Glaisdale to Sacramento 1891

The narrative of a journey from Glaisdale to Sacramento was written by Joseph Readman and later transcribed by his great niece Elizabeth Ann Readman in 1977. This story has been laid dormant, amongst my uncle Joseph Leslie O'Connor's archives. A hundred and thirty-two years have passed – now it's time to retell the story.

The Readman family set sail on the 14^thof May 1891 from Liverpool on the SS Polynesian, bound for Quebec. Mother, Elizabeth Readman was 62 years old and a widow. Her Husband was Francis Readman 1826 – 1887. Mother's maiden name was Harrison, child of Robert Harrison & Elizabeth (Swales).

Daughter Elizabeth Harrison born in 1851 was also a widow. Her late husband, John Harrison born 1845 – died 22^nd of Feb 1889. Their children Charles Louis born in 1887 and Mary Beatrice born in 1889 were all onboard SS Polynesian. Incidentally, John Harrison was brother to my paternal great-grandmother, Agnes Harrison 1856-1948 who married Thomas Philip Lyth 1853-1927.

George Readman born 6^th of Apr 1864 was the first to travel to Sacramento. George sailed on the ship Italy, from Liverpool to New York on the 4^thof Nov 1886. There is mention of John & Frank Appleton in the attached letter, we may assume these are friends of Georges that he met at Sacramento and assisted in getting the house ready.

Embarking the Polynesian on the 14^th of May 1891, the passenger list read:

Joseph Readman was born in 1854.

Elizabeth Readman was born in 1828 (mother).

Nelly (Mary Ellen) Readman was born in 1866.

Emma Readman was born in 1870.

Alfred Readman was born in 1872.

Elizabeth Harrison was born in 1851.

Louis Harrison was born in 1887.
Mary Beatrice Harrison was born in 1889.

It is worth at this point, reading the narrative of the journey from Glaisdale to Sacramento – attached
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17AqIwcLiiyeTSkVSDtkJGqPdsCvWqJhC/view?usp=share_link

What else is known of this Readman family from Glaisdale?

Joseph lived in Sacramento till approximately 1893 when he returned to England via New York. He married Lucy Harrison in 1898 at St Hedda's Egton Bridge and died 15^th of Dec 1943 whilst living at Honey Bee Nest in Glaisdale. This was a timber house that he had built, probably copying the construction he had seen in Sacramento. Recently (c 2022) been demolished and a replacement dwelling was erected in its place.

Joseph & Lucy's daughter Elfrida Estella Readman married Ambrose White and lived at Holywell House Ugthorpe for a while.

Mother lived in Sacramento till she returned to England with Emma in 1902.
Mother died Jun 1905 North Yorkshire.

Emma Readman – a dressmaker, on returning home, married Matthew Shaw.

George lived in Sacramento till his death 29^th of Apr 1946.

Mary Ellen (Nelly) did very well as a dressmaker. She died 14^th of Aug 1959.

Alfred married Clara Boulin on the 16^th of Apr 1903. They had children:

Mary H (became a nun, Sister Mary Immaculate) was born 20^th of Jan 1904
and sadly died 11^th of Jul 1923.
Ethel Beatrice was born 17^th of Aug 1905. Ethel married Earnest Q Massa in 1927.
They had three sons:
Ernest Alfred Massa born 10^th of Oct 1927 –

Kenneth Roland Massa was born 17^th of Nov 1929 – died 16^th of Sep 1996.

Roland Louis Massa was born 8^th of Jul 1931 – died 18^th of Sep 1975.

Elizabeth Harrison died 8^th of Apr 1925 in Sacramento.
Louis Harrison took a wife Agnes about 1911 and they had two sons:
Louis H born in 1920 – died in 1993.
William D was born in 1925 – died in 1984.
Mary Beatrice lived in Sacramento till her death 26^th of Jan 1978

Jane Readman (1857-1920) remained at Egton. She married Joseph Swales (1860-1939), and they had ten children.

Francis Readman (1862-1923) also remained at Egton. He married Elizabeth Scarth-Hugill (1868-1942), and they had nine children.