Welcome to my nifty Dreambook, a free guestbook service from New Dream Network and the DreamHost!If you have a minute, please add your entry to those below by signing my Dreambook!
| Name: | patricia sparks |
| E-mail address: | psparks@talktalk.net |
| Comments: | thank you for a brilliant site.
all your hard work is appreciated. i found this site while looking for the murder of elizabeth mcnamara,s father his name i have yet to find,he was a dance school teacher and was murded some time between 1859 and 1870. at whitworth between bacup and rochdale ,so the story goes, but i did come across the newspaper artical you have on julia mcquinn.and that was a great find as she is also part of the family i am researching, thank you once again for a great site patricia, |
| Name: | Douglas Graham |
| E-mail address: | disce50@clara.co.uk |
| Comments: | Could someone give me information about Fearns Hall, and the Disley's who lived there.?
I am related to the Disley's . Thanks, Douglas |
| Name: | Andrew Nightinglae |
| E-mail address: | andy_n@sky.com |
| Comments: | Does anyone know sonia white a sunday school teacher from weir??.circa 1959-1961 |
| Name: | TOM Ratcliffe |
| E-mail address: | TRatcliffe@satx.rr.com |
| Comments: | Hi Bob. My cousin Michael Ratcliffe can give u loads of info on Quarries. His father Norman Ratcliffe was the Engineer at Ratcliffe's Quarries Lee Mill. They finished up at Upholland, so Michael was connected with Quarries from day one. Visited him in May this year.
Ph him. 01257 252 441 Tom Ratcliffe TEXAS. |
| Name: | Bob Frith |
| E-mail address: | bob@horseandbamboo.org |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.horseandbamboo.org |
| Comments: | It is a lovely site, and makes me wish that other areas of Rossendale had something similar; the history of the area is so vivid. But I also recognise just how much research and hard work has gone into what you've created.
I'm starting work (at Horse + Bamboo Theatre in Waterfoot) on a show as part of the "Valley of Stone' project which draws some of its ideas from the history and geology of the Bacup quarries. I've linked our blog to your site. Many thanks. http://deeptimecabaret.blogspot.com/ |
| Name: | Elizabeth Ann Heritage nee Hargreeaves |
| E-mail address: | liz@alphalink.com.au |
| Comments: | what a great site, thanks for letting me look. My mother's maiden name was Heys which is how I found the site. Mary Heys from Cannon St Rochdale Lanc's I am making attemts to do the family history. I know her famther John was born in the USA whilst his father Walter ws born in Bury and returned to lancashire after living in the USA. I am still working on it. |
| Name: | Jeff Brown |
| E-mail address: | jeffbrowntower@btinternet.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://bacuptimes.co.uk |
| Comments: | Hello,
During yet another look at the 'Bacuptimes' website, I noted a message from Jane Lyster concerning the Ormerods & R T Brown. I may have some information for her if she provides a working e-mail address; the one given in this guestbook does not work - or i am doing something wrong! So, Jane - please try to contact me regards Jeff Brown |
| Name: | Jeff Brown |
| E-mail address: | jeffbrowntower@btinternet.com |
| Comments: | If 'Jane Lyster' can supply an e-mail address which works, I may be able to help her.
I have used the address given in your guestbook, but the system is not able to deliver to that address. Over to you Jane! Jeff |
| Name: | kenneth billson |
| E-mail address: | kenbillson@msn.com |
| Comments: | i came upon your page whilst looking up the origin of the
bacup coconut men and found it very interesting my many thanks |
| Name: | kenneth billson |
| E-mail address: | kenbillson@msn.com |
| Comments: | i came upon your page whilst looking up the origin of the
bacup coconut men and found it very interesting my many thanks |
| Name: | Haggibagwash |
| E-mail address: | gene2track@yahoo.co.uk |
| Comments: | I wonder if anyone can remember a Catholic Orphanage in the Bacup area around the 1940's?
All I know is that a relative was put in the home from about 1940 and taken back to his mother around 1944 but I have no other information about it. |
| Name: | Leclerc |
| E-mail address: | reynard.leclerc@googlemail.com |
| Comments: | I'd just found where my gggrandparents were living in the 1911 census and further searching found thet they had both died in Q3 1917, I googled to see if I could find any items on an accident/disaster/epidemic etc. I didn't find them but I found a report on my ggrandfather in your piece on Quarrymen. I had his death cert. which stated that he had died as a result of being crushed between waggons at the quarry, what I didn't know that he walked from the quarry to his home.
I can't thank you enough for this gem of my family history Regards L |
| Name: | Jane Lyster |
| E-mail address: | jane_lyster@hotmail.co.uk |
| Comments: | Hi! I am trying to contact someone, via your site, who is researching Robert Thomas Brown, but am struggling! Can you help with an email address? |
| Name: | Jane Lyster |
| E-mail address: | jane_lyster@hotmail.co.uk |
| Comments: | What a find! I googled 'Bacup Homeguard' while researching my Bacup ancestors and I think I've found a picture of my Granda, John Ormerod on your site.! I then went on to try and find a photo of my Grandma, Hannah Ormerod but no luckcan remember her showing me a photograph of herself at work in a slipper works. The picture was taken at the end of the First World War. I seem to remeber bunting in the background. I don't know what's happened to the original photpgraph, I am hoping perhaps the Bacup Times would have a copy. I'll certainly be returning to your site in the course of my research. Thanks! |
| Name: | Ann-Marie Howorth |
| E-mail address: | pippinbankstudio@aol.com |
| Comments: | What a very informitive site that I accidentally found whilst trying to find information on my house. I fell in love with the house 2 years ago, completely renovated it and managed to maintain many of its original features. I learned from this site that my house was owned by Mr Simpson - a vet, known as the horse doctor, then by Carlton Holden - a dentist. My house is the one at the top of Farholme Lane - Fern House, 173 Newchurh Road. Whilst renovating, we came across some kind of motor which was mounted on a wall. I think it was there from the days when Mr Holden the dentist was here - free to a good home if anybody is interested.. Thanks once again for a great site, i will be visiting regularly. |
| Name: | Ian M Parr |
| E-mail address: | ianmparr@gmail.com |
| Comments: | Hi, What an interesting site! My father, Arnold lived in Brittania, Bacup from 1915 until WWII. His brother, Arthur, was born in 1912. They were the sons of Arthur and Hannah Sarah Parr, nee Chestney (there are several possible spellings). Arthur Senior was my grandfather and he was born in Salford in 1879. The family travelled around a lot but settled in Bacup on New Line in the late 1890s. Arthur's father (my great grandfather) was Frederick Bayley Parr. He was one of several sons of Thomas Parr a Primitive Methodist minister. Two of these brothers of Frederick B were Theophilus Parr and James Tolefree Parr. Both were quite prominent in the Primitive Methodist Connexion and may have attended Frederick Bayley Parr's funeral in Bacup following his death in December 1900.
The Chestney family seems to have been one of many families who came from Norfolk to Rochdale and thence Bacup in the late 1870s. They were a large family and my great uncle Fred Chestney was the manager of a shoe factory until the 1960s. He died a few years ago. I have some Chestney momentos and further information. If anyone knows any more about the Parr family or the Chestney family I'd love to hear from you. Thanks Ian |
| Name: | Mark Overton |
| E-mail address: | meoverton@iprimus.com.au |
| Comments: | I have been researching my relatives from the area, the Heyworths. John was born 1797 and married Martha. they lived and presumably worked at Dog Pits. Richard 1831 married Jane Crabtree and lived at Blackthorn Gardens and Lower Broadclough. Their son John C Heyworth married Pricilla Frost in Salford and moved Brimingham as a yeast salesman. His Winifred daughter married my Grandfather Dennis Overton. I appreciate the site living in Australia and would love to hear from others who might be related. |
| Name: | David Groocock |
| E-mail address: | davidgroocock@googlemail.com |
| Comments: | Thanks found an old friend not seen since 1984 Steve Brown then was contacted by another old friend of mine Tom Kennedy and Steve gave Tom my email addy thanks keep up the good work. |
| Name: | Dave Tomlinson |
| E-mail address: | davidtomlinson821@btinternet.com |
| Comments: | I am researching the Flaherty family that moved to the Bacup area in the mid 1930's. Thomas Joseph Flaherty married Annie Daley at St.Marys RC church in 1936 and they had 4 children. One of their children Thomas Joseph Flaherty was born in 1940 and according to family members was killed in an accident in 1948.I would be grateful for any information on this incident,especially newspaper accounts of the incident.
Many thanks |
| Name: | Anne Sunderland |
| E-mail address: | asunderl@yahoo.no |
| Comments: | What a walk down memory lane.
Although I moved from Stacksteads when I was 7 1954,and have ended up in Islo Norway, many of my family still live in the area. I did find my sister in one of the photoes from Tunstall school. One interesting snippet that could be worthwhile following up is the cradle roll at Acre Mill Church. I looked at it several years ago and there we all were 3 generations of us. In the 90's I happened to be in a small town just outside of Copenhagen, when I heard some music which took me right back to an early easter memory. Dragging my bewildered danish friend behind me I followed the music to the town square, lo and behold there they were the coconutters. thankyou for the effort. |
| Name: | Frank Walton |
| E-mail address: | frank_787@fsmail.net |
| Comments: | Brings back loads of old and very happy memories. I was a Policeman at Bacup for a few years, first house that we had when we married. Always have a special place in my memories for Bacup. Two friends that I had at the time wondering whether they are still with us. Fred LYE ex Bacup Borough bobby owned a Tripe Shop I think it was St James Street. Granville Holmes manger of Crazy Cuts Stores on Union Street. |
| Name: | John Entwistle |
| E-mail address: | mail@johnnydollartattoo.com |
| Comments: | Great site! Had an all too short visit to your neck of the woods recently. During the 1800's my family were quarrymen and weavers.
Thanks for the detailed history of the area. It's really helped me understand the toughness of the place and the people. John Entwistle, Blackburn, Victoria, Australia. |
| Name: | Millie Barrett |
| E-mail address: | millieb1947@yahoo.co.uk |
| Comments: | Trying to trace my husband's family history. They were the Farrows of Stackstead Bacup.Parents William and Mary Ann Farrow. |
| Name: | Adele Earnshaw |
| E-mail address: | adele.earnshaw@talktalk.net |
| Comments: | I've been a long-time user of this marvellous web-site. I read this guest-book regularly and await each update eagerly, especially to see if anyone with a possible family connection to me emerges.
My paternal grandparents were both Bacupians, as is my Dad. I know I must have many relations still in the area, if not the town itself. So, if you are an EARNSHAW, or a BAINBRIDGE, or know someone who is, please contact me. I have so much information on the dead, it would be nice to contact the living :o) With best regards to Wendy, Adele Earnshaw |
| Name: | Jackie Walker nee Lord |
| E-mail address: | jjme@mweb.co.za |
| Comments: | Thanks for this lovely site. I left Bacup to come to live in South Africa in 1977. Saw a photo of Felix the policeman who my dad often used to talk about from when he was growing up. Pity we dont have "Bobbies" like that these days. Many thanks !! |
| Name: | Heather Spence |
| E-mail address: | hspence1@btopenworld.com |
| Comments: | Hi Wonderful site. I'm looking for info on the Barretts 1850 to present. I know that a Robert Barrett moved from Colne to Stacksteads around 1860, he had more than 10 children. Can anyone help??
|
| Name: | jeff |
| E-mail address: | fishkeeper7@msn.com |
| Comments: | Hello - great site - if anyone has any information on a John Howorth (Cotton manufacturer in Bacup) wife Ann and daughters Elizabeth and Harriet and Mary, living in Hampsteads Newchurch,Bacup. He would have been 49 in 1861 and 30 years later was living in Bolton by Bowland.
His daughter Elizabeth married Joseph Goodman Kitchen who was my Great Great Grandfather. Thanks in advance for any information. Jeff Kitchen |
| Name: | Andrew Nightingale |
| E-mail address: | andy_n@sky.com |
| Comments: | Hi All,
My Sister Lynn and I are trying to trace our Half Brother.Our Father Edward("EDDIE OR tED")nightingale who was married to bertha joan cunliffe had an affair with a miss sonia white who was a sunday school teacher in Weir.I am 48 and Lynn is 57.It would be so nice if anyone could point us in the right direction.We have been searching for years but to no avail. Many Thanks. |
| Name: | barry |
| E-mail address: | veklee@yahoo.co.uk |
| Comments: | h idoes anyone have any information on william coates scots guards kia 1914
thanks barry |
| Name: | Judith Ratcliffe nee Bohen |
| E-mail address: | judith.rat33@talktalk.net |
| Comments: | I just want to correct my earlier message (24 Sept 2007) in which I said that I had "no contacts in the area now"! - I have today been reminded that is not true! - I have a very dear friend, Hilary Tattersall nee Caygill living in Crawshawbooth. We were friends all through our teenage years and have remained so since even though we rarely see each other these days. IN the 50's we used to ride our ponies all over Bacup, Britannia, Stacksteads, Deerply and beyond. We do however, correspond every Christmas.
(I suppose that I meant to say that "I have no contacts in Bacup now" - but that's not true either! I worked in Bacup Library for several years prior to '66 and also write to Dorothy Smith, Senior Assistant at the library until her retirement about 20 years ago. As one gets older, one tends to forget! I must get in touch! This reminds me that I also worked in the library with Joyce Aked nee Hargreaves and Gail Laycock nee Buckley - does anyone remember them. In July this year I saw them both at Joyce's Ruby Wedding celebrations! What a great time we had reminiscing! |
| Name: | Simon Midgley |
| Comments: | Wonderful site. Masses of really good information on old Bacup.
Thanks. |
| Name: | Dr Bernard Ratigan |
| E-mail address: | bjr@dircon.co.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.bernardratigan.co.uk |
| Comments: | I am researching the life and times of MARGARET ALLEN who was executed on 12 January 1949 for the murder of Nancy Chadwick. If anyone has any direct memories of those events, or remembers others' memories I would like to talk with them. I am particularly keen to trace of her living relatives.
I live in Leicester but come originally from Rochdale so know the area well. My phone numbers are 0116 270 8158 and 07912 359 559. I would be most grateful for any help. Dr Bernard Ratigan |
| Name: | Tom Ratcliffe |
| E-mail address: | TRatcliffe@satx.rr.com |
| Comments: | Keep up the good work. Found my cousin Michael Ratcliffe, last contact over 50y ago. He carried on with Quarrying at Upholland nr Wigan. He reminded me of the past I could not remember, until he mentioned certain events. The army guy's going into the Quarry, maned anti aircraft guns up round the Quarry. People in the valley were asked to provide for them. His father my uncle Norman took them home so they could feed and bath at his house. He used to return to Bacup to visit with his old neighbourgh Lord, up spring mount. they bought the paper/shop at Wesley Place.
My Grandfather built the a lot of the houses opposite John Willis. Also donated the Townhall Gates at Stublee. |
| Name: | maxine shaw |
| E-mail address: | maxine.shaw2@ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | Hello.my name is maxine shaw(nee) Quinn, i have spoken to my brother David Quinn who says you may be my second cousin,after seeing what my brother had to say i recognised a name. John bushby. who i think is not far from my brother's entry i know he had some connection in some way to my Grandfather's and Grandmother's family and i certainly know my mother joan Quinn (nee) lord had a lot of knowledge of the bushby's,as she always made a joke of a john being named after someone who was not known by his propper name,it;s been a long time since she died and i can hear her saying the joke but can't actually remmember it word for word, but i'm certain it will come to me and i know that before we lived at industrial street. my parents joan and vincent Quinn lived at 60 fairview road. And My Grandmother Alice Lord,(Nee) johnson originated from norfolk but lived at sandfield road right up until she died. i don't know if this is of any help or even if this is wendy. i also know that Irwell spring band and the Britannia nutter's also figure in the story as my Grandfather and great uncle Billy used to be player's of the band i know that there is some connection with the nutter's in some way but not sure how. if i can remember anything else i will hopefully let you know Thursday 31st July.8.50 pm |
| Name: | Dee Holt |
| E-mail address: | dee@dobx44.freeserve.co.uk |
| Comments: | What a wonderful site. Congratulations to everyone involved
My father's family (Crane) were all born in Bacup in the 1890's, moved to Barnoldswick c1911. EBENEZER CHURCH Bacup Can anyone tell me what happened to the Memorial Tablet, erected in 1920, to the fallen churchmen 1914-1918, when the church was demolished? Two of my family are named on the Memorial. |
| Name: | richard hamer |
| E-mail address: | richard@rmhamer.com |
| Comments: | My ancestors on my father's side came from Summerseat (one of them built Summerseat House) so it's been very interesting visiting your site. I'm sure Summerseat looked very much like your photos show. |
| Name: | DerekPalgrave |
| E-mail address: | palgrave@one-name.org |
| Name: | alan barnes |
| E-mail address: | zorro62uk@aol.com |
| Comments: | great site i still remember some of the old places from when i was a kid |
| Name: | Mark Overton |
| E-mail address: | meoverton@iprimus..com.au |
| Comments: | Hello from Australia
I am busy researching my relatives the Heyworths from Bacup and Newchurch. My Great grandfather John Crabtree Heyworth b:1860 and all his ancestors are from this area. Very interesting. Thanks |
| Name: | Paul Narramore |
| E-mail address: | pn31146@hotmail.co.uk |
| Comments: | Local man Ben Drinkwater was killed during the 1949 Junior TT race on the Isle of Man and I've written a memorial page for him.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?GSfn=&GSln=Drinkwater&page=gsr&GSmid=46601741 Today I unexpectedly received an email from his daughter Doris who was six years old at the time of his death. She told me she was in Bacup for only an hour and had failed to find her father's grave in the Bacup cemetery. I wonder if someone could find the time to visit the cemetery, search for the grave and photograph it so that I could complete the memorial page. This would be nice for his daughter too. |
| Name: | Mike Lucas |
| E-mail address: | Lucasbahn@hotmail.co.uk |
| Comments: | Hi. I was born on a Bacup farm in 1957 then moved on Todmorden rd in 63. Went to Sharneyford and Blackthorn schools. Left school in 72. Worked as a coalman for my dad. Moved to Morecambe with my wife in 77. She was a Bacup lass on fairview, Elaine Walton. We are still wed and living in Blackpool. Not been to Bacup for a few years but we still have fond memories of the place. BACUP was our childhood, and the start of our married live, so its nice to see pics of our old town. Will visit again someday. |
| Name: | diana back (nee griffin) |
| E-mail address: | backd4470@aol.com |
| Comments: | dont no if anyone can help me i am looking for information on a house i lived in when i was very young. its 34 pennine road (formaly fairview road). i just wondered if any one else who lived there had encountered ghosts. if you have any information on this property would be very nice to hear from you thanks and hope some one can help me. or if any one can give me some back ground on this property e.g when built or any websites were i can gather information. |
| Name: | Tom Ratcliffe |
| E-mail address: | TRatcliffe@satx.rr.com |
| Comments: | "Thank you once more for this great web site." Telling my Aunty about running down to the Tollbar on hearing that hundreds of G.I.'s in trucks going thro the valley all Tunstead and the Catholic school had formed a big crowd, so the trucks slowed down. "Got any gum chum?". Out it came, and they had to slow down as we dived on it. They must have wondered what they had arrived in. 1940 -- 41.? Then she tells me that a convoy of soldiers drove to the Qarry and worked then drove out at night. We had stacks of Canadian Timber stored. We made concrete flags and built air raid shelters on site. I would go with the trucks and men down to Manchester, after a bomb raid to do demolition and clear the streets. On Sundays after church, Michael and Uncle Norman would take me with them to work on the concrete machines, maintenance. All ways remember me and Michael grinding in valves on a water pump. Mum used to get on to Dad Tom for sticking his nose in and not waring a mask. every ware was deep in concrete dust. Dad became ill in July 1943 and died 8 Nov 1943. Does anyone have any info on Lee Mill Quarries or what the soldiers where doing their. Met up with Carl Whittacker in 1947, his father had been a foreman at Lee Mill. I lved at Goosnargh then. Met im about 1954 in Preston. Keep up the good work and GOD BLESS. |
| Name: | Anne Clark |
| E-mail address: | anne.clark@oldham.gov.uk |
| Comments: | Fab website. My mums family the late Joyce Newman came from Bacup and I am trying to trace her family tree. Her grandad was Walter Nuttall the band conductor and Lord Mayor. There seems to be a connection to Ashworths/Lords and Hartleys. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Got loads of brass band stuff from Irwell band!!!
Anne Clark Oldham |
| Name: | Connie Green |
| E-mail address: | connieg24@hotmail.co.uk |
| Comments: | Found this site and just have to say a big thank you. It is wonderful. If only it was for all the places that I am researching! |
| Name: | Mary Hayden |
| E-mail address: | maryehayden@yahoo.ca |
| Comments: | Hello,
My name is Mary Elizabeth Hayden, I am the daughter of Charles Frances Hayden Jr. (who was son of Elizabeth Hayden (nee Kirkwood) and Charles Frances Hayden Sr....two Bacupians). My reason for writing is that, recently, I came across a newspaper article from the Bacup Times that is dated sometime, it looks like, in the 1920's. The writer is describing the meeting of two Bacupians in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada (where I now live as my Father and his parents settled here years ago). The article reads, part way through...."Some of my readers may remember the parties concerned, one being Mrs. Hayden nee Miss Elizabeth Kirkwood, sister of Mr. Robert Kirkwood, formerly of the Bacup Borough Police Force, and who now resides in Boston, U.S.A. Mr. Charles Hayden is chief electrician on the C.P.R. steamer "Empress of Australia", which was on relief work in Japanes waters durig the recent disaster. Upon returning to Vancouver, British Columbia, several of the officers took up residence and their names were published in one of Vancouver's daily publications. The account was seen by another Bacup family in the name of McLoughlin (Peter McLoughlin), who left Bacup in the year 1912.........The distance between the two families was but a day's journey so Mrs. Hayden paid the McLoughlins a visit, and Bacup was "combed" from one end to the other". I am the daughter of Charles Frances Hayden Jr., I am most interested in learning more about my father's, and grandparent's roots in England. My father, who also became an electrical engineer, followed in his father's footsteps, also sailed on the Empress ships with is father, settling in Vancouver, and later marrying my mother. It is interesting, indeed, that in the last paragraph of the Bacup Times newspaper article, the writer writes: "According to the letter we have received, this meeting was very pleasant indeed and one that will not be forgotten for some time to come." Indeed...here I am, almost in 2008, writing about an article written 80 years ago! I look forward to hearing from anyone who may have information you can provide to me of my family's roots. Thank you! |
| Name: | Jack Shaw |
| E-mail address: | Jackshaw1957@Hotmail.com |
| Comments: | What a great site brought a lot of memories back.Lived in Bacup all my life i have just turned 50.Will keep visiting it regulary.Thanks. |
| Name: | Jarkko Pohjanen |
| E-mail address: | jarkko.pohjanen@elisanet.fi |
| Comments: | Hi,
I'm from Finland and my Great Grand Father died in Bacup. He's name was John William Aspden born 5.11.1865, died 13 or 14.5.1928 in Bacup. I would like to find his graveyard from Bacup. I have a photo of his "stone" and in it it's written E626 John Willian Aspen but I do not know where it is! Please help me to find his graveyard! I will visit in Bacup next Monday, 3rd of Dec, and would like to visit there! Thank you in advance! Kind Regards, Jarkko |
| Name: | Sheila Wagner/Etherington |
| E-mail address: | shewagner@yahoo.de |
| Comments: | Hello, I regularly visit your site, it's wonderful.
I was born in Britannia in 1950, but moved to Austria in 1970. I try to visit Bacup as often as possible and still regard the area as 'home'. My best wishes Sheila |
| Name: | Ian Douglas Ward |
| E-mail address: | iandward@btinternet.com |
| Comments: | I have never been to Bacup but my father, Douglas was born here in 1923, and his father, Richard Bulfield in 1899. Both are now dead, and in researching family history I visited to see that Rockliffe Road is still there, No 47 my grandfather lived in, he ran a cafe and shop, his father in law lived there before him, and my father was born there. Hope to get up to walk the streets some time soon
Ian Ward |