Joseph Barratt

Two years later, on Monday 14 May 1883, Joseph married Ann Armitage, the elder daughter of James and Mally Armitage of Bourne Street, Oldham. At this time, Joseph was living just a couple of hundred yards or so away from Tudor Street at 1 Ashton Road. It seems that Ben had moved his whole family to this new address since two years later, in December 1885, the same address was given by Joseph's sister Sarah Jane on her marriage certificate. At the time of his marriage, Joseph had been promoted again, and was now working as a Cotton Mill Manager.

Joseph was born on Thursday, 9 February 1854 in Bath Bank, Oldham, Lancashire. He was the second child and first son of Ben and Betty Barratt.

By April 1871 Joseph was 17 years old and living with his parents at 2 in 2 Court, 138, Shaw Street, Oldham, along with his two sisters, Mary and Sarah. At this time he was working as a Warehouse Man although we do not know where.

Ten years later, in April 1881, Joseph was still living at home with his parents, although by this time the family had moved house and was now living at 60, Tudor Street in Oldham. Aged 27, Joseph seemed to have progressed in his career, and was now working as a Cotton Operative Manager.

Joseph probably left the family home at the time of his marriage to set up house with his new wife. However, we do not yet know where they may have gone, although it may be worthy of note that their first child Arthur was born in Manchester in the third quarter of 1884.

At some point in the next couple of years, Joseph took a big step and decided to move to the United States of America. We do not yet know when he sailed, but Ann and three year old Arthur joined him later in 1887. They left from Liverpool setting sail on 18 October 1887, and traveling ‘intermediate’ with the Cunard Line on the SS Scythia. Going ‘intermediate’ class indicated that they did not have a separate cabin for themselves, but they did not travel "steerage". The two of them arrived in Boston on 27 October 1887.

Joseph and his young family stayed in the US for at least six years, as his second son James was born in Saugus, a suburb of Boston, in August 1893.