A reader has been in touch asking for help for information an old Hoylake family. If you can help either a leave a comment or contact me and I’ll pass the information on. Here’s the question from David Orton
I was wondering whether yourself or any of your users etc may have any information about the cowin family who lived in Hoylake (Hoose) in the firsthalf of last century. They ran a chimney sweep business in 96 Market Street (now Big Als hairdressers).
A Walter Cowin lived in one of the cottages at Hoose Court and a Mary Ann Cowin married Leopold Morgan (the son of the light house keeper). William Cowin was the head of the house and business (my g g grandfather). My grandfather, Fred Cowin was born in 96 Market Street and was a plasterer before joining the marines during ww2.
I am looking for info and photos – as chimney sweeps it is possible they appeared in wedding photos – and also the place where William Cowin was buried – he died in 1917. I know where his children are buried but not him.
David would greatly appreciate any help so if you can please get in touch and I’ll forward it on.
Regular reader and contributor Jackie says….
“As long as I can remember 96 Market street was Williamson’s Sweet Shop certainly war time on. I remember the Cowin’s and the Chimney Sweep business.”
Yes I remember Mr Cowin, (although I thought it was Cowen) we lived in School Lane at the back of where he lived and he often swept our chimney, normally after it caught fire.
If you are a member of ancestry.co.uk you should search early Hoylake telephone directories and if you look under Cowin (Cowen) you will find the address you want.
Also as an aside, Mr. Cowin had a white and black dog (not black and white) that was the terror of the residents of School Lane, Hazel Road and its environs, in fact anyone that entered or left Market Street from or to School Lane was fair game. Often times the dog would trap you and dare you to move, you’d then have to wait for Mr. or Mrs Cowen to remove him which could be a long time.
Aaahhh The good old days.
Bernie
Canada