Published in London and New York in 1930 by Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., and republished here on fully-searchable CD-Rom is the second series of John Roby's Traditions of Lancashire. Originally published in 1831, this second series prove to be an excellent companion to the first series originally published in 1829 and republished in 1928.
Born on Wigan in 1793, John Roby began his career as a banker in Rochdale, but by the early 1820s was consumed by his passion for collecting stories. This led to his publication of the first series of The Traditions of Lancashire, which proved to be extremely influential and a huge hit with the British upper classes. Due to the book's popularity it was quickly followed in 1831 with this publication of a second series of Traditions. Continuing in the same vein as the first series this second series contains another eighteen stories, again accompanied by engravings. As an added bonus the 1930 edition of the second series contained a further three stories which were published in 1853 in "Legendary and Political Remains" after the author's death.
For any one who has a copy of the first series of Roby's Traditions this is an essential follow up.
Published in London and New York in 1928 by Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., and republished here on fully-searchable CD-Rom is the third edition of the first series of John Roby's Traditions of Lancashire. Originally published in 1829, different versions of The Traditions of Lancashire were published in 1906, 1911, 1928 and 1930. This edition, marking the centenary since the Traditions was first published, contains the author's original preface as well as a lengthy biographical sketch of the author.
Born on Wigan in 1793, John Roby began his career as a banker in Rochdale, but by the early 1820s was consumed by his passion for collecting stories. This led to his publication of the first series of The Traditions of Lancashire, which proved to be extremely influential and a huge hut with the British upper classes. Due to the book's popularity it was quickly followed in 1831 with the publication of a second series of Traditions. The popularity and success of the publications led many at the time to question whether or not Roby could have been the real author of the works and some put forward Thomas Crofton Croker as the real authority.
Roby's efforts in The Traditions of Lancashire presaged later work in 'folkloristics' and commonly used the term oral tradition before this came into common academic usage. Calling himself a collector of oral traditions rather than a folklorist or antiquarian, Roby's The Traditions of Lancashire sides with the beliefs of the so-called 'Romaticists', which would lead his corpus of work to come under a large degree of criticism after his death. Roby's view of folklore as a whole was one of faulty utterances of lowly peasants. This led him to weave irreconcilable stories into a coherent whole and rewrite these stories in a more refined style that proved to be acceptable and popular with an upper class readership. Although folklorist continued to use and refer to The Traditions of Lancashire until the 1870s when new works on the legends of Lancashire superseded it. Folklorist, William Axon, writing in 1899, stated that although Roby was a diligent collector of local legends and oral traditions, his main object was purely literary, and for serious folklorists his works had to be approached with a huge amount of caution. Nevertheless, it was acknowledged that Roby's works contained important folklore material whether the author decided to call it this or not.
Containing some 586 printed pages Axon's views of Roby's work are somewhat borne out in The Traditions of Lancashire. With chapters such as Mab's Cross, The Grey Man and the Phantom voice clearly being literary representations of the oral traditions collected by Roby. Others, such as the Siege of Lathom being so clear in popular Lancashire memory and of such recent origin that these could hardly be given the credit of being oral traditions at all. Nevertheless, despite the later criticism afforded to The Traditions of Lancashire, Roby's works did and still have a huge popularity and for this reason alone this publication can be readily recommended.
This is one book from a series of very rare volumes published in 1807 entitled "The Beauties of England and Wales". This volume, for Lancashire, describes the county, its history & antiquities, and places in great detail.
Fully searchable in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Wonderfully funny musings about aspects of old Lancashire life with tales of Pig Burial Clubs, Skelton Lady, Potted Zulu, Clogging New Clogs and Champagne versus Katchup.
Beatifully written and a must for those who have an interest in all things Lancashire
Published in 1825 in two huge volumes, this is one of the finest history books that we have ever seen. Masses of detailed histories of the parishes, towns and villages plus lots of individual family histories too. Beautifully illustrated. If you are interested in Lancashire then this is a 'must-have'
This book was kindly loaned to us by a supporter of the project.
Published in 1868 in two huge volumes this is a complete history of the county of Lancashire dating back to Roman times.
Every parish, hundred, city, town, village and hamlet is described in the tiniest of detail. This type of information is essential to genealogists and family historians as it provides an insight as to how our ancestors lived and what the places that they lived in were like.
Over 1400 pages
Published in 1830 this is a wonderful topographical dictionary containing descriptions of the Hundreds, boroughs, market towns, parishes, townships and hamlets in the County Palatine of Lancaster.
Published in 1852 and containing over 800 pages this huge, beautifully bound book is essential to genealogists and family historians as it provides an insight as to how our ancestors lived and what the places that they lived in were like. Illustrated with maps and pictures the book covers the natural resources and trades of the city, laws, buildings, transport, government, changes and improvements to Liverpool dating as far back as the reigns of the plantagenet Kings.
"A sketch of the environs with a map of the town and directions for sea bathing"
Includes chapters on amongst other topics, the local Air, Soil and Population, Bankers, the benevolent society, Churches, Coffee Houses, Docks, Ferry Boats, Hackney Coaches, Inns, taverns and Lunatic Asylums, Post offices, Poor Houses, Theatres and much more. A very descriptive and detailed tour around Liverpool at the turn of the century.
From Directions for Sea Bathing
"the more quick and complete the immersion no doubt the better. Plunging head foremost has been very generally recommended to avoid any supposed unfavourable effect from too much blood being forced into the head by the water being first applied to any other part"
At the very start of this fascinating book the author writes " I was born in Liverpool, on the 4th of June in 1769 0r 1770. I am consequently about ninety-three years old. My friends say I am a wonderful man. I belive I am........ I can recollect every occurrrence that has fallen under my cognizance, since I was six years old"
Mr Hughes then delivers a superb recollection of a very wide range of subjects such as the 'cruelty of town boys' and the 'state of the streets'. All manner of events, places and people are described here.
Published around 1880, the author describes each street and gives anecdotes about events that occurred in each one. His description includes the type of houses built, who lived in them and their trade.
Example:
"Water Street is one of the oldest of the old streets of the town, being the main approach to it from the river, on the shore of which at it's foot, landed the travellers from the south and west by way of Chester. The ferryboats in the time of Edward II were owned by the monks of Birkhead. They had the privilege, to erect houses to shelter passengers they ferried or were about to ferry over; but in the reign of Edward III they obtained a charter which empowered them to levy a toll of ferriage. The charge was high enough (a list of charges follows)"
An incredibly detailed historical account of the city as it was in the last quarter of the eighteenth century.
A wonderful account of the 'Town' including ancient history, the docks, public buildings, improvements, places of worship, charities, markets and surveys of the town and its environs.
Containing engravings to illustrate this book uses poems, short stories and brief histories to tell tales of Lancashire, often using snatches of speech in local dialect.
Includes chapters on The Fairies Chapel, The luck of Muncaster, A Legend of Brewsey, the Mermaid of Martin Meer, The Death Painter and many more.
A witty little book that will amuse those currently living in Lancashire or those with Lancashire ancestors.
A very unusual and rare series of three separate books compiled by the City Engineer for use by various council departments.
Every street in the city is documented along with details of adoption dates (when the council assumed responsibility for its maintenance), measurements, re-naming details and dates etc.
Each book is in a printed format with many hand written additions and amendments made by, in this case, the Roads Department.
This is an invaluable set of records which will be of immense use to all family historians with ancestors in the City of Liverpool.
A wonderful collection of anecdotal writings which covers subjects as diverse as roads, shops, street vendors, beggars, schools and churches and much more besides, including some lovely illustrations.
This type of book is of fantastic value to family historians as it helps to paint a picture of how our ancestors lived and allows us to view their world as they saw it.
This book produced in 1929 was a very limited edition for those attending the annual conference of the British Medical Association. It has many excellent photographs of Manchester & Salford in the early 1920s. The book contains descriptions of the history of Manchester & Salford, its development, people and industries.
A wonderful history of Manchester with an early 1819 pigot's map of the city. Also included are some absolutely beautiful illustrations.
Two books in one by J. G. Shaw, published in 1889.
A history of Darwen and its growth from earliest times through to the late 1800s. Plus "Old Darwen Families".
Far from being a "dry history", this book is both interesting and fascinating, and also includes details, anecdotes and information on old Darwen families.
Book loaned to Archive CD Books by Blackburn Library.
The authoritative source for Blackburn. It's history, people and industrial growth, etc.
Everyone with Blackburn ancestors should have a copy of this wonderful book.
One of only two directories for Lancaster and District published by Bulmer's, this edition contains some 608 printed pages and is subtitled The History and Archaeology of the Town of Lancaster, with Separate Historical Descriptions of Each Parish and Township within a Radius of about Sixteen Miles.
Beginning with a history of the Lancaster from the Roman Invasion and continuing with a historical and topographical description of the town of Lancaster in 1912, the Directory then provides details on the towns civic, religious and municipal institutions and officers beginning with the Corporation of Lancaster its Council and Councillors and ending with a list of the carriers to and from Lancaster. The Directory then provides an alphabetical list of of the main residents and traders of the town followed by an alphabetical classification of trades and professions.
The majority of Bulmer's Lancaster Directory, some four hundred pages, treats on the parishes and townships within sixteen miles of the town, providing for each historical and topographical descriptions as well as listings of the chief residents, services, statistics, etc. The parish or township of Over Wyresdale, is treated upon in eighteen pages. Formerly part of the ancient forest of Lancaster it then existed in the Lancaster country court district and the union, petty sessional and electoral division of South Lonsdale. With a long association with the Molyneux family, the largest landowner for the parish was the Molyneux successor, the Earl of Sefton. Lengthy descriptions are provided for the notable edifices of Over Wyresdale, notably the Friend's Meeting House, Cawthorne's Endowed School, Abbeystead House, Lentworth Hall and Catshaw Farm, before a full-page biographical note on the Molyneux family is provided. The Directory then provides alphabetical notices of the principal residents and farmers of the villages within the parish, which included Aldcliffe, Cockersand Abbey, Ashton-with-Stodday, Bleasdale, Gressingham-with-Eskrigg, Heaton-with-Oxcliffe, Middleton, Myerscough, Overton, Preesall-with-Hackensall, Quernmore, Stalmine-with-Staynal, Thurnham and Over Wyresdale.
While the level of detail provided by Bulmer's Lancaster Directory on the parish of Over Clydesdale and its villages is the norm throughout, entries for some of the larger urban settlements such as Morecambe, Carnforth and Cartmel carry much greater detail and include trades and professions directories as well as the usual list of principal inhabitants. As Bulmer's Lancaster Directory is restricted to a relatively small geographical area the amount of detail provided on the places and people it does treat on is necessarily that much greater than a complete country directory.
As with all historical directories the uses for the local historian and genealogist alike are almost limitless and this is undoubtedly the case with Bulmer's History, Topography, and Directory of Lancaster & District, one of only a handful of directories that cover this part of Britain.
Published in 1881 this is a wonderful general history of Rochdale with references to many of its people.
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Dear Rod & Co,
I just wanted to thank you for the CD book "Old & New Rochdale and its people" by William Robertson. It arrived (along with my "seconds" 1822 London Pigot's Directory which I still haven't been able to fault for being anything other than perfect!) a few weeks back and I have spent many entertaining hours reading through it.
It is an absolute gem for anyone with Rochdale ancestry, it gives such an insight into the people, lives, values and sense of humour of Rochdale people. Some of the stories and anecdotes are quite hilarious, others bizarre, but all give a real feeling for the time and place they were written of. As an added bonus there were about 3 pages devoted to William Nuttall, brother of one of my ancestors.
Just wanted to thankyou for making this book available and so much more accessible. Keep up the fantastic work!
All the best,
Lucy Nuttall
Written by J. Aiken M.D. and published in 1795 there is only one word that is suitable to describe this book....... Stunning.
Highlights include street maps and plans of Manchester in 1650 and 1793, a plan of Liverpool (with street names), maps of Lancashire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, West and North Ridings of Yorkshire and the northern part of Staffordshire. There are also lots of beautiful engravings to illustrate the text.
On the title page the book is described as containing 'it's geography, natural and civil; principal productions; river and canal navigations; a particular account of its towns and chief villages; their history, population, commerce, and manufactures; buildings, government &c.
The superb descriptions of the principal places in Lancashire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, West and North Ridings of Yorkshire and the northern part of Staffordshire are *incredibly* detailed and will help you to build up a wonderful image of what life must have been like in the 18th century and before.
If your ancestors lived within forty miles of Manchester you will find this book absolutely fascinating.
LOCAL AND FAMILY HISTORY, CHURCH NOTES, ABSTRACTS OF CHARTERS, DEEDS, WILLS, &c.;
FOLK LORE, LEGENDS, TRADITIONS, & etc.
From the preface:
"Re-print from the Leigh Chronicle "Scrap Book," In the volumes will be found many Historical and Genealogical articles and facts which have never before appeared in print, and which, in all probability, would not now be acces-
sible to the student of History but for the existence of the "Scrap Book." The value of the Notes in the re-printed form, will, it is hoped, be greatly increased by the addition of an Index,which, it will be seen,is a very copious one.
Many of the contributions are of great importance as hitherto unpublished contributions to the local history of Leigh Parish and the general history of the two great Counties of Lancaster and Chester."
(Also available as separate volumes on CD - see below)
Volume 1
July 1878 - July 1879
Description see above
Volume 2
July 1879 - January 1881
Volume 3
February 1881 - May 1883
The original Gentleman's Magazine contained articles on a vast array of subjects, including lots of wonderful topographical pieces.
In 1891 George Gomme republished all of these topograhical articles but edited and indexed them into county specific order. Each of Gomme's works contains between two and four separate counties, except for the London volumes.
An absolute goldmine of information about the county, its people and its places.
SEE BELOW FOR A VERY SPECIAL OFFER FOR ALL OF THE VOLUMES.
This is one of the most important resources that we have seen, and one that should be of great interest to all family historians. Published in 1772 it was the handbook of the duties and responsibilities of the Parish Officer.
It includes the duties of the overseers of the poor, the power in relieving, employing and settling, etc. of poor persons; the laws relating to the poor, and settlements, and the statutes concerning masters and servants. The right of Settlement was something that was of great concern to all of our ancestors. Basically, to be able to have right of settlement in a parish, one had to be born there, married there or serving an apprenticeship there. Proof was all-important, especially if a person became destitute and needed support from the parish. Parish officers would have people literally evicted and transported to another parish under such circumstances. What happened about bastardy? What obligations does an apprentice have to his master and vice-versa? This book describes it all, together with the supporting laws.
Other sections of the book include the authority and duty of constables, tithingmen, etc.; churchwardens, how they should be chosen, their duties, church accounts, repairing of churches, etc. There are some very interesting punishments for not attending church and keeping to the rules! There is a section on surveying the highways, Scavengers, methods of taxation of the highways, and laws. And finally, the duties and powers of Watchmen.
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