Mr Edward Joseph McGarvey was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England on 20 January 1878 and he was baptised on 18 February in St Albans Roman Catholic Church, Liverpool.
He was the son of Edward McGarvey (1828-1883) and Teresa Deery (1839-1897). Both Edward's parents hailed from Ireland and had married in St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Highfield Street, Liverpool on 14 July 1863.
Edward had seven known siblings: Mary Jane (b. 1864), Teresa (b. 1865), Patrick (b. 1866), Margaret (b. 1868), Michael (b. 1870), Bridget (b. 1874) and William (b. 1880). On the 1881 census the family are living at 13 Hankin Street, Liverpool and his father was then described as a coal heaver.
Edward was married in West Derby, Lancashire in 1901 to Ellen Owens (b. 10 June 1881 in Bootle, Lancashire). The couple would have six children by 1911, with two surviving infancy: Margaret (b. 1902), Edward Joseph (1905-1906), George Henry (1906-1910), Ellen (1908-1909), Henry Michael (b. 1911).
The family initially settled in Liverpool but perhaps moved to Southampton around 1907 to coincide with the White Star Line's decision to shift its main terminus to that city. The 1911 census shows Edward and his family living at 54 College Street, St Mary, Southampton and McGarvey was described as a ship's fireman.
When Edward signed on to the Titanic on 6 April 1912 he gave his address as 54 College Street, Southampton. His previous ship had been the New York, the very liner with which Titanic had a near collision whilst leaving Southampton. As a fireman Edward could expect to earn monthly wages of £6.
Edward McGarvey died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.
Ellen McGarvey, his widow, was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time of the Titanic disaster; she gave birth to a daughter on 21 December 1912 and named her Frances Louise. Assisted financially by the Titanic Relief Fund, she was remarried towards the end of 1913 to James John Jamieson, another mariner, and returned to her native Liverpool where she had four more children. What became of her is unknown.
His daughter Margaret later married dock labourer John Penlington and had three children. She died in Liverpool in 1981.
His son Henry later worked as a ship’s steward and married Mary O'Grady and had two children. He died in Liverpool in 1978.
His posthumously born-daughter Frances married William Garland and had six children.
Comment and discuss
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Edward JosephMcGarvie was my great-great uncle; my mother's great uncle. My mum was born as Louise McGarvey, and this is on her side, and not on my side since I'm a Hartley! But, it is true; I only found that out less than a year ago.
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Steven - how interesting. Do you have any more info on the birth or marriage details of Edward Joseph? I heard recently that my father's (Robert McGarvey) uncle had died on the Titanic but unfortunately have no further details. Do you know the parentage - the first name Edward has transcended my father's side of the family. I heard there was a "barber" occupation but note he was a fireman/stoker on board Titanic. Regards, Julie McGarvey
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Edward McGarvey was my great uncle. He was a brother to my grandfather and uncle to my father. My father did not have a brother named Robert so maybe he was a cousin I'm not aware of. I found that Edward had two brothers named Michael (my grandfather) and William. Julie, could your grandfather be William?
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Edward Joseph Mcgarvey was my great grandfather ,his daughter Margaret was my grandmother.Margaret married John Penlington and had 3 children not 2,her eldest child (also called John ) was my father,followed by June Rose and finally Lena.Lena died aged 22 in 1963 and John (my dad) was killed in 1968 aged 37 .June Rose (who liked to be known as Rose ) emigrated to Canada in 1969 with her husband John Ainsworth .Rose and John are now deceased ,they had 3 children ,2 still live in Canada but 1 now lives in Louisiana .It was only a few years ago we connected and are swapping family photos.
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Forgot to add i am now married and am known as Trudy Wheat
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William McGarvey born 1880 died March 1900 aged 19 yrs in Liverpool.He is buried in Old Ford Burial ground where his father and grandfather are buried. His address was given as 22 Connell Street. Patrick died aged 2 so that only leaves children of Michael and Edward if July is connected to the family. I do not have a Robert in the family groupings I have.
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He was my great great uncle also... My grand father Patrick was his brothers son. Patrick above is my uncle!
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Edward Joseph was my Great Grandad too. The above entry makes no mention of Frances, who was also his daughter. She had only just been concieved when Joseph went to sea on the Titanic, so he didn’t know he had a child on the way. She was born on 21st December 1912. She often told me she was the very last person to receive funds from the Titanic fund. Frances was my Grandmother (nanna). Her eldest daughter, also Frances, is my mum. Sadly mum passes away in December last year, aged 86. I remember meeting ‘Aunty Maggie’ (Josephs daughter) a number of times, but I don’t remember meeting Henry, although that’s not to say I never met him, I just don’t remember. I do know mum used to speak of her Uncle Henry.
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