Ellen was baptized in Blackburn on 21 Jul 1821 by William and Mary FORREST of Samlesbury. No baptisms were conducted in Samlesbury between 15 Jul and Sep 16 1821, perhaps the church or minister were unavailable.

Ellen's mother died in 1826 shortly after her sister Ann was baptized in Samlesbury by William and Mary FORREST of Mellor. Her father remarried, to Nancy ELLISON in 1832, and had a James, however her step-mother also died in 1838 and the family appears to have broken up.

In 1841 she was living in 'club houses' on Mellor Lane, the main East-West road through Mellor. She and the family she was staying with were all described as cotton weavers. Club houses were built by subscription to a building club, so the place name was likely a reference to a set of newly built cottages, possibly with weaving shops forming an integral part of the design.

Ellen's father's whereabout in 1841 has not be confirmed. He may have been living at Snig Brook, Blackburn and drowned himself in 1844; but he may have simply moved away. Ellen's younger sister, Ann, and half-brother James, were living with William and James FORREST - possibly their grandfather and uncle - at Wagtail, Duke's Brow.

By 1851 hand looms were being out-competed by power-looms and factories, and the Mellor population was moving away. Several of the families in the 'club houses' were in Blackburn, including some close neighbours who were giving lodgings to Ellen's half-brother James. It's possible that she was in contact with James, had made the introduction to the lodgings.

Ellen's whereabouts after 1841 can't be confirmed. No matching record of a marriage, census or death have been found after 1841. She may have changed her name and moved away, especially if the suicide theory is correct. Both her sister Ann and James stayed in Blackburn, but perhaps the details of their father's disappearance might have been withheld.