My great-grandfather William PHETHEAN 1853-1907. His body was found on second August 1907 in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Rufford, Lancs. Cause of Death: ³Found drowned but jury had not sufficient evidence to show how he came to be in the water². Certificate received from Harold Parker, Deputy Coroner for Lancashire. Inquest held 3 August 1907. He was at some time, cotton mill manager (John Phethean & Co, Moses Gate), and later publican/manager of the Church Hotel in Bolton - but his probate document states he was an "insurance agent". What events befell him and what caused him to die in such tragic circumstances miles away from home? I have a family photo taken in about 1887 and it looks like a typical Victorian middle class family. What can he tell me about the cotton industry - the good times and the hard times - and what were the economic or personal circumstances that influenced his life in such a dramatic way? This was a well-kept family secret - the event that was never mentioned by my father or by my grandfather - I only discovered the facts when I came across a copy of the Probate certificate last year. Stuart On 13/12/2011 22:10, "Lynne" <lklein@mindspring.com> wrote: > Dear Listers, > > The theme: > > Your holiday plans are in place but there is one place left to fill at your > table and you would like to invite a Lancashire ancestor to join in the fun. > Who would you invite and what question would you ask him or her? > > Be sure to add your ancestor's surname in all caps in your subject line.