Robert William was born in Failsworth and his birth was registered in the second quarter of 1875, in Manchester.

His parents were William and Elizabeth McGuinness

Using the census returns we can go back further and find that William himself was the son of James and Catherine McGuinness, both of whom were born in Ireland according to the 1851 census. In 1851 William was recorded as being age 16

In 1851 William was living with his parents, older brother James and four younger siblings on Lower Mosley [Street?], in Manchester.

In 1861 William is recorded as a cooper, lodging in Stoneyford, Chapel en le Frith, Derbyshire. With him is his wife Eleanor and younger brother Anthony.

Ten years later, in 1871 he is still a cooper and visiting his brother, James, on Marshall Street, in Salford.

In 1881 William is living on Spectator Street, New Cross, Manchester. He is still recorded as a cooper. With him is his (2nd?) wife Elizabeth (born in Sheffield, Yorkshire) and 3 children all born in Manchester. Robert William is the middle child with an older sister Sarah Jane and a yonger brother Anthony.

In 1891 four more daughters have been added to the family ... Catherine born in Manchester and Beatrie, Charlotte and Hannah all born in Failsworth. The family are living on Holt Lane.

William, now 56, is recorded as a 'general labourer' and 16 year old Robert William as a 'collier' (coal miner)

He had served a 9 year term in the army and was now in the Army Reserve until June 1903..

In 1903 he was home in order to marry Harriet Davenport on the 3rd of October. .their marriage certificate tells us that he was a 28 year old bachelor, a collier and living at 244 Pole Lane, in Failsworth. His bride, Harriet was 24 and living at 364 Oldham Rd., Failsworth. Robert William states that he is a collier. .