Can you help Liisa Macnaughton in her family history research?

Liisa Macnaughton, from Ottawa, Canada, is researching her ancestors – the Garth and Whitaker families who lived in Rochdale in the 1700s and 1800s.

Liisa is the great-great-great granddaughter of Charles Garth, who moved to Canada in 1826 with his parents, George and Sarah.

The earliest ancestor she has been able to trace back is John Garth (d. 1842), George’s father, who was a shopkeeper who lived on Toad Lane.

She said: “John Garth married Mary Kershaw in 1797 and they had six children: George (b. 1799), Ellen (b. c1816, d. 1841, married Peter Cooper and had five children), Julia (d. 1841, married John Maugs Gall), Mary, Reuben, and Nancy.

“George married Sarah Whitaker in 1820 (apparently her father lived on Drake Street at one point) and they moved to Canada with their son Charles (1822-1905) in 1826. They had six more children who were born in Quebec, Canada.

"I do know that as of 1905 there were still some of my extended Garth ancestors living in Rochdale as in the memorial book of Charles Garth there are some condolence messages sent by the Rochdale Garth cousins. I do not know the names of Sarah Whitaker's parents.”

She added: “It would be wonderful if I was ultimately able to connect with individuals with the surname Garth and Whitaker.”

If you can help Liisa in her research, or believe you may be related,  contact Liisa:

lmfamilyresearch@gmail.com