TAMESIDE GROUP NEWSLETTER
June 2014
‘We still need occasional volunteers‘
Members’ Day 18th October It is Tameside’s turn to host our AGM and
Members’ Day this year. I have booked Stalybridge Methodist Church as our
venue and so far have six people who will help during the day, but I am going to need another three or four
people to help in the kitchen on reception, manning a stand and generally greeting and helping our visitors
from all over Cheshire, and many people to contribute some home baked goodies for refreshments. The day
will consist of two talks. I am planning to have a talk about the Murder of George Storrs in the morning with
perhaps a guided walk in the afternoon. In the afternoon Alan Rose has agreed to talk about Chartism and
various Riots and Disturbances in Stalybridge. The business of the AGM usually only takes about half an
hour just before lunch. PLEASE HELP ON THE DAY. This is the first time Tameside will be the host.
More details as we get nearer the time.
New Society Website has been unavoidibly delayed.
British Newspaper Archive have just added nearly another 240,000 pages including the Penny Illustrated:
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ New 1 month subscription - only £9.95
Find My Past: Have just added over four million Devon Parish Records. I am also attaching a help guide
published by Family Search of hints and tips for using the new FindMyPast search pages.
Ancestry: Have just added the parish records for Cornwall, but as yet browse only, I would get the reference
from Cornwall Online Parish Clerks first and then browse, armed with some idea of where to find, for the
images.
Here’s a handy animation to explain Family History Relationships:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM79Epw_cp8
Cheshire BMDs: Deaths: Replaced 17,430 for Tameside, registers at Tameside (1978-2007) to add age at
death.
Manchester’s Victorian Police Stations and their most famous detective otherwise known as the
Manchester Sherlock Holmes: http://www.victorianpolicestations.org/jerome-caminada.html
Tameside from Above: 30 historical aerial photos:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/nostalgia/tameside-air-30-fascinating-aerial-7125383
Quakers launch on-line archive: http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/quakers-launch-online-archiveand.html
http://www.image-restore.co.uk/ seemingly good website offering colourisation and renovation of old
photos
Manchester and Lancashire FHS is offering the following publications from its online bookshop.
World War 1: Life on the Home Front in North West England
In this unique DVD to mark the centenary of the First World War, the North West Film Archive opens its
vaults to share compelling footage of life on the home front in North West England.
From industrial toil in the years leading up to the outbreak of war, to key events during the hostilities - join
BAFTA nominated actor Maxine Peake on this fascinating journey into the past. Drawing on rare archive
footage we feature amongst others, the Accrington Pals, the Lancashire Fusiliers and the Cheshire Regiment
as they prepare for active service on the Western Front.
We discover the early days of aviation, and German Prisoners of War being marched through the streets of
Lancashire. From troop inspections in Preston and Blackpool, to the subsequent victory parades in Whalley
and Haslingden and the unveiling of war memorials from Egremont to Altrincham.
Presenting evocative footage filmed across the North West a century ago - don’t miss this special opportunity
to experience how we lived our lives during one of the darkest periods of our history.
To purchase go
to http://www.bookshop.mlfhs.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=109&products_id=1554
Preston and its Guild 1902-1992
To mark Preston Guild 2012, the first Guild of the 21st century, the North West Film Archive at Manchester
Metropolitan University is proud to present a 20th century story of Preston and its Guild, as told through
unique archive film.
Narrated by Roy Barraclough MBE, and produced in collaboration with the Harris Museum & Art Gallery, the
DVD is official Guild merchandise.
To purchase go
to http://www.bookshop.mlfhs.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=109&products_id=1572
Forgotten Fields
Walk around Manchester city centre today and it is difficult to appreciate that in the nineteenth century you
would never have been more than a few minutes walk from a graveyard. Today, virtually every trace of these
once numerous burial grounds has been erased.
John Marsden takes you on a tour of thirty-seven of Manchester’s burial places, starting with the preconquest parish churchyard and ending with the emergence of cremation as an alternative to burial. He
discusses the development of burial in the city and its eventual banishment to the suburbs following the Burial
Acts of the 1850s. The book provides a history of each graveyard, tells what became of it and highlights
some of the more notable burials which took place there.
The book tells many fascinating stories. The struggle between the churchwardens and clergy of the
Collegiate Church over the location of a new parish burial ground (and their ultimate failure to provide one);
the story of the Manchester Ophelia; the death from cholera of an early black boxer and the coffins washed
out of Philips Park cemetery in the great flood. These stories and many more add a human dimension to the
grim industry of disposing of Manchester's dead.
Crown Quarto, Paperback, 221 pages, 90 black & white illustrations.
To purchase go
to http://www.bookshop.mlfhs.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_12&products_id=1553
Programme for 2013 - 2014:
July – I have now confirmed a visit on 9th July to the Imperial War Museum for a tour of their “From Street Life
to the Trenches” exhibition. Travel should be easy via the Metrolink. I am negotiating extras like lunch in the
café first and also a trip up to the Shard Viewing platform. More information soon There will be a separate email
to members only to offer places first. Will offer to our wider group later if places are not filled.
Any changes or alterations to our programme will be posted on our Society website: fhsc.org.uk click on
Groups and then Tameside. Meetings are held in the Old Chapel schoolrooms, Old Road, Dukinfield, on the
second Wednesday of each month (except August), starting at 7.00 pm. £1.50 for members and £2.00 for
non members, tea and coffee on arrival.
Our Local Committee met on 30th April mainly to discuss future events, but also the purchase of new
equipment. We do have the money but buying a new laptop and projector is going to cost quite a bit. The
projector was bought in 2002 (ancient in technology terms) and the netbook in 2007. The netbook still runs
on Microsoft XP which is not longer supported from this month. Both these items have started to fail, so we
do need replacements. I will let members know what we decide. Have more or less decided on which
models to buy and will be able to demonstrate at our AGM in September
Gay Oliver: gayjoliver@gmail.com 10 June 2014