My Grandad Greaves
A Memory of Leasingthorne.
Hope someone spots this, and can help!
My Grandad, John Greaves, was born in March 1881 in Leasingthorne. HIs mother was pregnant, unmarried, and living with her parents and siblings in Northumberland. She was seen as bringing shame on the family, and they were stoned out of the village, and moved to Leasingthorne. Like almost everyone at the time, the family were miners. My grandad's mother and father married 2 years later (when she was pregant again). The new baby took his father's surname - Swann, but my Grandad retained his mother's surname - Greaves. This was probably due to the cost of a name change (or even adoption, which was the law in past times), or maybe even ignorance.
Grandad was born at 825 Leasingthorne. I can't find any info on this strange address, and wonder whether it's just a plot number. I imagine also, that they were very poor, as they'd had to flee their previous home. If ANYONE has any info, or an elderly relative who knew the Greaves or Swann families, I'd love to hear from them. My Grandad lived to age 85, in 1966. Or if you've got knowledge of Leasingthorne - I'm very curious about the above address. Thanks in advance.
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