VOL. 36 NOVEMBER 2014 No. 4 Ainsworth Brothers from Chorley

VOL. 36 NOVEMBER 2014 No. 4

AinsworthAinsworth brothers brothers from from Chorley Chorley Reproduced with kind permission from Chorley Borough Council Reproduced with kind permission from Chorley Borough Council

THE LANCASHIRE FAMILY HISTORY & HERALDRY SOCIETY Formerly Rossendale Society for Genealogy & Heraldry (Lancashire) Inaugurated 1973. Registered Charity Number 513437

President: Steve Williams Vice-Presidents: Rodney Hampson, JimTopping, Terry Walsh, Bill Taylor, A.Derrick Walkden, Rita Hirst, Peter W. Joslin, Tony Foster, Margaret Purcell

Visit our Website on www.lfhhs.org.uk Subscriptions: Ordinary Membership £14 Overseas Membership £16 Family Membership £15 UK Pensioners & Students £12 Renewals are due on the 1st January. Cheques should be crossed and made payable to Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Society and sent to the Membership Secretary.

MEETING VENUES BLACKBURN Ewood Park Working Mens’ Club, 318 Bolton Road, Blackburn BB2 4HY & DARWEN First Thursday of the month at 7.30 pm.

BURY Blackburne Hall, Church Hall, The Wylde, Bury BL9 0LA Second Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm.

CHORLEY Lecture Room, Chorley Library, Union Street, Chorley PR7 1EB Third Tuesday of the month at 7.30 pm.

FYLDE St. Martin’s Church, Fleetwood Road South, Carleton, Poulton-le-Fylde FY6 7NL Second Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm.

HERALDRY St. Stephen’s Church Centre, Bird Street, Preston PR1 8DY GROUP First Monday of the month at 7.30 pm.

HYNDBURN Accrington Library, St. James Street, Accrington BB5 1NQ First Tuesday of the month – 7.15 pm for 7.30 pm

IRISH ANCESTRY 2 Straits, Oswaldtwistle BB5 3LU GROUP Saturday Workshops 1 pm – 4.30 pm as per Branch Programme.

LANCASTER & The Church Hall, Church of the Good Shepherd, Torrisholme, Morecambe LA4 6NZ MORECAMBE Third Thursday of the month at 7.30pm

LONDON & Brompton Library, 210 Old Brompton Road, London SW5 0BS SOUTH Five meetings a year on Saturdays at 2.00 pm (see Branch Programme)

PENDLE & Colne Library, Colne BB8 0AP BURNLEY Third Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm.

PRESTON St. Leonard’s Hall, Marshalls Brow, Penwortham, Preston PR1 9HY Last Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm.

RIBBLE VALLEY Clitheroe Cricket Club, Chatburn Road, Clitheroe BB7 2AS Second Tuesday of the month at 7.30 pm

ROCHDALE St. Andrew’s U.R. Church, Entwistle Road, Rochdale OL16 2HZ Last Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm.

ROSSENDALE Longholme Methodist Church (opp.Bus Stn) Bacup Road, Rawtenstall BB4 7NU First Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm.

CONTENTS

Page 2 Branch Programmes

Members’ Articles – 3 William and John Westall (Pt 2 of 2)– Pauline Grimshaw 10 Family Timelines – Mike Coyle 14 The Impact of WW1 on a Chorley Family – Jane Ainsworth

19 Deaths Notified 19 Notes and News 24 Book & CD Reviews 26 Members’ Interests 34 Branch News

Pull out centre pages : Membership Renewal Form

Cover Picture:

Front: Ainsworth brothers from Chorley with kind permission from Chorley Borough Council

Back Heraldry

If you have a drawing suitable for the front cover, kindly forward to the Editor. Thank you.

All contents of this magazine are copyright of Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society and individual authors. No such content may be reproduced in any form unless prior permission to do so has been given by the Editor and the author/s concerned..

1 BRANCH PROGRAMMES

3 Nov Heraldry at Muncaster Castle – Peter Marshall 4 Nov Hyndburn – For King and Country – Steve Williams 5 Nov Rossendale – The Silent Cities of WW1 – Mary Davison 6 Nov Blackburn & Darwen – Remembering – Denise North 11 Nov Ribble Valley – The Petres of Dunkenhalgh – Les Hardy 12 Nov Bury – Maritime Records – Bill Taylor 12 Nov Fylde – Blackpool’s Lost Buildings – Ted Lightbown 15 Nov Preston – Family History Beginners Workshop 10.30-12.30 S. Ribble Museum & Exhibition Centre, Church Road, Leyland 19 Nov Chorley – Animals at War – Graham Stirrup 19 Nov Pendle & Burnley – For King and Country – Steve Williams 20 Nov Lancaster & Morecambe – Morecambe Library 2-3pm 26 Nov Preston – Family History Quiz and Jacob’s Join 26 Nov Rochdale – All Quiet on the Western Front – Lynne Nield 1 Dec Heraldry – Christmas Party 2 Dec Chorley – Golden age of comedy Part 1 – Brian Halliwell 2 Dec Hyndburn – Christmas Party and Social Evening 3 Dec Pendle & Burnley – Christmas Festivities (ticket only) 3 Dec Rossendale – Christmas Party 4 Dec Blackburn & Darwen – Christmas Food – Mike Coyle - followed by branch Christmas Party 4 Dec Lancaster & Morecambe – Festive Meal in Morecambe 6 Dec London & South – Members Meeting. 9 Dec Ribble Valley – Christmas Party + Keith & Paul’s Photo Quiz 10 Dec Bury – Christmas Party 10 Dec Fylde – Jacob’s Join and Quiz 10 Dec Rochdale – to be advised 13 Dec Irish – Advice & Research, Oswaldtwistle BB5 3LU 13.00 – 16.00 hours 6 Jan Hyndburn – Workshop 8 Jan Blackburn & Darwen – War Memorials; Rescue, Restoration and Relocation – Mike Coyle 13 Jan Ribble Valley – Bits & Pieces Film Night – Ken Parkinson 14 Jan Bury – Workshop 20 Jan Chorley – Markets to Supermarkets: Exploring 200 years Of shopping – Dr Mike Winstanley 28 Jan Rochdale – To be arranged 3 Feb Hyndburn – Skeletons in the cupboard – Bill Taylor 5 Feb Blackburn & Darwen – Gold Dust; Three Wallace Wills – Bill Taylor 10 Feb Ribble Valley – Local Quarries – Gordon Taylor

2 11 Feb Bury – Roman Catholic Genealogy – Jim Lancaster 17 Feb Chorley – Working class attitudes to work in the e20C – Dr Elizabeth Roberts 25 Feb Rochdale – Research Evening 3 Mar Hyndburn – AGM and Lancs BMD – Tony Foster 5 Mar Blackburn & Darwen – AGM – From Falmouth to Blackburn – John Shorrock 10 Mar Ribble Valley – AGM and Hello Friends – Brian Stott 11 Mar Bury – AGM 17 Mar Chorley – A History of Blackpool Illuminations – Richard Ryan Illuminations Manager

MEMBERS’ ARTICLES

WILLIAM AND JOHN WESTALL (Part 2 of 2) By Pauline Grimshaw (6839) The Manse, Church Street, Kearsley, Bolton BL4 9DD

William did not give up on education but continued his studies in such subjects as Latin and chemistry at evening classes run by Dr Bayley. Bayley’s evening classes became the fore-runner of ‘The Mechanics Institute’ a jewel in Accrington’s educational crown where working men of all ages could receive or extend their education. The imposing building in which it was housed until the latter part of the twentieth century is now an excellent local studies centre and an integral part of Accrington library. It says much for the thirst for knowledge, stamina and perseverance that the ordinary working man of that time possessed for it could be no easy matter to attend evening classes after a lengthy day labouring in a mill or a factory.

William went to ‘cottage study and discussion groups’ in the evenings with his father and also to Sunday School where it was the custom for adults to attend as well as children. In time young William became a member of the Sunday School teaching staff with his own class of young men and eventually one of the Superintendents. This was no mean feat or sinecure in a school that had four hundred or so pupils. He was also asked to be the secretary at the Mechanics Institute but declined – probably from shortage of time! He was however on the Board of Directors. By 1855 he had become a regular lay preacher at Accrington and gradually over the next few years extended his range to other societies in the Lancashire Area becoming an experienced and much sought after preacher. In 1863 he was asked by the society at

3 Bolton to become their full time minister. He was ordained in 1865 after studying (on the job!) with Rev. Woodville Woodman at Kearsley.

In 1868 he was invited to become minister of the Salford Society. In those days this would have been regarded as rather a prime appointment for Salford, although not as important as Peter Street, Manchester, had been one of the powerhouses of the early church in the Manchester Area. Yet the area in which the New Church Temple was situated was changing and was becoming no longer residential and so the congregation was slowly beginning to diminish in number. (Amazing that they had such problems in the 1870s!) In 1880 he moved to Middleton where he appeared to have been universally loved, respected and admired. I guess that this was the society ‘of his heart’ the society with which he had that really special relationship that perhaps only ever comes once in a ministerial career. He remained here as the minister until 1908 when in his eightieth year he finally retired due to the increasing frailty of his physical health!

In 1910 he appeared at the Failsworth Conference for the final time when it is recorded that ‘There was the well remembered afternoon at Failsworth, in 1910, when to the surprise of everyone he entered the church.’ This incident created a profound impression and the spontaneous and affectionate welcome he received must have very greatly gratified him.

His obituary written by Joseph Deans in the New Church Magazine lists his achievements and speaks of his sterling qualities.

“Mr Westall signed the Roll as a member of Conference in 1863 and was actually a member of it for forty seven sessions. His services were frequently called into requisition as a member of the Examining Board. He was a member of the Conference Council in 1874 and again in 1886. He preached the Conference Sermon at Liverpool in 1880. He was President in 1885 at Derby, and in 1895 at Glasgow. (On both occasions he won the goodwill of all his fellow members by his modest and courteous demeanour, and by his close and careful attention to all the details of the conference business.) He was made an ordaining minister in 1882 and in that capacity officiated at many ordinations. He was not a frequent speaker during the discussions at conference, but when he did speak was always listened to with interest and respect. His ministerial labours were practically confined to Lancashire and for many years he acted as a member of the committees of New Church institutions in that County.

4 So long as he was able to attend he was a welcome visitor to the coffee meetings held at Manchester and to the annual meetings of the Sunday School Union. He was an occasional contributor to the pages of the ‘New Church Magazine’ and his friends often regretted that he wrote so little for the press.

He was a fine example of the ‘dogmatic-catholic’ soul. Sure of his own ground and unflinching in his advocacy, he knew that other men had the same right as he had to hold and to spread their views. He had a warm regard for the leaders of the Church who went before him – men who in many sense had to bear the burden and heat of the day, he also had a warm place in his heart for the young workers in the Church and especially for the young ministers.

Personally I have to thank him for many kindnesses and much sympathy in connection with the early years of my ministerial career. In this respect I do not stand alone. The manner in which he has been welcomed whenever he made his appearance at public gatherings during the past few years has evidenced the deep respect and affection in which he was held.”

An obituary in ‘Morning Light’ tells us that ‘As a preacher he was always impressive, clear and luminous in his statements of doctrine, happy and homely in illustrations and never wanting in the earnestness that comes with deep convictions.’

An article in NCM for July 1895, prior to him becoming President of Conference during that year further expands on his work in the Manchester area.

“He has been long and honourably connected with the North of England Missionary Society and the Manchester Book and Tract Depot. He has been a manager of both institutions without break for more than a generation. He has also been one of the lecturers employed by the former and a writer of incisive statements of theological doctrine for popular reading. We have noted his life long connection with Sunday School work. He is and has long been a member of both institutions without break for more than a generation. He has also been one of the lecturers employed by the former and a writer of incisive statements of theological doctrine for popular reading. We have noted his life long connection with Sunday School work. He is and has long been a member of the Sunday School Union and has six times been called to its Presidential Chair”. I have read through many editions of the

5 Intellectual Repository and know that members of these bodies lectured ceaselessly in so very many places in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

And finally from Rev. J J Thornton to Albert Westall, William’s son: “Remembering your father and also his father in Accrington in my earliest days, I have always regarded him as one of my first friends in the New Church. His spirit seemed to be that of a true Christian worker, a philosopher and a follower of the Divine master, the only Lord. I rejoice with you in having had such a man as a father. He was always genuine; with nothing of either pretence or shallowness – a real man and although his modesty made him gentle, retiring and sympathetic – he had the nobility one could admire. It was from above that the power came that lifted him up on earth.”

Of course William accomplished all he did with the Lord’s power but also with the invaluable help of his wife Mary whom he married in 1853. In all the articles written about William, and for that matter his cousin John, his wife and family were never mentioned. Mary stayed in the background supporting William in his ministry and bringing up their five children. She fulfilled the social functions of a minister’s wife and, judging from a small article cut from the local paper, she was the leading light at organising fairs and bazaars and thanking people for their subscriptions. In 1903 the Westalls celebrated their golden wedding with a reception for all their friends and relatives at the Co- operative Hall in Middleton. They were presented with a silver tea service from the congregation at the Middleton Church and Mrs Westall was asked to say a few words as follows: ‘I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without thanking you all for this, which has come as a real surprise. My husband has worked well, and has earned this, and I hope I have been his helpmeet. Man is intellectual and clever; woman is gentle and affectionate; and the two make one. I hope our Heavenly Father will continue us in the work we have begun, and we shall go on to prosper in Church life.’ William said: ‘We have been married for fifty years and we are happier now than we have ever been.’ I like to think that Mary enjoyed presiding over the silver teapot as she entertained her friends and Church members!

Perhaps having now dealt with William exhaustively and perhaps having exhausted you all in the process I shall proceed now to think about John Westall. John Westall was the son of William Westall’s father’s brother Robert Westall. He was born in Accrington in September 1816 and was thus eleven years older than his cousin.

6 John’s mother Mary died in 1829 and in 1830 he emigrated with his father Robert to Lowell Massachusetts where he lived for seven years before moving briefly to Providence Rhode Island before settling at Fall River in 1838. At this time many people were leaving Lancashire for the New World as times were unsettled and the cotton industry was going through a bad patch as handloom weavers were being made redundant by automatic looms. It was a time of general unrest and spasmodic rioting. Generally the Lancashire immigrants settled in Massachusetts and in Rhode Island and using their spinning, weaving, dying and printing skills actually founded the textile industry in this part of the USA. Fall River became a mecca for emigrants from Accrington, Blackburn and Burnley. In the Juvenile magazine of 1842 a detailed report is given of a farewell given to some twenty persons leaving Accrington for the United States. The report implies that others had gone before them. Bayley himself encouraged emigrations and founded a local emigration society.

John, like his cousin William, had begun a working career in the block printing of calico, probably also at Broad Oak Works. He carried on his trade in the New World and found work as a designer at the American Print works where he was employed for the next thirty seven years. An excerpt from ‘The Phillips History of Fall River’ mentions that his good taste contributed much to the value of its products. He must have become very successful in his profession for he obviously had the means to travel extensively in his later years.

In 1839 he married Sophronia Wight. They had a daughter Florence who died in the first year of her life, Sophronia herself dying in 1849. He then married Julia Wight, who I assume was Sophronia’s younger sister and had another two daughters. Julia died in 1912 at the age of ninety two.

When John settled in Fall River there were a few receivers of the New Church doctrines, perhaps about ten or twelve, meeting at the home of a Miss Reynolds who led many of the meetings herself. The small group continued to meet in each other’s homes with John gradually taking the leading role and gradually growing steadily until in 1854 Rev. Thomas Worcester of Boston came to Fall River and instituted the small group as a society. John Westall was one of that first group of members. Eventually after a period of fifteen years in 1860 the young society managed to find a plot of land on Rock St., the main street and built their own small Church. In 1889 the Church was improved and decorated and at the reopening service the then minister Rev. George

7 Wheeler had this to say about John Westall in his early years in Fall River:-

“There came from England a young man who had his own pathway to make in the world, but who was destined to be a help, a Christian guide, and a means of inspiration to all with whom he came into contact. Possessed of a peculiarly reverent spirit, with the soul of an artist, with a mind which loved to express itself in poetry and song, because it is that form which best bespeaks the fragrance of human thought and feeling, he saw beauty in all God’s creation. He saw the good, the pure, and the lovely in every human being and in every human relation, and with the intensity of a strong nature, he strove to make the love of God and the beauty of holiness plain to his brother man. This young man was John Westall, - the pastor whom we now love and revere, - the pastor whose heart is with us, whose love follows us in all our undertakings, and whose Christian work is constantly bearing fruit about us, though now his hands are withheld from active effort.”

Even making allowances for Victorian rhetoric this bears testimony to how much John loved his congregation and how much that love was reciprocated. Yet it was not just within the New Church circle that John made his mark. His obituary in the Fall River Weekly News (of which newspaper he was editor for a time after its inception) details both his sterling character and the prominent part that he played in the development in his town:-

“Fall River never had a citizen held in higher or more general esteem, and few, if any, who have contributed more by act and by example in elevating the thought of the community and living for high ideals and nobler purposes. His life was always active and incessantly occupied in a performance of duty, both on its practical side and in its love of culture, in its broadest and fullest sense.”

Mr Westall was endowed by nature with a splendid intellect and a live and active constitution. He was high spirited, sensitive and eager to learn. His temperament was poetic, his tastes artistic and refined and he was attracted in early life to the sweet enjoyment of literature. His temper was amiable and gentle. His habits of life were methodical and his whole being imbued with the loftiest love of religion and the relations of the creator to mankind.

He was always very interested in educational matters and served for many years as a member of the ‘General School Committee’ of Fall

8 River devoting much of his time to the provision of public schools in the town. A new school, containing the first kindergarten class in that part of the world, when built in 1908 was named after him. He was also a trustee of the Fall River Athenaeum and the public library and in recognition of his literary achievements he was awarded an MA degree from Brown University. He was also active in the temperance movement and in the anti-slavery movement. He spoke to every company of soldiers that left Fall River to fight in the Civil War.

In 1862 and in 1875 John returned to England and stayed with his cousin William. He enjoyed travelling and travelled extensively in Europe on the first trip and on his second trip visited the Holy Land. A full report of his visit to the Holy land is to be found in the Juvenile Magazine where he gives a talk on his experiences to the young people at Salford.

John came to ministry late in life. After his travels of 1875 the members of the Fall River Church implored him to be their minister and so at the age of 59 he acceded to this request and went to study under Rev. John Worcester at the Theological School at Waltham. He graduated from there in 1879 returning to his own Fall River Congregation. At John’s funeral service Worcester spoke of his friend and student thus:-

“He was a man of gentle spirit, yet with no small measure of generous fire when his sympathies were stirred on behalf of the rights and liberties of man. He was a truly humble and religious man and though he was entirely convinced of the truth of the religious teachings which he himself adopted, his eyes and his heart were always opened to whatever seemed true and helpful in the religions of the world. He was innocent and thoroughly kind hearted and was never willing to impute intentional wrong to others but always ready to put a charitable interpretation upon whatever seemed wrong and to look with encouraging hopefulness to the future. In the general meetings of the church, which he attended constantly for many years his voice was ever the voice of the peacemaker.

He loved children and everything that was childlike and beautiful. Every flower in the field and every bright cloud in the sky told him some lesson of virtue or wisdom which he delighted to interpret in the language of simple poetry to children’s hearts.”

During the latter part of the eighties John’s physical strength began to fail and he developed a prolonged and debilitating illness. Rev. Clinton

9 Hay became pastor of the Fall River Church although John remained Pastor Emeritus until he passed into the spiritual world. ______

FAMILY TIMELINES By Mike Coyle

One way of recording family history in a concise, informative and comprehensive way is to layout the research you have done in a date order. There are many examples available of how it might be done best. Most, via a simple ‘Google’ search of ‘Timelines’.

They can be arranged to run vertically or horizontally, via a Spreadsheet or word processing package or PowerPoint Presentation. Perhaps the simplest are illustrated left: One advantage of using a Coyle Family Timeline Coyle Family Timeline simple Word Date Event Date Event Processor, is that the order

of dates can be

sorted easily and be

Horizontal/Landscape continuously updated.

Starting at today’s date Vertical/Portrait takes account of recent events and acts as an interest raiser for those members of the Family who might find your life’s work a little less interesting that you! I suggest you start at the current date and work down or to the right. Other columns and Rows might be added, to give more information too, as these on the right.

Coyle Family Timeline Coyle Family Timeline Eventually you might consider Date Event Info/ Date Photo Event more Info/ Photo sophistication by putting in

‘Hyperlinks’ to more information, photographs or documents.

10 If you are familiar with PowerPoint, then you might enhance the Timeline by the use of graphics – block arrows, word art, etc.

A further advantage in using standard office software means that you can publish your work easily in hard copy book form or as a web page for a website.

There are also a number of Samples using standard Software ‘Block Arrows’ in ‘Word’. packages that can be bought for the purpose. I haven’t used them myself, but they are well reviewed online. Cyndi’s List provides links to dedicated Family History Timeline software and templates, at: http://www.cyndislist.com/software/tools/timelines/ .There are more examples at ‘Progeny Genealogy’ at: http://progenygenealogy.com/products/timeline-charts/genelines- sample-charts.aspx and at ‘Simile Widgets’ http://www.simile- widgets.org/timeline/ others at; http://genealogy.about.com/od/timelines/a/genealogy-research- timelines.htm with step by step instructions at: http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com/2013/09/four-steps-to-family- history-timeline.html

Many of the Family History programs available also provide the facility to produce Timelines and its worth checking to see if one is built in. Programs like ‘The Master Genealogist’, ‘Reunion’, ‘Legacy’, ‘Family Tree Maker’ and ‘Roots Magic’ have a built in Timeline Chart or view available within, depending on the version you have. A further dimension can be added to provide colour and context to a Timeline by adding in or comparing the family Timeline with a chronology of local, regional, national or even international events. Wondering why an ancestor or his family moved location, or changed job, may all be answered by changes in technology or by looking at corresponding events in history. An event may provide the solution that ‘brick wall’ you may have faced. All the very best with your endeavours.

11 Coyle Family Timeline

Today we relish the prospect of a free bus pass that will take us, with little inconvenience, anywhere in the country. My father marvelled at the prospect of us travelling to Australia for a wedding or to Spain for a few pounds. When I graduated, I decided to take my first career move to the heady world of Heathrow Airport; my colleagues thought I was mad; it was like moving to the other side of the world.

So…. Just imagine, in the late 1850s travelling by foot and wind sail from the bad lands of Cavan and Meath to Darwen in Lancashire. My Coyle family were joining thousands of others in the shift from a rural survival to the undoubted prosperity of work in the Lancashire cotton towns. James Coyle travelled with his heavily pregnant wife Bridget and a small child. He was probably recruited by agents sent from the burgeoning cotton mills. We know that such folk operated, on a commission basis, in the rural areas of England ‘pressing’ rural workers into the mills of Lancashire and Yorkshire to avoid Poor Law commitments in poverty stricken small towns and villages. Families with working men, children capable of working and mothers able to give birth to potential employees were ‘persuaded’ by offers of work, accommodation and travel, often by barge or by open wagons to the industrial centres. In doing so they reduced the burden on the hard pressed parishes and ‘Poor Law’ officials of the rural areas.

1858, The family Coyle, James, Bridget with babies Bernard (2) and Patrick (under 1) arrived probably via Belfast and Maryport or Workington, into the Irish ‘ghetto’ in Haslingden, probably meeting up with relations or friends or neighbours from the hamlet or village ‘back home’. As far as we know, James avoided the rampant Irish politics of the time in that area.

It was April 1860 and the 3rd child Peter was born and the pull of relative prosperity at best and work at worst, moved the family again to the Darwen area. According to family lore, they moved ‘Up Sough’ probably to another Irish ghetto in what was a poor area. Work was available for a labourer in one of the local brickworks. James takes the opportunity. Bridget stays at home to look after the baby Peter and after 18 months Ann is born.

The 1871 Census shows the family in Tunnel Street in a rundown terrace. At 14 and 12 respectively, Bernard and Patrick are already

12 working in cotton mills. Ann is attending school, a real benefit of the move and increasing prosperity of the family.

By 1881 James is 65 and still working as a labourer in the Brickworks. Bernard is still in the mill though now as a ‘Cotton Weaver’. Patrick and Peter are now listed as Stone Quarryman and Stonemason, both taking advantage of the boom in house building. Ann is already working in a Mill. The family is prospering although their mother Bridget is curiously listed as crippled, ‘Walking on Hands and Feet’. She dies in Aug 1884 age 54. 1887 Peter marries Maria Jones of Bolton In 1891 James is a widower, living in a property in Greenfield Cottages (later to be Cranberry Lane) with Bernard and ‘Annie’. Peter has married Maria Jones and moved to Rifle St in Haslingden, he now has a son, James Edward, 7 months. Peter has property in Manchester Road, Grane Road and Queen Street.

By 1895 James Edward would be dead. Peter and Maria have already lost a daughter aged just 10 months in 1889. The story now becomes complicated as Peter and Maria have a rapid succession of children: Bernard in 1892, Ellen in 1894, Walter in 1896, Mary Agnes in 1899, Peter in 1900, and Rose in 1901. 1895 James Snr dies. Ann is married to Thomas Moran and they are living in James’ house in Cranberry Lane. They report the death.

In 1895 Peter moves to St Annes on Sea and according to anecdotal evidence he comes with the family to work on the new Star of the Sea Catholic Church in St Annes. Ellen, Walter, Mary Agnes, Peter and Rose are born in Nelson St (to become Holmefield Road). Peter Snr dies in 1901 aged 39. Rose dies in 1902 at 12 months old.

1913 Patrick (now a widower) emerges from the ‘dark’ and marries Mary Alice Knowles, a confectioner in Darwen and moves immediately to set up a retail business in Haig Rd Blackpool. He has been ‘missing’ since the 1881 census in Darwen. He is believed to have been living somewhere in the USA, probably with his sister in law’s family in and around Chicago. He has remained untraceable for the period from the 1881 Census till his marriage in 1913.

1915 both Bernard and Walter join the Royal Lancasters and serve on the Western front and Far East respectively. Bernard is killed at Arras in May 1917. Maria never gets over it. Walter reluctantly returns to St Annes in 1919 and marries Martha Rodgers, a Domestic Servant, in Aug 1921.

13 My father was born to them in Mar 1923 and a dynasty is continuing.

THE IMPACT OF WW1 ON A CHORLEY FAMILY By Jane Ainsworth e-mail: [email protected]

HENRY AINSWORTH (1808-1872) was a cotton spinner from Turton, where he married Catherine Holt and 10 of their 11 children were born. They moved to Chorley between 1853-1857 and lived in Wellington Street. All of their 11 children were cotton piecers, spinners or weavers. Some members of each of the next 4 generations of Ainsworths have lived (and still live) in Chorley or Euxton. My husband Paul’s great grandfather HENRY AINSWORTH (1853-1914) who worked in cotton mills and bleach works and lived in Eaves Lane died before WW1 started. His only son ARTHUR AINSWORTH (1887- 1973) managed to avoid being called up because he was working in the cotton industry in India.

However, it was a completely different story for Paul’s 2 x great uncle JOSEPH AINSWORTH (1843-1920) older and longer lived brother of Henry, who also worked in the cotton mills in Chorley. He lived in Wellington Street, next door to his parents and 2 brothers as they too married and had a family. It must have been a hard life for all of the family, forced to work long hours in the cotton mills for little pay. However, they seemed to be close and support each other; Joseph’s mother lived with them after she was widowed.

Joseph’s first wife Ellen Greaves (1846-1876) had died after they had been married for only 8 years but they had no children. Joseph married again in 1877 at the church of St Laurence in Chorley to Mary Heald (1853-1934) and they had 11 children, all apparently baptised at St Laurence Church. Tragically by 1895 they had lost 5 of these children under the age of 8 years: Charles (1), Mary (8), Elizabeth (0), Margaret (0) and Mary Ann (3).

As family historians we encounter many such deaths and it is too easy to be blasé about them but we ought to remember that our ancestors’ sensibilities would have been similar to ours and each death of a child from whatever cause would have been devastating. (I had the misfortune to suffer the sudden death of my first great niece at the age of 22 months in April 2013 and my feelings of loss were and still are overwhelming). It is against the natural order of life for children to die

14 first; it seems senseless, unfair and wrong. Parents inevitably feel guilt, even when they clearly shouldn’t, in case they could have done something to prevent or change the outcome…

When WW1 started, Joseph and Mary had 4 sons who all responded to the ‘call of duty’; Henry, Jonathan, Eli and Joseph. Their 2 daughters Sarah and Catherine most probably remained at home until they married after the war ended. However proud they must have been of their sons serving their King and Country, they must have been frightened for their wellbeing and constantly anxious about whether they might be killed in action – as would their 2 sisters. Two sons were killed in 1915, one in 1917 and just one survived.

My aim here is not to tell the war history of these 4 young men as this has been done already with great expertise by Chorley branch and Adam Cree in particular, using the wonderful Chorley Memorial Books produced by the amazing Susannah Knight. I want to focus on how they and their family must have felt at the time.

I can only guess at the emotional impact on Joseph and Mary of 3 more premature deaths of their children in war about 10 years after losing 5 ‘babies’ and the devastating effect on each of the siblings.

It is difficult now to understand what it would have been like to live in a time of patriotism (jingoism), when there was a lack of recognition of the psychological impact of war on soldiers – especially the fear, noise, cold, wet, discomfort (not least from lice and rats in the trenches), tedious and inadequate diet, hard physical effort and witnessing injury or loss of close friends – and an inability to deal with shell shock. Those who returned home must have felt isolated by the public discouragement of talking about the harsh reality of war or their own reluctance to relive the horrors they witnessed, putting on a brave face. They were deprived of the opportunity to receive some emotional support even from their closest relations. What practical or other support, if any, did they get from ‘the state’? Those who had faith probably received comfort from their local Church and Joseph’s family were actively involved with St Laurence Church.

With these pressures how did parents and other family members cope with the loss of their son, brother, husband or father? Too many parents lost more than one son and for many people the men of the family were the main breadwinners. Did they feel as we do now that most of the lives of the young men from this generation were wasted

15 as ‘cannon fodder’ in a badly organised war or did they genuinely feel a sense of honour at their sacrifice for King and Country?

The reality must be that they felt enormous grief at their bereavement. They did not have the usual closure from at least being able to arrange a decent funeral and burial of their loved one close to home. Most relatives would have been unable to visit the War Cemeteries and Memorials in other countries, when they were eventually completed.

Their pain was compounded by various factors; many soldiers were ‘missing in action’ for a long period before letters from the Army confirmed they had died; details of most causes and circumstances of deaths were unknown allowing no honest reassurance that their loved one had not suffered; many soldiers’ bodies were destroyed with no known graves and a lot had lost their flimsy identity tags so that they could not have a proper burial resulting in so many lists of names on Memorials; a large number of bodies were buried temporarily (even by the enemy) in the heat of action then had to be moved when proper War Cemeteries were created.

The number of deaths was so enormous that letters from the Army were in standard formats, completely insensitive and de-personalised in the letters I have read. I imagine that few relatives of ordinary soldiers actually received a visit from Army personnel to break the news gently. It must have been a cruel shock to receive one of these letters and perhaps even more cruel to be sent the personal possessions with blood soaked uniforms.

THE FATES OF FOUR BROTHERS Joseph Ainsworth (17.6.1894-15.6.1915 aged 21) served in France as a Private in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was missing in action before being confirmed killed in an operation at night just 2 days before his 22nd birthday. His name is on Le Tourette Memorial in France. Joseph was the youngest of the four brothers – the youngest in the family – but the first to die. His Service Records were badly damaged by fire and water from the bombing of the National Archives in WW2 so I do not know when his parents were informed that he was missing or when they were told that he had been killed. However long the gap it must have been fraught with tension fearing that Joseph was dead but hoping that he might survive, even if injured. It is poignant that he died so close to his birthday. His mother would have carefully assembled a parcel to send to him at the Front containing some of Joseph’s favourite things and probably including items of clothing made

16 by her and his 2 sisters. They must have all wished that they could celebrate it together as a family at home as they had no doubt done before the war started.

Henry Ainsworth (24.2.1878-28.8.1915 aged 37) served in Gallipoli as a Private in the Connaught Rangers. He was also missing in action before being confirmed dead just before fighting ceased and troops evacuated by the end of the year. His name is on Helles Memorial in Turkey. Henry was ‘stout and strong’ with ‘false front teeth upper and lower’ according to his badly damaged Service Records. It seems that no personal effects were found to send to his parents. The oldest of the family, Henry was second to die and only 10 weeks after his youngest brother Joseph. Again I do not know how long Henry’s parents had to wait on tenterhooks to find out that missing meant killed in action but they were most unfortunate to suffer two such deaths so close together.

Eli Ainsworth (17.5.1889-13.5.1917 aged 27) served in France as a Corporal in the East Lancashire Regiment. On 1 July 1916 he was wounded with an arm and leg broken. After his return to the Front he was gassed and killed just 4 days before his 28th birthday. His name is on the Arras Memorial. Eli was one of the most distinguished of the French scholars of the ‘Pals’ Company. He was the third brother to be killed but no body was found to bury, piling yet more anxiety and grief on his long suffering parents. Again they had the added pain of it being so near to his birthday for which they would have prepared a special parcel.

Jonathan Ainsworth (7.8.1877-?) served in France for nearly 5 years and was a Corporal in the County Palatine Royal Field Artillery. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and a report was sent to the London Gazette. It must have been very difficult for Joseph to learn about the deaths of his 3 brothers, all serving in different Regiments, while he was dealing (very bravely) with the stressful task of managing a group of soldiers while fighting and trying to keep going himself. When he returned home at the end of the war he may well have felt the guilt of a survivor and the burden of now being the only son in the family in addition to the grief of losing all of his brothers.

I hope that Joseph and Mary Ainsworth and their 3 remaining children – Jonathan, Sarah and Catherine – continued to have a close relationship and to support each other. I am glad that all three of

17 them got married and they certainly deserved to be happy after all they had been through.

I do not know whether any of them had children and if there are living relations, but if there are I am very interested to find out and would appreciate it if any of them could make contact with me.

My husband’s father was Peter Gabriel Ainsworth (1923-2010) and he worked at the Royal Ordnance Factory after leaving school, and until he was called up in 1942. Peter was in the Home Guard and we understand that he was involved in the construction work at the factory. After being called up Peter served as a tank driver.

Should anyone come across his name and want more background information, please feel free to get in contact with us.

NB Photographs of the 3 brothers who were killed in WW1 are from scanned pages of the Susannah Knight Memorial Albums and are reproduced by the kind permission of Chorley Borough Council.

S I W by Wilfred Owen

Patting goodbye, doubtless they told the lad He’d always show the Hun a brave man’s face; Father would sooner him dead than in disgrace, - Was proud to see him going, aye, and glad. Perhaps his Mother whimpered how she’d fret Until he got a nice, safe wound to nurse. Sisters would wish girls too could shoot, charge, curse, … Brothers – would send his favourite cigarette, Each week, month after month, they wrote the same, Thinking him sheltered in some Y.M. Hut, Where once an hour a bullet missed its aim And misses teased the hunger of his brain. His eyes grew old with wincing, and his hand Reckless with ague. Courage leaked, as sand From the best sandbags after years of rain. But never leave, wound, fever, trench-foot, shock, Untrapped the wretch. And death seemed still withheld For torture of lying shelled, At the pleasure of this world’s Powers who’d run amok. (verse 1)

DEATHS NOTIFIED

Sheila Whittle – Pendle & Burnley Edna Simpson – Pendle & Burnley

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the above.

NOTES AND NEWS

CHORLEY FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH CENTRE Astley Hall Farmhouse, Hallgate, Astley Village, Chorley PR7 1XA

Anyone who has visited Astley Park in recent months will realise the scale of the work done at the Farmhouse by Chorley Council. The age of sections of the building, and the impossibility of knowing exactly how it had been constructed slowed progress.

Now open after refurbishment! On two floors with a Research room, Library, Training/Meeting room, Kitchen, Toilet on the first floor.

The ground floor has a Research/Training/Meeting room, which will be open access/disabled friendly.

Opening Hours: Monday 10.00am – 4.00pm Wednesday 10.00am – 4.00pm Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm Second and third Saturdays 12.00 – 4.00pm

Phone: 01257 231600 when open 01257 262028 when closed Any updates on times will be shown on LFHHS.org.uk ______

MEMBERS’ SURNAME INTERESTS

Surname Interests are now also available on the Society website in addition to the journals.

Where to find them: On the Home Page is a green panel telling you about our latest upgrade – Surname Interests. You can simply click the box to access Surname Interests. They can also be reached from ‘The Society’ page where there is a button on the left hand side which gives access to Surname Interests.

How it works: For the last two or three years we have been collecting Members’ Surname Interests to also build up a database of these interests. This has now reached a number where we feel it worth making the details available for searching through the Society website.

The names will be made available to everyone looking at the website, not just LFHHS members.

Enter the name you are searching for. All matches will be displayed showing, where held, the membership number of the member who owns the record, the surname, the location or town, the county, the time period the entry covers and in a few cases the occupation.

There is an option for the enquirer to download the records into a .csv file which can easily be loaded and viewed in Excel.

If a member asks for further information on a surname record they will be asked to enter their name and address which will then be held and registered on the website. After verifying that the person is indeed a current paid up Society member, the Society Members’ Surname Interest Coordinator will send an e-mail to the person who has placed the record on the website notifying them that another member is interested in contacting them about their family member and giving the contact details.

If the contact is from someone who is not a member then the Surname Interests Coordinator will e-mail them advising that details can only be passed on to paid up Society members and inviting them to consider joining the Society to be able to take advantage of the scheme.

What Do I Do? Type in the surname you want to check and if it exists on the website database the website will display all entries held that match the record of the surname you want more information about.

20 If the name is not found then the system will display a ‘Warning’ message telling you that the name you have inputted does not exist and suggesting that you try alternative spellings or try using Wildcards such as “*” or “?”.

Optionally by entering a location it will provide all surnames at the location.

Wildcards The search routine is capable of supporting searches including wildcards (and substrings) such as “*” or “?” so searching for “Cap*” will display instances of “Capstan”, “Cape” or “Capital” for instance and search for “Cap?” would similarly display “Cape”. The asterisk “*” searches for any before or after the asterisk whereas the “?” searches for the first character before or after only or if you want more than one use more “?”s e.g. Smith* will return Smithson, Smithwood, or Smithy or Smith but “smith?” will only return “Smith” or “Smithy” – to use the wildcard “?” and find “Smithwood” you would need to enter “Smith????”. A search for “*ith*” will find all varieties of Smith but also anything else containing the “ith” in the middle of it.

Why not send in your Interests? If you have not submitted your Surname Interests in the last three years, or wish to add further names, perhaps now is the time to do it to take advantage of the new website search facility. Download the form from the Members’ Only area of the website and send the completed form to Mrs Jennifer Benson at 32 Slater Lane, Leyland PR25 1TN or e- mail: [email protected]

My Surname Interests do not appear in the list – Why? If you submitted your details more than three years ago we do not have permission to share them. At that time we changed the form to include permission for us to hold and share the data to meet Data Protection Act requirements. If your Surname Interests were submitted prior to this you will need to resubmit them on the new form. ______

RICHARD ARKWRIGHT PAMPHLET By Michael Airey (9651) E-mail: [email protected]

My grandfather lived in Lees, Oldham and according to my mother owned two cotton mills, The Owl in Leesbrook and the Stamford Mill in Ashton u Lyne.

21 I have this pamphlet of Richard Arkwright which he bought at auction and was hanging in his office during the 1920s.

Unfortunately he went under in the depression and lost mills, house and his bank account! Declared bankrupt he paid all debts till he recovered in 1940 as solvent.

The pamphlet was on loan to Manchester museum for some years by my mother until in 1970 she immigrated to the USA and gave it to me for safekeeping. Wording as follows:

Richd Arkright Peruke maker

Hair Cutter &c in Bolton Lancashire

In the neatest and best fashion

Makes all sorts of Perukes, ladies tates and locks. Where also may be had ready made Several sorts of Cut, curl, scratch & dress bob perukes at reasonable rates.

N.B. the right daffys, Elixer, godfreys, cordial Hadfies bottle &c

W. Barlow Sculp Bolton ______

Just to remind you ... Membership subscriptions are due for renewal on 1 January I am very happy to receive renewals before that date, as this helps to spread the workload. Please renew by 14 January 2015, so that you get your next issue of the journal on time. Sending out reminders later in the year is costly to the Society. You will find a renewal form in the centre pages of this journal. Please send your form and payment to: Sue Foster, Membership Secretary, 18 Glencross Place, BLACKPOOL, FY4 5AD

22 Members who pay by Standing Order do not need to fill in the renewal form, but please let me know if you have recently changed your address, telephone number or email address, so that I can keep our membership records up to date. Overseas members may pay three years’ subscriptions at once. Payment can be made online either through the Society website www.lfhhs.org.uk or else on GENfair . The Renewal Form includes an opportunity to receive an electronic version of the Journal in 2015 by e-mail in addition to the paper version. Following requests from members keen to save the environment, for the first time the Renewal Form includes an option to receive the electronic version instead of the paper version. Please ensure that you include your current e- mail address. Those who registered for the electronic version in 2014, and wish to receive it in 2015, must register their interest again for 2015. We also invite members to offer their skills by stating what they can offer on the renewal form. For those living near to Oswaldtwistle, building and decorating skills would be welcome. For all we would be pleased to learn of skills such as legal, websites, transcribing etc. For those of you, who pay by standing order, and wish to receive an electronic version, please e-mail me separately. Gift Aid If you pay UK Income Tax, please consider completing the Gift Aid form if you have not previously done so. Using Gift Aid means that for every pound you give, we currently get an extra 25 pence from HM Revenue & Customs. If you have previously made a Gift Aid declaration and your circumstances have changed such that you no longer pay tax, it is important that you advise me to cancel your declaration.

23 Family members may share the Gift Aid declaration, in which case it is assumed that the share is equal. Both family members nominated must be taxpayers in their own right.

If you are not sure whether your subscription is already Gift Aided, (or indeed, if you have any other queries about your membership) you can contact me at the above address or:

Email: [email protected] Tel: 01253 694783 ______

BOOK & CD REVIEWS

NEW CDs CD030 Heraldry in the Victoria County History of Lancashire This is an alphabetical listing of armigers whose arms are depicted in The Victoria County History of Lancashire, and the blazons thereof. Also some corporate heraldry (civic, ecclesiastical etc.) and a list of seals. Heraldry enthusiasts will notice the different spellings for the same charges. These are, no doubt, as shown in the original sources. There are some errors, however! What self-respecting armorist would write the words “Gold” and “Silver” in a blazon? – or show a mullet of five points upside down without mentioning it in a blazon? The dedicated armorist will no doubt check with other sources of heraldic information. Price £4.50 (plus p&p) CD031 Monumental Inscriptions & Images 1812-2012 for the West Bradford Churches, Lancashire This CD contains the monumental inscriptions for the three West Bradford Churches – Old Methodist Graveyard, the Methodist Church and St. Catherine’s. Along with the MIs the CD includes images of all of the gravestones. Price £9.50 (plus p&p) CD032 MIs & Images Mellor Methodist Church Methodist Church, Mellor, Lancashire: Memorial Inscriptions and Images 1809 – 2012. Apart from the inscription the CD contains a name and place index along with over 800 images. The images can be viewed by clicking the hyperlink associated with the inscription. Price £9.50 (plus p&p)

LANCASHIRE FAMILY HISTORY & HERALDRY SOCIETY Membership Form Please send this form, with the Gift Aid Declaration, if completed, to Sue Foster 18 Glencross Place, Blackpool, FY4 5AD Membership No. (if known) …..……..……….... Lancashire Family History & Heraldry Society Title for address label (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Mr & Mrs/Other) ………...... ………. Registered Charity No. 513437 Surname ……………………………………………...... …… GIFT AID DECLARATION Forename(s) ……………………………………………………………...... ………..... If you pay UK Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax, you can make your Address ..……………………………………………………...…...... ……………………………………. subscription worth more to the Society at no cost to yourself. Using Gift Aid ...... ………….…………………………………...…...... means that for every pound you give, we get an extra 25 pence. …………………………………………………………………………….....…...... ………………………..…. Please treat all donations/subscriptions I/we have made today and in the future until I/we notify you otherwise as Gift Aid donations. Postcode…...... Tel No…………………………………………………….. I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or e-mail address ……………………………………………...…………………...... …………………….. Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least Which LFHHS Branch(es), if any, might you attend? ………...………………...... … equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs(CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that Which LFHHS Branch areas cover your research interests (see map)? tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I give. Type of membership ……………………………………………………………………………………… Please send the pdf version of the journal to my e-mail address Membership No. (if known) ...... in addition to the paper version.  tick Title ……………… Surname …………………………......

Please send the pdf version of the journal to my e-mail address Forename/s ………………………...... …...... …. instead of the paper version  tick Full Home Address...... ……………………...... I can offer the following skills: ………………………………………………………………………….. .………………………......

I enclose a cheque (payable to LFHHS) for £……………(Pounds Sterling only) ...... …..Postcode…………………………….. I will pay by credit card. VISA or MASTERCARD only (please circle which) Signed ………………………………………………………..…… Date ………………….………......

Amount £………...... In words …………………………………………………………………….. You can cancel this declaration at any time by notifying the Society. If in the future your circumstances change and you no longer pay sufficient tax on your Card number income and/or capital gains, you must cancel your declaration.

LANCASHIRE FAMILY HISTORY & HERALDRY SOCIETY www.lfhhs.org.uk (Registered Charity number 513437) RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP Membership renewal is due on 1 January 2015 and it would be appreciated if you would complete the renewal form and send it with your payment as soon as possible to the Membership Secretary at the address below. If you pay by standing order, you do not need to fill in the renewal form, but please let the Membership Secretary know if you have recently changed your address, telephone number or email address. You can request a copy of the electronic version of the journal in addition to or instead of the paper version. Please consider completing the Gift Aid form if you have not previously done so. If you have any queries about your membership, or about Gift Aid, please contact Sue Foster, Membership Secretary, 18 Glencross Place, Blackpool, FY4 5AD

email: [email protected] Tel: 01253 694783

Subscription Rates:

Ordinary UK Individual below State retirement age £14.00 Family UK All members of the household living at the same address. All may attend meetings. Only one journal to the household address. £15.00 Pensioner UK State retirement age or over £12.00 On line applications Student UK In full-time education £12.00 A facility for secure online payment of your membership Overseas Residents outside the UK. The “Lancashire” subscription is available through our website shop or GENfair. journal is sent by airmail £16.00 Please check out our website at www.lfhhs.org.uk or for a link to the GENfair website, through which you can pay using your credit Overseas members may pay three years’ subscriptions at once. or debit card, go to: At the same time have a look at the Society's CDs and books. You can pay by UK cheque or credit card, but please pay by cheque if possible, as this helps us to keep our costs to a minimum. Online Those paying online and wishing to apply for an electronic version payment can now be made through the Society website of the journal will need to e-mail me at: www.lfhhs.org.uk or through GENfair at: . . Payments please in Pounds Sterling only.

email: [email protected] Tel: 01253 694783

Subscription Rates:

Please notify the Society if you change your name or home address while the declaration is still in force. Name on card (BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE) Expiry date ……./ ……. Please Note: The membership data are held on computer. The data will only be ……………………………………………………………………………………………… used for the circulation of Society literature and for membership checking purposes. No data from the computerised records will be disclosed to any other parties by the Society unless required to do so by law. Signed ……………………………………………… Date ………………………… Revised 24 Sep 2014 CD033 Heraldic Glass, Preston Minster This CD contains the images of the Coat of Arms illustrated in the 37 windows of the Minster Church of St John the Evangelist Preston. In addition the blazon of each arms is given. Price £4.50 (plus p&p) This publication is also available as a booklet £2.00 (plus p&p) Orders should be sent to: LFHHS, 2 Straits, Oswaldtwistle BB5 3LU

Payment with order please, cheque made payable to LFHHS

These CDs can be ordered via our on line shop at www.lfhhs.org.uk

JAMES DIXON’S CHILDREN THE STORY OF BLACKBURN ORPHANAGE By Melanie Warren Gazelle Books, Price £9.99 (all profits from sales of this book will go to Child Action North West) ISBN: 978-1-85586-17-9

This book is about the life of James Dixon, who was born in Scotland in 1855 to working class parents and who came to Blackburn in his early 20s to find work. He was a religious young man and he very quickly became concerned about the level of poverty amongst his Sunday school pupils. From then on he devoted his life to the children of the town – and was instrumental in the founding of firstly a Ragged School, then a small home for boys and girls and finally an Orphanage.

Luckily James Dixon was a meticulous record keeper and in 2010, a wonderful archive of registers, daily occurrences and photographs of life in the Orphanage was discovered in the basement of the Orphanage building. There are details of individual children and of the staff who were employed. There are the letters received from children who had left the Orphanage and been placed into jobs – and letters from those who were serving in the forces during the First World War, after all these young people were effectively ‘writing home’. In addition to all this, there is also the personal diary of James Dixon. There was a wealth of available information from these archives for the author to share with her readers, but despite this, there are only 150 pages in this book. There should have been more. Nevertheless it provides a useful insight into the social conditions of a mill town in the

25 late 19th and early 20th centuries – as some of the case histories of the children describe the poverty that many families endured. It is also a true story of a remarkable man.

Reviewed by June Dowling ______

MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

WILL MEMBERS KINDLY ENSURE ALL NAMES AND ADDRESSES ARE IN BLOCK CAPITALS WHEN FORWARDING ITEMS FOR INCLUSION IN ‘LANCASHIRE’. THANK YOU. ______Shirley Ann Langham, (9414) 10 Lister Street, Accrington. Lancs BB5 1TA E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01254 384419 COX SOM Wanstrow 1713 WARBURTON LAN Edenfield 1559+ YEOMAN SOM Wilton 1634 ______James Barcroft (10033) 41 Menteith Drive, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 8RR Tel: 01383 738024 BARCROFT/ BERCROFT Any Any 16C+ ______Karen Lyons (7389) 425 College St., Palmerston North, 4410 NZ Tel: 64 06 3587688 ASPINWALL LAN Lathom 1710+ AGAR YKS Danby 17/18C BOWYER CHS Macclesfield 18C BOWYER/ BOOR/BOAR STS c.Leek 17/18C BOYES NRY c.Loftus 18C BROADY/BRADY LAN Manchester m.19C BROADY/BRADY LOG e.19C BRUNDRETT CHS Etchells 17C BRUNDRETT CHS Bowden 18/19C BRUNDRETT LAN c.Bamber Bridge l.19C COOPE/COUPE LAN c.Penwortham 19C COOPER LAN Rufford 17C CROKER SOM East Lambrook l.18C DISLEY LAN Rufford 18C

26 DOBLE SOM East Lambrook l.18C FI(Y)LES LAN c.Rainford 18C GOURLAY LKS Rutherglen l.18C HASLAM LAN Poulton-le-Fylde 18C HESKETH LAN Croston 18C HIGGINBOTHAM LAN Salford e.19C HIGGINBOTHAM CHS Macclesfield 19C HODKINSON CHS Macclesfield e.19C HODSON LAN c.Kirkham l.18C HODSON LAN Preston 19C HOLLAND KER 18C HOLLAND LON 19C HUNTRESS/ HUNTRODES NRY Loftus 17-19C HULME STS c.Leek 18C JOHNSON STS Leek 1750+ LELD NRY Egton 17/18C LEADLEY/LAIDLER NRY c.Hinderwell 18C LINL(E)Y LAN Lathom 18C LOGHLIN CLA e.19C MARSDEN LAN c.Walton-le-Dale 19C MARSDEN LAN Ashton in Makerfield 18C MARSHALL NRY Danby 17C MILLS CHS c.Bowden 18C MILLER NRY Guisborough m.18C NELLIST NRY Danby 1590+ NIXON STS Leek 1760-1800 O’LOUGHLIN CLA l.18C/e.19C OXLEY NRY Guisborough 18/19C QUICK LAN Preston 19C QUICK LAN Liverpool l.18C QUICK STS Stoke on Trent 19C ROYLE CHS c.Macclesfield 19c ROYLE STS Leek 18C SAYERS MDX London m.19C SAYERS ESK Aveley e.19C SCOT(T) NRY Lythe 18C SLAYTER LAN Walton-le-Dale 18C SMALEY LAN Rufford 18C STOCKDALE LAN Penwortham 19C STOCKTON LAN Penwortham 19C THOMAS NRY Loftus 19C TURPIN NRY Danby 16/17C

27 WELLEM LAN Manchester l.19C WELLEM Poland 19C WHITTLE LAN c.Walton-le-Dale 18/19C WIGNALL LAN Rufford 18C WILLIAMS LAN Manchester, Bolton l.19C/e.20C WILSON LAN Preston 1830+ WILSON LKS Rutherglen e.19C WINSPEAR NRY c.Danby 18/19C YATES STS c.Horton 18C ______Derek Tomlinson (10411) Flat 16 Rougemont, East Hill Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 1LS Tel: 01983 811322 CASSON LAN Broughton West c.1840 DOCKERAY LAN Yealand 19C ESCOLME LAN Kirkby Lonsdale c.1886 ESCOLME LAN Morecambe c.1856 JACKSON LAN Yealand c.1828 TOMLINSON YKS Lower Bentham c.1831 TOMLINSON LAN Warton c.1874 TOMLINSON LAN Heysham c.1919 ______Kathy Frith (10384) 4 Richmond Park, Taunton TA1 5LL Tel: 01823 332196 MILLS LAN Rossendale 1800+ WALLS LAN Rossendale 1860+ ______Christine Waring (10405)159 Casterton Ave., Burnley. Lancs BB10 2PF Tel: 01282 413773 BALMFORTH LAN Bury 18/19C BATTY YKS Wakefield 19C CAWLEY LAN Burnley 19C CHEETHAM LAN Prescott 19C NOBLE LAN Burnley 19C WARING LAN Burnley 19C WHITEHEAD LAN Manchester 19C ______Chris Birch (10383) Pennon Farmhouse, Langham Lane, Gillingham. Dorset SP8 5NT Tel: 01747 823641 ASHWORTH LAN 1850+ BRIERLEY LAN 1840+ FENTON LAN 1850+

28 FENTON USA Nebraska, Gage County, Blue Springs, Wymore 1870+ HOWARTH LAN c.Bury, c.Heywood, c.Rochdale, c.Castleton 1840+ LIVSEY LAN c.Bury, c.Heywood, c.Rochdale, c.Castleton Manchester 1840+ LIVSEY USA Nebraska, Gage County, Blue Springs, Wymore 1880+ MATTHEWS LAN Castleton 1850+ TAYLOR LAN 1870+ TAYLOR USA Nebraska, Gage County, Blue Springs, Wymore 1840+ ______Mrs Susan Brown (10301) 51 St Helens Ave., Benson, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 6RU Tel: 01491 837885 E-mail: [email protected] CUDDY LAN Stacksteads 1901-1930 ______Carole Turner (201) Chapel House, Burnside, Addingham, West Yorkshire LS29 0PJ BERRY LAN Little Marsden 18/19C BERRY YKS Thornton in Craven 17/18C BIVENS COR St. Ives 18C BLEZARD LAN Little Marsden 19C BLEZARD YKS Bowland 17/18C BRENNAND YKS Slaidburn 18C BROWNE YKS Thornton in Craven 18C CLAYTON LAN Habergham Eaves 18C DALLIN DEV Berrynarbor 16/17C DEWHURST LAN Colne 18/19C DOWNHAM YKS Slaidburn 18C DRIVER LAN Burnley 18C EASTHAM LAN Mitton 18C EATHAN COR St. Erth 17C

29 EDWARDS COR St. Hilary 18C FISH LAN Blackburn 19C FISH IRE Downpatrick Co.Down 18/19C HALFORD NOR Finedon 18/19C HALFORD HUN Hamerton 19C HENDRA COR Gwinear, Perranzabuloe 16-18C JEWELL DEV Berrynarbor 16C JONES FLN Gwaenysgor 18/19C ______Colette Rottcher (10335) P O Box 796, Kloof 3640 South Africa BARON LAN Little Bolton 1808-1864 BARON LAN St Paul, Bolton 1856-1900 HOLT LAN St Peter, Blackburn 1859-1900 LITTLEFAIR LAN Blackburn 1868-1922 QUINLAN LAN Blackburn 1892-1958 QUINLAN LAN St Thomas, Blackburn 1864-1900 WALSH LAN St Mary of the Virgin, Blackburn 1800-1850 ______Ron Armour (4084) 19 Garstone Croft, Preston PR2 3NY Tel: 01772 462482 CLARK LAN Blackpool 19C CRANE LAN Woodplumpton, Preston 19C HELM LAN Lea, Preston 19C SETTER DEV Combeinteinhead 19C SWINDLEHURST LAN Bleasdale 19C WILKINSON LAN Preston 19C WRIGHT YKS Kelbrook 18C ______Chris Webb (8437) 6 Oaktree Cottages, Anfield Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire sK8 5EX Tel: 0161 282 8254 E-mail: [email protected] HOPE LAN Prestwick 1794-1880 HORROCKS LAN Haslingden 1806-1880 HORROCKS LAN Haslingden, Prestwick, Rochdale 1787-1929 KAY LAN Prestwick l.17C-1878 ROBERTS SAL Ellesmere 1785-1885 ROBERTS SAL/ LAN Ellesmere, Prestwick 1858-1923 ______

30 David & Barbara Foley (10399) 5 Claremont Avenue, Leyland, Lancs PR25 3JE Tel: 01772 434894 FOLEY Ireland c.1817 FOLEY LAN Manchester m.1850+ ______Gordon Proctor (10424) 26 Crosby Road, Littlethorpe, Leicester LE19 2HF Tel: 0116 2867234 GREGORY LAN c.Blackburn 18/19C HAMER LAN c.Darwen, c.Bury 18/19C HUTCHINSON LAN Tottington, c.Bury 17-19C HUTCHINSON LAN c.Preston 1842-1900 LOMAX LAN c.Bury 18/19C LOMAX LAN c.Preston 1825-1900 ______Julia Davey (9157) 69 St John’s Road, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 9LZ Tel: 01985 219569 ALLEN DBY c.Matlock 1870+ BAILEY SOM Puckington 1800-1870 BAILEY SOM c.Chilcompton 1870+ BASS CAM c.Bassingbourn 1700-1850 BASS LND c.Hornsey 1850+ BEAVER/BEEVER LAN c.West Derby 1906+ BIRCHALL/ BIRCHELL LAN c.West Derby 1915+ BOTT WAR c.Birmingham 1790-1890 BUTLER WOR Halesowen 1790-1850 BUTLER WAR Birmingham 1825+ BUTLER STS c.Stone 1850-1870 BUTLER DBY c.Snifferton 1880-1910 CAMPBELL CHS c.Heaton Moor 1895+ COATES DBY c.Matlock 1891+ CLIFTON LAN Warrington 1889+ CULLINGWORTH LAN c.Toxteth Park 1876+ CULLINGWORTH CHS Ellesmere Port 1911+ DERRY LAN Edge Hill 1908+ DORNING/ DURNING LAN Manchester 1882+ EARLE WAR c.Birmingham 1850+ FENNA/FENNER CHS c.Bunbury 1800+ FRANCIS LAN c.Edge Hill 1905+ GOODWIN DBY c.Derby 1900+ HAMILTON LAN c.Edge Hill 1898+ HOWES CAM Bassingbourn 1775-1875

31 LAWLESS LAN Warrington 1877+ LAWRENCE DOR Stocklinch 1800-1900 MADGWICK LAN any 1875+ MASSEY STS Trentham 1800-1850 MASSEY WAR c.Birmingham 1870+ MORRIS WAR Birmingham, Hong Kong 1880+ PILSBURY STS Wombourn 1750+ PLATT(S) DBY c.Snitterton 1880+ PRINCE SOM Puckington 1800-1950 RIHAN CHS Stockport 1880+ RIHAN WLS Llandrillo yn Rhos 1890+ RIHAN LAN Didsbury 1890+ SILK CAM Woodhurst 1750-1850 SILK CAM St Ives 1890+ SILK LND Wood Green 1900+ SOORN CHS any 1800+ SOORN IOM any 1900+ TAYLOR CHS/ LAN Latchford 1875-1925 THOMPSON LAN c.West Derby 1881+ WOODCOCK CAM Woodhurst 1750-1904 WOODCOCK CAM Upwood 1904+ WOODLAND SOM Puckington 1830+ WRIGHT CHS Winbury 1800+ WRIGHT SAL Whitchurch 1845+ WRIGHT LAN West Derby 1860+ WRIGHT LAN Toxteth Park 1870+ WRIGHT CHS Stockport 1908+ WRIGHT WLS Llandudno 1885+ WRIGHT NTT c.Rethord 1906+ WRIGHT DEV Plymouth 1916+ WRIGHT HAM Portsmouth 1926-1960 ______Yvonne Johnson (10172) 13 Lee Court, Centry Road, Brixham, Devon TQ5 9EZ E-mail: [email protected] SEDGLEY STS Stone 19C THREADGOLD LAN Salford 19C THREADGOLD LAN Pendleton 19C ______Isobel Willmott (10397) 37 Hafod Road, Hereford HR1 1SQ Tel: 01432 273884 E-mail: [email protected] BRANDWOOD LAN Haslingden 18C

32 HARGREAVES LAN Accrington 18/19C HOLDEN LAN Haslingden 17/18C HOYLE LAN Haslingden, Lit. Harwood 17-19C ______William Grime (8283) Chestnut Bank Farm, Bensons Lane, Woodplumpton PR4 0BL Tel: 01772 690443 ALMOND LAN c.Woodplumpton 18-20C ALSTON LAN c.Woodplumpton 19/20C AYRTON LAN Grindleton, Preston 18-20C BILLINGTON LAN c.Woodplumpton 18-20C BOOTH LAN c.Chorley 17-20C CATTERALL LAN c.Woodplumpton 18-20C CROSS LAN c.Woodplumpton 17-20C ECCLES LAN c.Woodplumpton 17-20C ELLITHORNE LAN Preston 18/19C FARRIES LAN Preston 18/19C GARDNER LAN c.Woodplumpton 18-20C GREENNODD LAN Hoghton, Preston 18/19C GRIME LAN Rochdale, Manchester, Blackpool, Preston 17-20C HARGREAVES LAN c.Balderstone 18/19C HARGREAVES LAN c.Woodplumpton 18-20C HODGKINSON LAN Preston 16-19C JAQUES LAN Preston 19C MOULDING LAN Preston 19/20C PORTER LAN Preston 18-20C PRUDEN LAN Liverpool, c.Wigan 19/20C RATCLIFFE LAN Liverpool, c.Leigh, Bolton 19/20C SHEPHARD LAN Preston 19/20C STEAD LAN Blackburn 19/20C SYKES LAN Fylde 18-20C WAREING LAN c.Woodplumpton 19/20C WINN LAN Preston 18-20C ______Jean Tomlinson(9538) The Annexe, The Old Chapel, Kellaton, Kingsbridge TQ7 2ER Tel: 07947650377 E-mail: [email protected] BARNES LAN Haslingden 19C BUTTERWORTH LAN Haslingden 19C LORD LAN Haslingden 19C RATCHLIFFE LAN Haslingden 19C

33 TOMLINSON LAN Rossendale 17-19C WREN LAN Haslingden 19C ______

BRANCH NEWS

BLACKBURN & DARWEN Correspondence Secretary: Anne Dolphin, 39 Bosburn Drive, Mellor Brook, Blackburn BB2 7PA Branch e-mail: [email protected]

______

BURY Secretary: Branch e-mail: [email protected]

The meeting held on 9 July was a talk by Kate Dibble, ‘Victoria Baths Restoration’. The baths were the first winners of the BBC Restoration Programme. Its history starts when Manchester was developing during the early 20th century and it was known as the High Street Baths or Bath of Baths, costing approximately £56,000. There were 3 pools, 2 male and 1 female. As well as these pools there were Turkish and Russian Baths. The main male pool was covered over in the winter and changed into a ballroom. During the early 1990s a reconstruction of a VE dance was held.

The building was closed in 1993 and the Friends of Victoria Baths was formed. In 2003 the Restoration Programme was started which the baths won with twice as many votes as the runner up. Although the prize was £3m, it would cost about £21m to restore the whole building to its former glory so the Friends decided to restore it in sections, with English Heritage becoming involved.

The part that has been restored up to now has a shop and café. The building has been used for filming with the TV series Life on Mars being partly filmed there.

The aim of the Trust is to have one of the pools and the Turkish Bath opened. Application for funding has to be for each phase, with phase 1+ being for the roof.

34 The August meeting was a Research Evening when members were able to use the society’s extensive archives for the Bury area. Visitors who attended were given assistance to research their family.

The September meeting was a talk by Steve Williams – A Mother’s Tears. This was a collection of stories he had compiled in his research into the deaths of soldiers during the First World War. One was for William Street from Tottington, Bury, who was killed at Ypres in July 1917 and was reported in the Bury Times. The title of his talk was from the grave stone of a soldier ; A Soldiers Grave – A Mother’s Tear – He Died For Those He Loved So Dear.

Submitted by Allen Steele ______

CHORLEY Secretary: Sheila Gibbons, 24 The Cedars, Eaves Green, Chorley PR7 3RH Tel: 01257 262028 Branch e-mail: [email protected]

Despite the expectation of a summer lull, branch activities have continued and there have been requests for our support with new projects.

In June, we welcomed Gordon Read to our branch meeting and learned much about the aims and achievements of Edith Rigby, Preston’s suffragette. In July, we held our traditional summer evening at Astley Hall and enjoyed wine, strawberries and cream in the Hall’s sheltered courtyard. Our speaker for the evening was Peter Park. His talk, ‘The Piecer’s Twopence’ outlined 19th century employment legislation related to children. From his own research, Peter provided specific examples taken from surviving mill records, enabling us to imagine the working lives of children and their families.

For the August out visit, Marian Crossley arranged a very successful evening at St. Michael and All Angels, Croston Parish Church. Before the visit, a good number met at the Grapes Hotel and enjoyed a meal together. We then strolled over to the church where 40 or so of us were met by Mr Roy Websdell, a fount of knowledge about the church and the local area. Croston Parish Church is beautiful, and has a host of interesting features. It is well worth visiting.

Our autumn programme began with an enjoyable talk given by Carole Banks on the history of Haigh Hall, Wigan, and the families who had

35 lived there. The talk was of particular interest to some members with ancestors who had been estate workers or servants at Haigh Hall.

Beginning on 19 September the branch will be running a 10 Friday evenings ‘First Steps’ course for anyone new to family history. From this autumn onwards, alongside our usual activities, we look forward to working with local schools on a WW1 project related to Festubert and the Chorley men who were killed there.

Submitted by Jenny Cree ______

FYLDE Secretary: Mrs. Olive Thexton, 7 Bispham Lodge, 251 Norbreck Road, Thornton Cleveleys FY5 1PE Branch e-mail: [email protected]

After the AGM meeting in March we began to look forward to another year. We still are waiting for someone to come forward and take on the position of Programme Secretary. Is there anyone who can help us by filling this slot please?

In May Phil told us about the reason for GENUKI becoming available, this is the place to find anything to do with Church records and much more. This is one free website not to be missed. In June we had a visit from Philip Walsh who gave us a presentation on people and places in Marton. There were a number of old photographs of Marton and places for us to identify. Thank you Philip.

In June we had 3 mini talks. Olive told of an article that she had received concerning a member of a pillar of Victorian society and a staunch Catholic family of Haighton House near Preston, in Broughton. After executing the will of Winefride Anderton, there was a small attaché case left which was put into a skip when the Solicitors' office was being cleared. Inside the case were stories and articles about Winefride and her sister. Neither sister married, but they took on a lot of charity work, including helping to care for the men who travelled through Preston station. Some time ago Terry Regan told us about a plaque that had been found and was being restored, this was to mark the help given by a volunteer effort which began in August 1915 to provide food and drink for troops to rest their weary limbs as they travelled up and down the country. It was quite a surprise to find that the two sisters had been part of the team who took on this work. To

36 think, all the important contents of the little case nearly finished up on the tip!

Phil told us about the medical records that he had found on Ancestry regarding his father in WW1. He found lots of new information through the newly released records. Another branch member, Les, also told us about a medal that he had acquired on behalf of his father. He served on HMS Norfolk, an aircraft carrier in the Arctic convoys when they helped the Russians and the medals were given last year if you could prove your relation to the person concerned. Something for you to consider if a close relative took part in these operations.

The next meeting was an offer of help to break down brick walls. We all gained a little more information because of the questions and answers given. We always learn something new from these evenings. We received a few facts regarding early marriages and weather reports from 1700s. We also have an up to date list of all the CDs held in the branch. All of them are available for free loan to members.

We have just had a visit from Pat Ascroft who told us about three little girls who, along with two brothers, lost their father in an accident in Dalton in Furness. Their mother sent them to Ulverston Hiring Post where the youngest, a 7 year old had to go with one of the others, this was the deal. A Marton farmer came and took on the two youngest and brought them back to work on the family farm. The rest of the story was how they all grew up, married, raised families and eventually Pat arrived in the family. It was a lovely story, sad at times, but a lot of humour and stories and nostalgia for us all. Thanks to Pat for an evening of enjoyment for us all. ______

HERALDRY GROUP Contact: A. Derrick Walkden, 2 Butterlands, Preston. Lancs PR1 5TJ Tel: 01772 792224 Branch e-mail: [email protected]

We continue to have our interesting, and very varied programme of heraldic presentations. We are being visited by members from other branches, who may have a query or an interest in the particular subject that evening. We continue to respond to postal and other enquiries, which members and other people may have regarding Coats of Arms or other symbols of interest.

The Heraldic Study Day at Salford on 2 October was, of course, a highlight of this time of the year, 40 folks came together at Hemsley

37 Hall, Salford for a full day of heraldic presentations, Hatchments, Signs of Refreshments (Pub Signs etc), the heraldry in the Scottish War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle, and the Heraldic Funeral. The day draws people from all over the United Kingdom, and LFHHS members were well represented.

The subjects were well received, the company enjoyed them and a splendid lunch consumed. This was the 20th such Study Day, we, LFHHS, having been responsible for the last five.

In August we were presented with a collection of individually painted Coats of Arms, from the Estate of a former member, Alick Hadwen, together with a collection of heraldic photographs taken by Alick over a number of years. We express our appreciation to Alick’s sister Christine Medds for these gifts, which make a splendid addition to our resources. ______

HYNDBURN (covering Accrington, Altham, Church, Clayton le Moors, Gt Harwood, Oswaldtwistle & Rishton) Secretary: Eileen Bullock, 51 Hawthorn Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington. Lancs BB5 3AE Branch e-mail: [email protected]

Unfortunately our July speaker had to cancel at the last minute when he was admitted to hospital and we were unable to get a replacement. The library, however very kindly allowed us use of the computers and we held an impromptu workshop.

Our scheduled workshop was held in September with the addition of a presentation and hands on session by members of the library service, on the library resources available to people researching their family history. It was a very successful evening and attracted several visitors.

In August we had our first out visit of the year to Hoghton Tower. We were lucky to have a warm summer day for the visit and we were split into 2 groups for a tour of the Tower. Our guides were very informative and we all enjoyed the visit which ended with refreshments in the tea room.

For our November meeting Steve Williams will be making a return visit with his talk ‘For King and Country’ and the week after we will be holding our second out visit, this time in the evening, to Fulwood Barracks.

December will be our Christmas Social with a couple of quizzes and a Jacob’s Join supper.

Next year we have a full programme planned, starting with our usual workshop in January. Hyndburn branch would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year. ______

IRISH ANCESTRY GROUP Branch e-mail: [email protected] ______

LANCASTER & MORECAMBE Branch e-mail: [email protected]

The Lancaster and Morecambe branch is fast becoming a ‘Virtual Branch’. It is taking the first steps and in common with so many branches of family history throughout the country realises drastic measures have to be taken in order to maintain the support for family history in this area. For some time now we have been rethinking our strategy of supplying family history support and teaching. We are now holding afternoon meetings every two weeks, alternating between the modern public libraries at Morecambe and Heysham. These ‘Drop In’ type events are designed for members and non-members are advertised by the library. There is no speaker, no arranged programme and no fee for enrolling. Computers are set aside for the sessions and we encourage people to e-mail queries and we have a dedicated mobile phone number that operates only during the sessions. Evening meetings will continue as before at Torrisholme.

The branch represented the society at the family history fairs at Carnforth and Kendal but at both events the number of people attending was poor compared to fairs in previous years. The big Gateshead fair was cancelled at short notice and one of the days of ‘Who do you think you are’ (Glasgow) was also cancelled at short notice. We need to rethink our participation at future fairs.

July’s out visit to Lancaster Castle failed to take place through a misunderstanding on booking the event. We hope to re-arrange this visit to the historic castle next year. Now that the Castle is no longer one of HM prisons the famous ‘John of Gaunt’ gateway is now open and

39 visitors can freely walk into the court yards and find a café and gift shop.

Our August meeting was ‘Missing in Action’ a short but interesting talk by member Brian Smalley. Brian had taken names at random from his local War Memorial in Storth and put a story together by researching the names mentioned on it.

Our September afternoon meeting at Morecambe Library was one of those not to be missed. Jan Graffius (Curator) gave us a wonderful power point presentation on the history and holding of the Stonyhurst College. We learnt that their museum predates the Ashmolean to be the oldest museum in the UK. This famous Jesuit College has an unbelievable and varied collection from small Roman Catholic artefacts to the Catholic Queen Mary’s personal bible and a magnificent collection of vestments that have been created and used over many years. During question time we were invited to visit Stonyhurst for a private tour of the college and to see the heraldry in the windows of the historic building. ______

LONDON & SOUTH Secretary: Elizabeth Prior, 18A Redcliffe Street, West Brompton SW10 9DT - Tel: 020 7370 2107 Branch e-mail: [email protected]

For our May and August meetings we welcomed back Tony Foster and Simon Fowler who gave talks on the Lancashire BMD project and military history on the internet respectively. Tony gave a brief history of civil registration before moving on to the Lancashire BMD project. The project was started in 2002 in collaboration with the registration service but all the work has been done by volunteers of the various Lancashire Family History Society branches. There are currently just shy of 18,500,000 entries – so the more volunteers the more entries. When ordering a certificate from a Register Office as opposed to Southport it is important to remember that the GRO reference is of no use.

We learnt that it is possible to pay to search the local Registrar’s index books and that if successful the certificate is free of charge. Some Churches may still have the marriage register because it has not yet been filled but quarterly returns still have to be made.

40 Simon Fowler told us that the records are mainly at The National Archives with some at the Imperial War Museum and the National Army Museum. For regimental archives one should look at www.armymuseums.org.uk

Service records after about 1920 are held by the Ministry of Defence and are well worth getting hold of if researching WW2 ancestors. The web site is www.veterans-uk.info WW1 records for other ranks are available on line at Ancestry and Find My Past but what has survived is random – two thirds of the records were destroyed during WW2. Officers records, of which 75% survive, are not yet on line. The Army and Navy lists are available on the open shelves at TNA.

Pre1914 other ranks records are on Find My Past. WW1 war diaries are being put on line by TNA. Other sources are the British Newspaper Archives, www.britishnewspaper.archive.co.uk (pay to view); the London Gazette for gallantry awards; the Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The Long, Long Trail www.1914-1918.net

Simon also suggested that we might find his guide Tracing Your Army Ancestors useful.

Our next speaker is Lady Teviot on ‘I never thought of that – another look at problem solving’.

The December meeting will be a members’ meeting. ______

PENDLE & BURNLEY Web site: www.lfhhs-pendleandburnley.org.uk Branch e-mail: [email protected]

In June, Pat Osborne came to give us her entertaining talk on the artist L. S. Lowry. His birth was a disappointment to his mother, who had wanted a girl and she never really forgave him for that, despite his lifelong devotion to her. Although Lowry showed artistic talent from an early age and was sent to private lessons, his parents wanted him to have a steady job and from leaving school until his retirement he worked for the Pall Mall Company, collecting rents and eventually becoming chief cashier. This information did not emerge publicly until after Lowry’s death in 1976 and Pat explored his secrecy about his private life, which was less restricted than he always implied.

41 In July a group visited the BBC Studios in Media City, Salford. This provided an insight into the work of keeping supplied the nation’s appetite for entertainment and information. A surprising number of national programmes are made here and it is also now the home of the BBC Philharmonic.

Our meeting in July was an Open Evening, attended by a number of visitors as well as members. An introduction to our work was given followed by use of the Library computers as well as our own resources demonstrating the different types of information available. After a crash course in accessing Google Chrome on the Library computers several of our members were also able to offer assistance on the Library’s WW1 Day to those wanting to know more of their ancestors in the Services. We received a letter of thanks from the Colne Librarian for this.

Our Treasurer, Geoffrey Riley, has decided that after three years in post it is time to hand over the (well-kept) books and has resigned with immediate effect. We wish him well and welcome Christine Windle, who will fill the post until our next AGM.

Margaret Curry was unable to give us her talk on Beatrix Potter and was replaced by our member Mary Jackson at short notice. Her talk, ‘From Rags to Riches’ was a wander along the outer foliage of the family tree prompted by a tradition that one of her relatives could have married a millionaire. This is what could be called the serendipitous side of family history and was an object lesson in the interesting characters and stories that can be revealed by investigating family sidelines.

Our next event was the hosting of the LFHHS annual lunch at Nelson House in Burnley but shortly before that we were shocked to learn of the very sudden death of Sheila Whittle, a regular member whose cheerful presence and willingness to help will be much missed. We have also heard of the death in May of Edna Simpson at the age of 91. She and her husband had been members of the Pendle branch from early days and Fred was Treasurer for some time. Edna loved her family history but increasing age and frailty meant that she had to relinquish her membership. Both will be much missed and our thoughts are with their families.

The September talk by Paul Cross ‘When Cotton Came to Lancashire’ was well received by a substantial audience. He recounted the growth

42 of the cotton industry from its earliest days as it gradually replaced wool as the main textile industry in our area. Citing John Horrocks as an example of early entrepreneur he went on to deprecate the social conditions fostered by the rapid growth of the Industrial Revolution.

Our monthly Help sessions at Colne Library resume on the fourth Wednesdays of September, October and November from 10.00 am to 12 noon.

Submitted by Pat Dyson ______

PRESTON Correspondence Secretary: Stephen Benson, 32 Slater Lane, Leyland PR25 1TN Tel: 01772 422808 Branch e-mail: [email protected]

For the first time in many years, we didn’t have our out-visit in June. This year it was planned for August. In June John Garlington came to read extracts from his book ‘The Preston War Memorial’.

As early as 1917 it was proposed the town would erect a war memorial. However, it had to wait nine long years before the unveiling of the Memorial on 13 June 1926. The Memorial and Roll of Honour were paid for by voluntary public donations. Volunteer collectors went around all wards of the town. Each collector and the 14,344 subscribers had their names recorded in the Memorial Book, now housed in the Harris Museum and Art Gallery.

The Memorial was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, a prominent architect who designed the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Battersea Power Station and red telephone box. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott also designed the Roll of Honour, which is situated in the main stairwell of the Harris Library. From 1916 to the Roll’s unveiling in 1927 families could complete a form if they wanted the name of their loved one to be included.

Recently the Memorial has been restored and a new dedication added to remember those who have lost their lives in service since 1945. The Memorial is a fitting focus for Preston’s commemorations of the Centenary of the First World War.

In July Gladys Rimmer gave a very interesting talk on the Rimmer family name.

43 Twenty six Preston branch members went to Fulwood Barracks in August for our annual out-visit. They all thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The archivist, Jane Davis, showed the group around the museum, the first visitors before the re-opening.

Submitted by Pat Griffiths (Fiche/CD Librarian & Workshop Organiser) ______

RIBBLE VALLEY Branch e-mail: [email protected]

At our August meeting, one of our members Jenny Palmer, gave an insight into the history of the Whipp, Watson and Bulcock families to which she is related, and has written about in a book entitled ‘A Pendle Family History 1560-1960’. She has traced the family connections back 10 generations over the 400 years they have lived in Twiston. A lot of her information came from the wills of nine of her ancestors and also from written records kept in the family. She now lives in the house that one of her ancestors lived in; in 1758, opposite the farm she was brought up in. We had quite a few visitors attending the meeting who were connected to the three families and besides enjoying her talk, were able to discover family connections by speaking to Jenny afterwards.

Copies of Jenny’s book can be obtained by contacting the Ribble Valley branch. In September four members talked between 10 and 15 minutes on memories of a family relation. One talk was about a young man who fought and was injured in WW1 but survived and went on to become a scientist at Dunlop. Two others talked about their Aunts, one of whom weighed only 1lb 8ozs at her birth in 1901 but lived until she was 98 years, and our last speaker talked about a relation who had joined the Accrington Pals but unfortunately was killed on 1 July 1916 and is mentioned on the Thiepval monument in France. The meeting ended with a question and answers panel which proved useful to some of the members and visitors. Nine of our members attended the annual LFHHS lunch organised by Pendle and Burnley which was a very enjoyable afternoon with an entertaining speaker and the chance to meet and get to know members of other societies.

Next year it is the Ribble Valley branch’s turn to organise the lunch and the date for your diaries is Sunday 6 September 2015. We do hope we have a good response from the Society for this event.

Submitted by Kathleen Carlton ______

44 ROCHDALE Secretary: Mrs. Rosemary Fitton, 13 Bowlers Walk, Rochdale. Lancs OL12 6EN Tel: 01706 – 356135 Branch e-mail: [email protected]

We hope members found the June research evening useful. As usual on these evenings the branch library was available along with the laptop and fiche collection. Thank you to Terry Walsh for bringing along an interesting selection of family history books for sale. Hopefully there was something of interest for everyone.

Our society headquarters at Oswaldtwistle was the venue for our out- visit in July. Members had the opportunity to do some personal research using the excellent facilities available. Thank you to the volunteer staff who as well as providing a welcome cup of tea during the evening were on hand to help and offer their expert advice to members with their research queries.

‘My Treasured Possession’ was the theme in August for two very different short talks given by our own members. A long case grandfather clock was the treasured possession of Peter Millray who gave the first talk. Affectionately known as ‘Big Bob’, Peter explained how he had been left this special clock by his grandfather and with the help of some photographs he explained its connection and treasured place in his family history.

John Partington gave our second talk of the evening. He had brought along a hand bell engraved with his fathers’ name as his treasured possession. John, a well-known local campanologist, explained how he and his family have been involved with bell ringing for several generations at the Parish Church of St. Luke, Heywood. John had also brought along a number of interesting articles and documents relating to bell ringing and his local family history for members to look at during the evening.

Thank you to Peter and John for an entertaining and very interesting evening. ______

45 ROSSENDALE Secretary: Mrs. Rita Hirst, Tower House, 17 Victoria Street, Haslingden, Rossendale. Lancs BB4 5DL Tel: 01706 – 227561 Branch e-mail: [email protected]

I was unable to go on our out visit in September, so Veronica Slater kindly compiled the following report: In September 14 of us visited Altham Parish Church, St James. The current church dates back to 1540 and previously it had been called St. Mary. It is close by to the Walton Arms which was originally called the Black Bull – it was renamed after the death of the Squire Richard Thomas Roe Walton in tribute to him as he was a good and kindly man who looked after the people and brought order into Altham.

We were given a very warm and hospitable welcome. The tour round the church by our guide was extremely enlightening. There is so much to see and take in. The present church is still work in progress and from the bits of recycling pointed out to us explains how it is thought that a church has stood on this site back to 1140 and possibly earlier. We learned the origin of the saying ‘to ring true’. The windows are all different and some not as old as they look, the stained glass window behind the altar was made by the Whitefriars Company in 1930 replacing a painted window. The wooden altar, side table and chairs are 400 years old. Unusually for a small church there is a bishop's chair bearing the coats of arms of all the dioceses it has been attached to over its history. We were privileged to see a communion cup made in 1540 and recently restored. There was a memorial to the 68 men and boys killed in the Moorfield pit disaster on 7 November 1883 (locally called Dickys pit).

Michael Hiluta’s daughter married at this church and the Banns book and Marriage register were placed on the altar for us to view along with a wedding photo. The church has a peal of 8 static bells played by means of a carillon and we were invited to have a go. Another old saying ‘to ring the changes’ was also explained at this point.

After welcome refreshments our visit was over. Leaving the church yard we looked back at the church lit by floodlights, a lovely sight. Definitely a church worth visiting again as there is so much to see; far more than these few words can convey.

Finally, anyone with relatives buried at Sion Baptist Church, Newchurch Road, Higher Cloughfold will be interested in the transcription and

46 photographic work done by Janet Barrie. There is a link to her website on the Rossendale branch website under the heading ‘Rossendale Churches’. ______

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