas Nichols and his wife Olive Lovenia Booth, 1875-1934", compiled and written by Rick and Evelyn McConkie, and published in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Research Needed: The LDS Ordinance Index contains the christening of an Ann Richardson on 30 March 1823 in Tynemouth, Northumberland, England. This child's parents were: George Richardson and Jane. Further research is needed to verify or disprove any connection between this information and Ann Richardson who appears on this family group record. (Statement written by R. Clayton Brough on 28 July 2001.)
In the 1841 Census, William Nichols is listed as being about 17 years old (born about 1824), not born in Northumberland, and working as a "Coal miner".
In the 1851 Census, William Nichols is listed as being about 30 years old (born about 1821), a "Coal miner" and living in Franwellgate, Durham, England. His wife is listed in the 1851 Census as "Esabell", age 24 years.
William Nichols was a Coal Miner. He was excommunicated from the LDS Church on 24 July 1870, but was re-baptized on 18 October 1875. Copies of the Coalville Ward Records and subsequent research verifying these church actions are in the possession of Ethel M. Brough. Research Note: Based on comments by older family members, it is probable that William Nichols and Ellen White were excommunicated from and later reinstated back into the LDS Church because of some minor infraction (such as "drinking tea") or because they "disagreed" about something with their local LDS church leader.
The following information was sent by the Temple Department of the LDS Church to Neldon E. Nichols on 10 April 1984: "This is to inform you that on 28 February 1984 the priesthood and temple blessings were restored by proxy in the Salt Lake Temple for your great grandmother, Ellen White, who was excommunicated on 28 August 1870 and was reinstated by baptism on 18 October 1875. On 20 March 1984 the priesthood and temple blessings were restored by proxy in the Salt Lake Temple for your great grandfather, William Nichols, who was excommunicated on 24 July 1870 and was reinstated by baptism on 18 October 1875. We have verified that your great grandfather was sealed to parents on 20 June 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple and your great grandmother was sealed by proxy to her parents on 1 October 1980 in the Provo Temple. These dates are their official sealing dates and should be entered into your records."
The LDS Sealing Record for William Nichols to Isabel Stavers (who had died) and Ellen White can be found at the Special Collections Division of the Family History Library, Film # 1149515 - Sealing # 13510. This record states incorrectly that William Nichols was born in "West Renton", Durham, England, however, he was born in "West Rainton."
A comprehensive history on William Nichols and Ellen White can be found in the book: "The Life and Time of Benjamin Thomas Nichols and his wife Olive Lovenia Booth, 1875-1934", compiled and written by Rick and Evelyn McConkie, and published in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Bell (Esabell or Isabell) Stavers
The christening of Isabella Stavers is listed in the IGI and LDS Ordinance Index (via Patron submission).
Information about the child, William Nichols (b.1852) was obtained from the LDS Ordinance Index and the personal records of Ruby Bean Madsen.
The birth of John Nichol comes from family sources, which state that he was born in Sighill [Seghill], Earsdon, Northumberland.
The christening of "John Nichol" is listed in the IGI (via the LDS Extraction Program). According to the parish register transcript for Earsdon (FHL Film # 94991), John Nichol was christened on 19 August 1792 as the son of Thomas and Ann Nichol of Seghill, Newhouse, and Thomas Nichol was a "Labourer".
In August 2011, Ethel M. Brough obtained a copy of the death certificate of John Nichols from England, which stated that he died of "Dropsy" on 14 July 1866 at the age of "74 years" (born about 1792) at: 22 Long Rox, Coxhoe, County Durham, and that he was a "Coal Miner". The informant of his death was "Jane Holmes" of: 23 Long Row, Coxhoe.
In the 1841 Census, John Nichols is listed as being about 44 years old (born about 1797), born in Northumberland, and working as a "Coal Miner".
In the 1851 Census, John Nichols is listed as being about 54 years old (born about 1797), born in Earsdon, Northumberland, and working as a "Coal Miner" while residing in Cassop, Northumberland.
In the 1861 Census, John "Nichol" is listed as being about 67 years old (born about 1794), born in Philadelphia, Northumberland (which is about 17 travel miles south of Earsdon and near Houghton-le-Spring), working as a "Coal Miner", and residing as a "Father in Law" in the home of his daughter, Mary, and her husband John Hutton, in Coxhoe, Durham.
The birth and christening of Jane Dawson is listed in the IGI (via the LDS Extraction Program). According to the parish register transcript for Earsdon (FHL Film # 94991), Jane Dawson was christened on 23 June 1797 as the daughter of Thomas and Jane Dawson of Hartley, and that Thomas Dawson was a "Pitman" and that the maiden name of his wife, Jane, was "formerly Wright".
In the 1841 Census, Jane (Nichols) is listed as being about 43 (born about 1798) and born in Northumberland.
In the 1851 Census, Jane (Nichols) is listed as being about 53 years old (born about 1798) and born in Earsdon, Northumberland, while residing in Cassop, Northumberland.
The birth and christening of Thomas Nichols is listed in the IGI (via LDS patron submission).
In the past (prior to March 2009), some family sources have stated that Thomas Nichols married Mary Dorman(d). However, the marriage record of Thomas Nichols and Mary Dormand (FHL Film # 1068968)--states that this marriage took place on 9 February 1841 in Newcastle on Tyne, and that the father of Thomas Nichols who married Mary Dormand was actually "Thomas Nichols" a "Pitman", not John Nichol(s).
The birth of Ruth Nichols is listed in the IGI (via LDS patron submission).
Burial of George White was identified in 1979 by Research International, Salt Lake City, Utah, which stated that he was buried in 1838 at the age of 33 (born about 1805).
According to the birth and christening records of his four children, Thomas Nichol worked as a "Labourer" and lived in Seghill, Earsdon, Northumberland between 1792 and 1794; in Lookout, Earsdon, Northumberland during 1797, and in Tynemouth, Northumberland during 1799. Note: The traveling distance from Earsdon (near North Shields or Whitley Bay) southeastward to Tynemouth is about four miles.
FEBRUARY 2000 RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS:
In the 1970's and 1980's, research by family members listed seven possible children of Thomas Nichol and Ann Thornton. However, in February 2000, Clayton Brough and Mark Gardner researched this matter and came to the conclusion that these four children (earlier identified on the CFI) are NOT part of the Thomas Nichol family: Mary Nichol (ch.20 Mar 1774 at Newburn), Elizabeth Nichol (ch.17 Mar 1776 at Newburn), Ann Nickells (ch.30 Mar 1788 at Newcastle Upon Tyne, All Saints), Thomas Nichol, son of Thomas (ch.12 Sep 1790 at Newcastle Upon Tyne, All Saints).AUGUST 2002 RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS:
In August 2002, Mark E. Gardner stated the following to the Nichols and Booth Family Organization: "Concerning the Nichol(s) family of Earsdon, Northumberland: We feel as though we have confirmed the three children of Thomas Nichol and Ann Thornton as well as their marriage. These records for Earsdon are transcripts and are probably complete. ...We had searches done in England to try and locate the burials of Thomas Nichol and Ann Thornton and we were unsuccessful in locating them. They were not buried in Earsdon...."AUGUST 2011 RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS:
In August 2011, Clayton and Ethel Brough conducted extensive research into the probable parentage of Thomas Nichol (born about 1770). After conducting detailed radius searches of parish records and studying available records on the many different Nichol families of eastern Northumberland, they reached the conclusion--based on recognized family patronymics, occupational similarities, and known geographical migrations--that Thomas Nichol (born about 1770) was probably the son of John Nichol and Margaret Brewel. For example, the father and older brother of Thomas Nichol were both named "John", and Thomas subsequently named his only son "John". Also, the occupation of Thomas Nichol was that of a "Labourer"--which was the same occupation of his father, John. In addition, a number of related Nichol families lived in and moved from north-to-south along the coastline of eastern Northumberland during the late 1600's and 1700's.
Family sources suggest that Ann Thornton was the daughter of Charles Thornton and Anne Heppel who were married in 1757 in Hartburn, Northumberland. The christening of this Ann Thornton is listed in the IGI (via the LDS Extraction Program, FHL Film # 94993).
The birth and christening of Ann Nichol is listed in the IGI (via the LDS Extraction Program). According to the parish register transcript for Earsdon (FHL Film # 94991), Ann Nichol was christened on 17 August 1794 as the daughter of Thomas and Ann Nichol of Seghill, Newhouse, and Thomas Nichol was a "Labourer".
Research Note: Ann Nichol--who was born in August 1794--probably died prior to December 1799, as her younger sister--who was born in December 1799--was also named Ann. However, no burial is listed for an Ann Nichol--born in August 1794--in either Earsdon (via FHL Film # 94991) between 1794 and 1799 or in Christ Church (Tynemouth, via FHL Film # 1068675, Item #3) between 1797 and 1800.
The birth and christening of Margaret Nichol is listed in the IGI (via the LDS Extraction Program). According to the parish register transcript for Earsdon (FHL Film # 94991), Margaret Nichol was christened on 2 July 1797 as the daughter of Thomas and Ann Nichol of Lookout, and Thomas Nichol was a "Labourer" and his wife, Ann, was "formerly" a "Thornton".
The birth and christening of Ann Nichole is listed in the parish register transcript for Christ Church, Tynemouth (FHL Film # 1068907), which states that Ann Nichole was christened on 5 January 1800 as the "3rd daughter of Thomas Nichole of Whitley [probably Whitley Bay], labourer, by his wife Ann Thornton, native of this Parish". Also, the birth and christening of Ann Nichole is listed in the IGI (via LDS Patron submission, citing FHL Film # 1068907).
Research Note: Ancestry.com contains the marriage listing of an Ann Nichol--who was supposedly the daughter of Thomas Nichol and Ann Thornton--to a James Luke, which took place on 22 May 1820 in Howick, Northumberland. However, according to the parish register of Howick, Northumberland (FHL Film # 991787), this marriage took place by "Banns" and "with [the] consent of parents" on 22 May 1820 between "Ann Nichol of this [Howick] Parish" and James Luke of the Parish of Shilbottle"--which is 32 miles north of Earsdon where Ann Nichol was born. The marriage contained the signature of James Luke, and "X" mark of Ann Nichol, and was witnessed by Eliz. Nichol, William Luke and John Luke.
The birth year(s) of Thomas Dawson is based on the fact that when he died and was buried on 14 September 1837, he was listed as being "68" years old.
The christening of Thomas Dawson comes from the LDS Ordinance Index via the LDS Extraction Program.
According to a professional genealogist, Thomas Dawson was a "Pitman" of "Hy." See Pint Out GSB# P-24, Vol.1, pages 213-214, for Easden, Nhumb., England.
At the time of his burial, Thomas Dawson was "68" years old. The death and burial information on Thomas Dawson comes from a letter addressed to Mark E. Gardner, dated 24 May 2000, from the Northumberland Record Office. This information is in possession of Ethel M. Brough.
Research Note: There are still some questions about whether or not Thomas Dawson born in 1768-1769 is the same Thomas Dawson christened on 25 October 1772, and whether or not his parents were Joseph Dawson and Ann Dawson. Additional research needs to be done to verify this connection.
Jane Wright's christening date and place appears in the LDS Ordinance Index via the LDS Extraction Program.
Jane Wright is listed as 68 years old and "Independent" in the 1841 Census of Holywell, Earsdon, Northumberland, England. FHL Film # 438885.