Charles Allen was born 22 Mar 1824 in Heighington, Lincolnshire, and christened on 25 Apr 1824 in Washingborough, Lincolnshire, England, which I have confirmed. The 1881 UK census says he was born in Heighington, Durham, but he was was really born in the Heighington in Lincolnshire.

The earliest Allen in the tree now is Adam Allen, born about 1739, probably in Lincolnshire. Adam married Mary Walesby on 13 May 1787 in West Rasen, Lincolnshire. Their son Adam Allen was christened 21 Jun 1789 in Snelland, Lincolnshire, and married Ann Grundy (christened 14 Feb 1799 in Nettleham, Lincolnshire) on 20 Jun 1820 in Nettleham, Lincolnshire. Adam Allen and Ann Grundy are the parents of Charles Allen.

Charles Allen married Mary Jane Thompson in Washingborough, Lincolnshire, 21 Oct 1847. This is where the Allen and Thompson lines connect. Interestingly, Charles and Mary Jane were both born on March 22, five years apart.

Charles Allen arrived at Castle Garden on 15 Apr 1884 on the Helvetia, traveling by himself. He was 60 years old at the time, rather older than many other immigrants. Mary Thompson Allen arrived at Castle Garden on 26 Apr 1886 on the ship SS Bothnia, along with five of her children: William, Sarah Jane, Mary, Elizabeth, and John, who were all single at the time. It was very common for the husband to immigrate before the rest of the family, working until he had saved enough money to pay the rest of the family’s passage. On records like a census or ship manifest, the head of household (namely, the husband) was always listed first; but it is interesting to see that when Mary arrived with her children, her son William is listed first, like he is the head of the family. In the column for Calling (that is, occupation), William is listed as Mason, his mother Mary is listed as Married, Mary’s three daughters are listed as Spinster, and Mary’s 11-year-old son John is listed as Boy.

Charles and Mary Jane’s daughter Sarah Jane Allen married William Chapman, connecting the Allen and Chapman lines. See the Chapman page for a photo of Sarah Jane Allen and her husband William Chapman.

Another child of Charles and Mary Jane, Ann Allen, also immigrated, but a few years later, about 1889. At that time, she was married to Squire Robinson, and they had two young children with them (another child died in England). Ann and Squire Robinson moved around a bit, ending up in Ligonier, IN.

The first child born to Charles and Mary Jane, Eliza Allen, married Levi Lewis and remained in England.

Charles and Mary Jane had 6 other children, all of whom died in England. Child mortality was much higher back then of course, but it could also be that Charles and Mary Jane felt their children’s lives would be improved by moving here.