Oliver Ballard 1884-1895 Oliver was born in 1884, in Newbury, Berkshire, the illegitimate son of Eliza Jane Ballard, who was born in 1865, in Curridge, Berkshire, the daughter of Henry and Caroline Ballard (nee Pike/Pyke) who were married on the 15th January 1845 in Oare, Berkshire. Oliver’s mother Eliza Jane married George Shepherd on the 9th June 1889, in Thatcham, Berkshire. The 1891 census records Oliver Ballard (6), living in Newtown, Berkshire, with his mother Eliza (25) and his step-father George Shepherd (43), a Pit Sawyer. Oliver’s mother Eliza Jane died aged 29, on the 12th January 1895, she was buried on the 16th January, in Thatcham Cemetery. Oliver died aged 11, on the 30th December 1895, in the Newbury Workhouse. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 3rd January 1896. Newbury Weekly News Dated 9th January 1896 BALLARD – Dec. 30, at the Union Workhouse, Newbury, Oliver Ballard, aged 11 years

Sources: