Joseph Holding was born in 1863 in Haigh and was the son of William Holding (1818) and Ann Heyes. In 1871 he was living in Cale Lane, Aspull. In 1881 he was living at 10 Longfield Street, Aspull and working as a coal miner. He married Alice Brown in 1888. In 1891 he was living at 2 Collier's Row, Halliwell, and working in a stone quarry. In 1901, a widower, he was living at 16 Hoade Street in Hindley and was a coal miner.

Sources
• 1. 1881 Census. 10 Longfield St, Aspull. Joseph Holding. Son. Age 18. Coal Miner. Born Blackrod. • 2. 1891 Census. Cale Lane, Aspull. Joseph Holding. Son. Age 8. Born Haigh. • 3. 1901 Census. 16 Hoade St, Hindley. Joseph Holding. Head. Widower. Coal Hewer. Age 38. Born Haigh. • 4. Marriage Registers. Holding, Joseph & Brown, Alice. Jun. 1888. 8c. 465. Bolton.