LANCASHIRE FAMILY HISTORY AND HERALDRY SOCIETY

Rossendale Branch Newsletter October 2000

Rossendale Ancestry

David Hargreaves, 4 The Green, Stillington, York Y061 1SY is seeking a baptism forJames Hargreaves born about 1815, apparently in Haslingden (one census states Bacup) He married 18th Oct. 1840 at St. Peter's Burnley - his father was given as John Hargreaves, Labourer. In 1841, there was a John Hargreaves and family living nearby in an area known as the Hayne. This John was a cotton weaver. There was a James son of John bapt. at Haslingden in February 1814 (over a year too early) his father was a joiner. This is the problem he needs to resolve. James moved to Waterside in 1842, in 1851and 1861 he was at Lee Bank Bacup. He was at Huttock Top in 1871 and 1881. He was known locally as "Old White Hat." He and his sons were involved with Pippin Bank Mill and a hardware shop in Bacup. His son attended North Street Primitive Methodist School.

2. David Nutton is enquirying about the area around Newchurch. He has the following information from an old pedigree which he would like to verify:

John Nuttall b 1720? m Mary? Newchurch. Lawrence Nuttall b. 1767 m. Nellie Wilkinson 1786 at Newchurch. George Nutter b. 1802 m Rachel Shaw 1821 Warley, West Yorkshire. email david@legend.co.uk

HASLINGDEN ST.JAMES MI's

I have been browsing through my collection of "Lancashire" magazine's looking for material for the newsletter. I have found many old pedigrees and source listings for the Rossendale area which will be new to our more recent members.

In many ways it has been a "This is your Life" experience.

As long ago as October 1979, Dorothy Frankcom, the editor wrote:

I am pleased to report that work on recording the MIs at St James' has at last come to an end, though there is still a lot of typing and indexing to be done. May I on your behalf give a special vote of thanks to all involved, but particularly to Rita Hirst, Mary Davison, and Valerie Maxwell who soldiered on in the face of rain, wind, mosquitoes, nettles and every other conceivable obstacle, to complete this monumental (not a pun I assure you) task.

Gird up your loins girls - St. Thomas Musbury is being planned for next year!

We still haven't done St. Thomas. It is again being planned for next year (2001). After 22 years our loins will need a lot of girding and volunteers will be welcome.

BLUE PLAQUES .... AT HASLINGDEN

Chris. Aspin, Local Historian unveiling a Blue Plaque at the Mary Hindle Centre. The Centre was originally known as the New Inn on Bury Road, Haslingden. The plaque reads:

Here at the New Inn 25/4/1826, Handloom Weavers arrested for destroying over 100 powerlooms in Helmshore, were charged by the magistrates with riot but then released under duress from an angry crowd. Some were rearrested and transported to Australia for life.

There are other similar plaques at historic locations around the town. Outside the Commercial Hotel at the corner of Manchester Rd and Lower Deardengate.

Sir Winston Church, recently returned as a hero of the South African War after escaping from the Boers stayed at the Commercial Hotel during a visit to the town, to open the Volunteers' Bazaar at the Public Hall 27th September 1900

On a stall within the outdoor market off Manchester Road.

Near this spot stood the Ratcliffe Fold School. Its pupils included William Cockerill (1759 -1832) Inventor of the Roving Billy, and his son John (1790 - 1840) the leading European ironfounder of the day. In 1835 the Cockerills' Belgian works made the rails for the first continental railway and its locomotive "La Belge".

Outside the Library on Higher Deardengate

Michael Davitt 1846 -1906 Irish Patriot and MP, a lifelong champion of social justice, first read the history of Ireland in this library.

At Coal Hey, Deardengate Croft (situated at the back of Lower Deardengate and Rudd Street)

Coal Hey was built in the 1790s as six back to back houses with a handloom workshop on the top floor. This was reached by external steps. It was used by the Watts Family and others who wove cotton cloth called checks and ginghams.

At No. 14 Peel Street (a terraced house off the end of Lower Deardengate).

Robert Scott VC was born here on 4/6/1874. He earned the Victoria Cross on 6/1/1900 whilst defending Caesar's Camp, Ladysmith during the Boer War. He died 22/2/1961

Please let me know of any other memorials within the other Rossendale towns.

THE ROSSENDALE BRANCH WEB SITE

Wilf Day has put together a web site for the Rossendale Branch. Those of you with access to the web can find us on www.rossendale-fhhs.org.uk

Wilf is endeavoring to include pictures of all the churches in the Borough - old or new. If you have any suitable photographs please contact Wilf or myself.

COMING EVENTS...

LFHHS Annual Dinner 2000

Hosted by the Rochdale Branch at Rochdale Masonic Buildings, Richard Street, Rochdale. Friday 6th October 2000. 7.30 for 8.00 pm. £15.00 per head.

FAMILY HISTORY FAIR

NW Group Family History Societies Preston Guild Hall. Saturday 28th October 10.00am - 4.00pm