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 Nancy Hulme in Wigan RD in 1910. In 1911 he was living at 356 Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw, Abram, and working as a coal miner.

Sources
• 1. 1901 Census. 12 Off Houghton Street, Hindley. William Ainscough. Son. Age 13. Handling Hand, Colliery Underground. Born Blackrod. • 2. 1891 Census. 20 Little Scotland, Blackrod. William Ainscough. Son. Age 3. Born Blackrod. • 3. Marriage Registers. Ainscough, William & Hulme, Nancy. Dec. 1910. Wigan. 8c. 24. • 4. 1911 Census. 356 Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw, Abram. William Ainscough. Head. Age 23. Coal Miner Hewer. Born Blackrod.