Genealogy with George

The Brigantes and the Pre-Roman Spen Valley

According to local historian, Thomas William Thompson, the Spen Valley was once inhabited by a “brave, fearless people” who were “small in stature” but made up for that by their physical strength. They were known as the Brigantes and controlled the vast majority of Northern England in pre-Roman times. The Geography of the Spen Valley…
Finding our Ernest and Emily

I ran out of the door, already late for the 254 bus to Dewsbury, with the intent to finally find the grave of my Great Great Grandparents. It was the dying days of August, and the weather was aptly grey and gloomy. I had to catch the 202 from Dewsbury, up to Hanging Heaton, which…
Catherine Conley: A Life of Loss

Catherine Conley was born in the July quarter of 1873 in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland in County Durham. She was the eldest daughter of James Conley, a coal miner, and Bridget Cook. Bridget had another child from a previous marriage named Charles McIlroy, but her husband sadly passed away around the time of his birth. Bridget’s loss…
Richard Totton: An Extraordinary Extra Ordinary Man

After a pregnancy in the wettest summer and autumn in years, Alice Totton (formerly Berry) gave birth to a boy on 25 November 1875. Given the name Richard, he was the youngest boy of Alice and William Totton. Just under three years later, his sister Ethel would take the spot of the youngest child. This…
William Henry Hall: The Drunk

The youngest child, William was born on 13 February 1842 in Batley, Yorkshire. His father was Jeremiah Hall and his mother was Harriet Hall. The couple married at Batley Parish Church on 8 September 1830 and had five children (including William) that survived infancy. I do not want to dwell too much on William Henry’s…
Jeremiah Jackson: A Dyer Doomed to Death

Jeremiah Jackson was born in the second quarter of 1885 to Elizabeth (maiden name Broadhead), aged 36, and Thomas Hulme Jackson, aged 35, in Robertown. He was baptised shortly after birth on 21 Jun 1885 in Liversedge. The couple married in the second quarter of 1875 and by 1891, the family resided in 3 rooms,…
Jeremiah Hall: The Forgotten Hall

The third child of Joseph Hall and Ann Gledhill was born on 4 Mar 1804 in the Parish of Batley. A boy, he would be given the name of Jeremiah and would be baptised1 at Batley Parish Church on 2 Apr 1804. Batley Parish Church was also the place where Joseph Hall and Ann Gledhill…
York and Me: Blood and Beauty

York has always been a place I have loved since my first visit was in 2012, aged only 7 years. I went with mum and grandma to visit the city but also to see the Queen and the extended royal family who were in the city at the time. My love of York began after…