New Cross, Lancashire
Dorothy Staveley was born in 1810, the eldest daughter of George Staveley and Dorothy Wray of Aysgarth, Yorkshire. In 1833 Dorothy had a son William, out of wedlock, christened at St. Andrews Church in Aysgarth. It is unknown what became of young William, as he has not been located in the 1841 census. There is no record of death for him in Aysgarth parish. In the 1851 census we find Dorothy, unmarried, working as a servant in Rivington:
1851: Fisher Houses, Rivington, Lancashire
| Dorothy RADCLIFF | Head | W | Female | 53 | Walton-on-the-Hill, Lancshire, England | Gentlewoman Annuitant |
| Edward RADCLIFF | Son | U | Male | 24 | Walton-on-the-Hill, Lancshire, England | Commission Agent for the Sale of Wines and Spirits, Cigars and Oils |
| Oliver Cooper POLLARD | Visitor | U | Male | 29 | Manchester, Lancashire, England | Surgeon L.S.A. Not Practicing |
| Dorothy STAVELEY | Serv | U | Female | 41 | Aysgarth, Yorkshire, England | Cook |
| Mary JONES | Serv | U | Female | 35 | ?, Westmorland, England | House Maid |
Dorothy married William W. NELSON a few months later at the Manchester Registrar's Office. This marriage was short-lived, as by 1861 Dorothy is widowed, and found living in New Cross, Manchester:
1861: 17 Richmond St., New Cross, Manchester, Lancashire
| Dorathy NELSON | Head | W | Female | 54 | Eysgarth, Yorkshire, England | Char Woman |
| Joseph NELSON | Son | U | Male | 14 | Horridge, Lancashire, England | Messenger |
| John NELSON | Son | M | Male | 5 | Manchester, Lancashire, England | Scholar |
Joseph is likely Dorothy's step-son as she didn't marry William NELSON until 1851.
By 1871 Dorothy's son John was apprenticed to Thomas Parr, a blacksmith and wheelwright. By 1881 Dorothy's son John is found living Worsley, a blacksmith, with his wife Betsy HALLOWS. Neither Dorothy, nor her son Joseph have been found in any subsequent census.