Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1920 & 29

JOSEPH MACKEY (1892 - 1924)


 

Joseph Mackey was a Tramcar Conductor employed by Salford Corporation Tramway Department. On 14th February 1924 he was accidentally killed in Deansgate, Manchester, aged 31. His workmates paid for and erected his gravestone.

 

He was born in the 2nd quarter of 1892 at Ditton, near Widnes, Lancashire. His father was John Mackey (born 1851 in Ireland) who was a Labourer in a Copper Works. His mother was Ellen (nee Tynan) Mackey (born 1853 in Ireland). They were married on 18th August 1883 at Salford Cathedral. (John's parents were Michael and Mary Mackey and Ellen's parents were Jacob and Ellen Tynan). The 1891 census (just before Joseph was born), shows John and Ellen lived at New Road, Ditton, Lancashire, with their children Ellen jnr (born 1884 in Manchester) Mary Ann (born 1886 in Manchester), John (born 1888 in Manchester) and Maggie (born 1890 in Ditton).

 

The 1901 census shows that the family lived at 7 Diamond Street, Salford. Father John was aged 50 and still a Labourer at a Copper Works and mother Ellen was aged 48. Young Ellen (Nellie) was aged 16 and a Cloth Hooker, Mary Ann (Polly) was aged 15 and a Dressmaker, John jnr was aged 13 and Joseph was aged 9. No sign of Margaret. In the 4th quarter of 1903 Joseph's father John died. In 1910, Joseph's sister Mary Ann married Albert Victor Brownson at St Matthias Church, Salford.

 

The 1911 census shows Joseph lived with his married sister Mary Ann at 53 Meadow Road, Broughton. Head of the house was Albert V Brownson (born 1888 in Salford) aged 23 a Joiner's Labourer, Mary Ann was aged 25, Joseph's brother John Mackey was aged 23 and a Goods Porter, and Joseph Mackey was aged 23 and a Capstan Hand

 

The 1921 census shows that Joseph still lived with his sister Mary Ann Brownson at 45 Strawberry Hill Pendleton. He was aged 26 and a Tramcar Conductor employed by Salford Corporation Tramway Department. Albert Victor Brownson was aged 33 and a School Caretaker, employed by Salford Education Committee. Mary Ann was aged 35 and had Home Duties. Their children were Ivy (born 1912 in Salford) aged 9, Albert Victor jnr (born 1915 in Salford) aged 5, and Eric (born 1918 in Salford) aged 3

 

On 14th February 1924, Joseph Mackey was accidentally killed, whilst on duty, at Deansgate, Manchester, aged 31 (although the burial register says aged 29 and his gravestone says aged 30)! Unfortunately there are no details about how he was killed. (If anyone has any information I would very grateful to receive it). Joseph was buried at Weaste Cemetery, grave A6/RC/909 on 20th February 1924. An inscription on the gravestone read "Erected by his fellow workers of the Salford Corporation Tramways. Salford No.1 Branch T&GWU."

 

Joseph's sister Mary Ann and her husband Albert Brownson are recorded on the 1939 Register at Schoolhouse Tootal Drive, Salford, where Albert was School Caretaker and Mary Ann was School Cleaner. Mary Ann died on 17th June 1954 aged 68. Albert died on 17th March 1965 aged 77. Both were buried in Joseph's grave A6/RC/909 at Weaste Cemetery.