Jane Colombo nee Evatt

Jane and Joseph

Jane Royle Evatt was born in Sheffield in September 1834. She was the first child of Henry Royle Evatt and Matilda Schwerer who had married in April 1834. She was baptised a Roman Catholic and her godparents' names can be seen in the Register: Michael Dignam and Marion Fowler.

Jane married Joseph Colombo in Leeds in 1855.

Joseph was Italian and a looking glass maker. According the census entries he was some 10 years older than Jane. He can be seen in the 1858 directory of Leeds, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield on pages 88 and 314 where he appears under Carvers and Gilders as Colombo Jph, Danby's ct, 90 Kirkgt.

In 1861 he states he is a Looking Glass Maker who was born in Lombardy in around 1824. In 1871 he has added that he employs 4 men and 7 boys and is a Nationalised British Subject. In 1871 they also have several boarders lodging with them who are all looking glass makers from Lombardy.

In 1881 the family are living at 48 Caledonian Road. They don't appear to have any Italian lodgers but Matilda, Jane's mother is staying with them. She is now a widow as Henry died earlier in that year.

In 1891 there are no visitors. There is Joseph, still a looking glass manufacturer, Jane and the three children. Their daughter Matilda is 33 with no occupation stated. John is a looking glass maker and Joseph is a Draper (apprentice.)

The National Probate Record has the following record for 1895: Colombo Joseph of 48 Caledonian Road Leeds Looking-glass manufacturer died 24 November 1894. Probate Wakefield 3 January to Jane Colombo widow and Matilda Colombo spinster. Effects pds 1611, 17s and 10d.

In 1901 Jane is still living in 48 Caledonian Street. Living with her is her daughter Matilda and Amy R Evatt, 20 year old general domestic servant. So Amy, who had had an illegitimate baby was living with her aunt while her half sister brought up her daughter.

Jane died in 1906. The National Probate Calendar for 1908 has the record: Jane Colombo of 48 Caledonian Road, Leeds Widow died 11 December 1906 Probate Wakefield 9 January to Matilda Colombo spinster and Joseph Colombo mechanical engineer Effects pds 1480 3s 1d

Their children

Jane and Joseph had a daugher Matilda and two sons John and Joseph. In 1911 Matilda and Joseph are living together in 48 Caledonian Road. Matilda, 53, is living on private means. Joseph,34, is a Bass-Baritone Vocalist. They are both single. John,44, is living in Bridlington with his wife Nellie and their 14 year old son Noel Colombo. John is down as a Traveller in Plate and Shot Glass, working for a Glass Merchants

The link leads to a pdf file which shows Four Postcards that survive from the period 1909 to 1922 and which were addressed to M and/or J Colombo at 48 Caledonian Road. The file may take a little while to download as it is 15MB.

Unfortunately it is not obvious who sent the postcards. They were quick notes to tell Matilda and/or Joseph that people had arrived or were about to arrive somewhere. Matilda and Joseph were clearly expecting these updates so there was no need for the sender to sign fully enough that someone like me, 100 or so years later, would be able to tell who the sender was!