James Ainscough was born in Blackrod around 1886 and was the son of Michael Ainscough (b. 1864) and Elizabeth Moore. In 1891 he was aged 4 and was living at 20 Little Scotland in Blackrod. In 1901 he was aged 15, working as an underground handling hand in a colliery and living with his parents at 12 Off Houghton Street in Hindley. He married Mary Holland in the wigan RD in 1908. In 1911 he was living at 110 Atherton Road, Hindley, and working as a coal miner underground.

Sources
• 1. 1901 Census. 12 Off Houghton Street, Hindley. James Ainscough. Son. Age 15. Handling Hand, Colliery Underground. Born Blackrod. • 2. 1891 Census. 20 Little Scotland, Blackrod. James Ainscough. Son. Age 4. Born Blackrod. • 3. Marriage Registers. Ainscough, James & Holland, Mary. Sep. 1908. Wigan. 8c. 57. • 4. 1911 Census. 110 Atherton Road, Hindley. James Ainscough. Head. Age 24. Coal Miner Hewer, underground. Born Blackrod.