Hi Marina I could be wrong but I believe that at these early dates, the only "benefits" available to anyone were in the form of poor relief and/or local charitable support, from church, chapel or benefactor. If Emma's mother was of independent means as "Proprietor of Houses" seems to suggest, then it's unlikely Emma would qualify for poor relief or charity. In which case, the answer to your question of whether the widowed mum supported them all is likely to be yes, though of course if they were less well-off, Emma or her mum might have done other bits of work to supplement their incomes, taking in washing and so on. Women's work was often poorly reflected in census returns. On the other hand, if John WHITTAKER went to India for work reasons and was employed by the East India Company either as a civilian or in their Army (which became part of the British Army after the Indian Mutiny in the 1850s), and if he died while there, there might (big 'might') have been a widow's pension for Emma, assuming she was still legally 'with' John and he had declared her existence. Records about India and the East India Company are more easily accessible now at the British Library's website: http://indiafamily.bl.uk/UI/Home.aspx and at sites like FIBIS: http://www.fibis.org and Indian Cemeteries: http://www.indian-cemeteries.org. There is also a mailing list for India, whose members I found incredibly helpful a few years ago. Hope this helps. Celia Renshaw Bringing lost ancestors home: www.morganhold.com Free strays database; affordable family research services -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of beacock Sent: 27 November 2009 17:49 To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [WRY] WHITTAKER - Financial aid for Yorkshire widows My great great grandfather John WHITTAKER, born about 1827 in Oulton, Leeds, West Yorkshire left his wife Emma LEE, young daughter Anne WHITTAKER and step-daughter Jane Lee SMALLEY in Woodlesford, Leeds England about 1857 and went to India. He was a joiner, carpenter, builder by occupation, and died some time between 1857 and 1865 possibly in Bombay, India. While husband John was away, and after he died, wife Emma LEE lived with her mother Elizabeth ARMITAGE in Woodlesford. My question is in connection with their finances. Elizabeth ARMITAGE was a widow who according to census records was a "Proprietor of Houses". Daughter Emma LEE did not work. Would Emma LEE have been able to collect some kind of widow's benefit for herself and her daughters? If so where would I find records for this? If not, would it be feasible that her mother Elizabeth ARMITAGE financially supported herself, daughter and granddaughter? We have not been able to find a will for Elizabeth ARMITAGE or Emma LEE, so don't know what happened to the "houses" Marina Canada