LANCASHIRE FAMILY HISTORY AND HERALDRY SOCIETY

Rossendale Branch Newsletter May 1998

The Heirloom Evening

Members brought a varied selection of items ranging from a German grammar which once belonged to a German/Swiss textile machinery manufacturer, to baptismal papers for the children of James Hargreaves of Blackburn. He was a drummer in the 3rd foot (Warwick regiment) and his children had been born in Pakistan. It was a very interesting evening.

We have had some success with the 3 albums of unidentified photographs which were brought to the meeting. One photograph was apparently that of a Webb family wedding. Others are believed to be relatives of Amelia and Fred Slee who lived at 7 Chapel Street, Haslingden in 1915. We are still working on various clues.

The Rossendale Branch AGM. The business side of our last meeting didn't take long. Stephen Haworth has resigned as our representative on the Society's Executive committee. Rita Hirst was appointed in his place. The post of Branch Secretary was not filled as John Dalton had not been able to contact Maureen Moorcroft. Rita will also act as Secretary until the matter is resolved.

Kay Family

Joan Hadwen, 91 Oak Avenue, Bare, Morecambe LA4 6HY has started a Kay Association. Joan (a direct descendant of John Kay the inventor) has amassed a large amount of information on the Kays of Bury, Walmersley, Edenfield, Tottington etc. 

Irish Ancestry Group.

The Society has a special group for those of us with Irish ancestry; it is based at Chorley. You will have seen details of their meetings in the magazine. As there are so many people in South West Lancashire with Irish ancestors the Group has been asked to give a talk at Bury on the 12th August. Members from Rossendale and Rochdale have been invited to join the Bury Group.

Because Bury is having problems with its meeting place I can't give you a location yet. I will keep you posted.

Battlefield's & History.

I have received some leaflets from Holts Tours . They offer a range of family history-tailored tours in Europe. Their professional guides are willing to make special visits to Commonwealth War graves, or explain exactly what did happen on the ground in 1914-18 or 1939-45. For further details contact: Holts Tours Ltd., 15 Market Street, Sandwich, Kent. CT13 9DA.

On the same theme, I have had a letter from Bill Turner who wrote the book on Accrington Pals. He is now researching the 480 men of Haslingden who died in the 1914 - 1918 war. So far he has found details of 470 but information on the remaining ten men has eluded him. Their names are:

George Henry Bell, John E. Davies, Samuel Walley Green, Walter Haworth, Harry Heys, William Paton, David Pickup, J. Trickett, Robert Mason, John Navin.

If you can help please write to Bill Turner, 52 Bamford Crescent, Accrington, BB5 2PQ 

Would you like to help the visually impaired?

Nick Chetwood of the Guide Dogs for the Blind is exploring involvement in Family History by his members. GDBA Holidays is run as a club and membership is open to sighted people who have a skill to offer and are willing to assist on holidays in return for help and assistance on the cost of the holiday. Contact Joe Griffiths, 9 Manor Road, Lymm, Cheshire WA13 OAY  Joe is a member of the Liverpool & SW Lancs. FHS.

Haslingden Roots Exhibition:

The exhibition at Haslingden library seems to have been a great success. We had some publicity in the Express (free paper), there was a steady number of visitors (can so many people be called Barnes?) and I have issued a large quantity of information sheets. Michael brought his computer into the library, with his data base on Holden cemetery burials; and the rest of us, Jackie Ramsbottom, Kathleen Ashburner, Pauline Holt, Mary Davison and myself tried to be on hand whenever possible to give help and advice. Several members of the public brought along material to add to the items already on display.