Memories of Wood street Middleton 1952. It was a very steep hill leading to Langley estate, very narrow. Yet Manchester City Cooperation managed to drive double decker buses up and down, past each other on both sides of the street in all types of weather. At one point the sidewalk /pavement was about 18" lower than the road. Possibly they were trying to change the incline for the buses. The buses had no passenger doors, just an open platform with a hand pole in the middle so you could hang on to it for safety. While the Bus was still speeding but slow enough to beat the traffic lights, the bus conductor would get out of the way to allow some of the passengers from Langley to hop of the buses, just as it was rounding the corner from Wood street to enter the Middleton Garden area close to Tommy's supper bar. Some buses were classed as express buses which meant they were none stop to Manchester city centre. If you did not hop off quick enough, it meant you could finish up in Manchester. At the top of the old Wood street in a side street by the reservoir was a gents barber's shop called 'Joes'. Outside was parked Joe's large motor bike with a side car. The old section of Wood street ended at this area, there was a row of houses across the top section preventing entrance to Langley estate. Just behind the houses the new Wood street entered the new Langley estate. The windows in the barber shop would be streaming with condensation, the air was blue with thick pipe and cigarette smoke. The walls had a brown tinge from the years of smoke. Joe had been cutting hair in this place for years. I remember watching him early one Friday evening. The customers were very stylish, I joke, there was only one style after the war and it was 'short back and sides" in them days. The place was packed etc. Joe did not have time to stop and have a meal. The lads were waiting to get out and have a 'pint o beer'. Joe's wife came in with a cup of tea and a plate of Hovis sandwiches (Yep!! I can remember those small brown butties) I marvelled as he would swish his tea down, but the strangest sight was to see his hands thick with a men's hairdressing called 'Brylcream', it was a heavy white cream. The hair from the customers would be stuck all over his palms like fur gloves as he grabbed his sandwich and gulped it down with his tea.............hair an all.. With words like "ba gum lass, that wus grand' then he would wink and get on burning some chaps head with a very thin long candle I think they called a taper...................... Warm memories Mike Morris Toronto Canada

Mike Morris wrote: >I know this is not genealogy and we would get our wrists slapped on the >Lancs and Manchester list for bringing up these topics. But I have always >found the Middleton List to be receptive to the odd little story about the >small town and its folk. > But this topic would be more than welcomed on the LancsLife list, Mike. Lynne

Angela, there was an old Middleton saying....... 'You can take the lad/lass out of Middleton, but you cannot take Middleton out of the lad/lass' I think it was an old Cotton mill saying and it applied to most of the small towns around the area . Oldham, Heywood, Rochdale and Bury etc. I know this is not genealogy and we would get our wrists slapped on the Lancs and Manchester list for bringing up these topics. But I have always found the Middleton List to be receptive to the odd little story about the small town and its folk. Ask your Mom if she remembers in the centre of Middleton, at the bottom of Wood street, there was a chap who sold a Saturday evening Football paper, it might have been called the 'Football Pink'. People can be so cruel, they use to call him 'daft Jimmy'. He was just one of the many characters that lived in Middleton in the 1950's. He was a lovable character. Best wishes Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Angela & Kostas Nicolaou" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 1:41 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON-L] A note of appreciation to a good friend to the list Hi Mike, I'm the daughter of a Middleton junction lass and I'm going to send mum your lovely walk down memory lane. She will enjoy this, thank you ! Angela Cyprus

Hi Sarah, I think your Hamilton`s are back in the Unsworth area (Emerson country) after their marriage. Just off to work now but I will check for the census details this evening. Kind regards Sylvia. Researching my Lancashire families EMERSON & BARBER in Middleton, plus Rhodes, McAllister, Walch, Fitton, Aspin and Whalley in other areas. >>>>>>>>FROM ORIGINAL MESSAGE > Robert Hamilton and Sarah Emerson Hamilton, married in St. Michael's Tonge in > 1851 ( I have marriage cert.) I am looking for records of their children (I > have one of their sons, John Edward Hamilton, but am wondering if they had other > children. Also Robert's parents were Wright Hamilton and Jane Howarth > Hamilton, married in 1829. I am looking for confirmation of their children. > Sarah Hamilton > USA/Massachusetts

Hi Mike, I'm the daughter of a Middleton junction lass and I'm going to send mum your lovely walk down memory lane. She will enjoy this, thank you ! Angela Cyprus researching Clayton, Pendlebury, Hartley ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Morris" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 7:51 PM Subject: [ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON-L] A note of appreciation to a good friend to the list > Hi Doreen, > I still keep the Middleton list open although my family is not from > Middleton. I consider myself a Middletonian having lived their in the early > days of 1950 through to 1963. I enjoy it when people ask about the various > buildings that are no longer in existence such as the 'Old Vic' the bug hut > at the bottom of Wood street. And I can remember the odd church building in > the Middleton area and also that there was one half way up Wood street. > Alkrington hall was a place back in those early days where they held dances > during the winter months. Or who remembers the swimming pool in Middleton, > where they covered the floor in winter with wood so we could dance away the > winter months. The market place in the pouring rain , the rain running down > your neck from the canopies covering the stalls. The fresh tomatoes from > Blackpool. 'Tommies' Fish and chips. The biggest store in Middleton was > Woolworth's and next to that was the Coop. The store next to the Britannia > pub that use to have sides of bacon hanging up and they would slice them > while you waited. > > I was a nice feeling to arrive in the early hours of the morning on an all > night bus from Piccadilly Manchester having just been given a short leave > before leaving to go overseas with the forces. The walk up Wood street in a > slight mist, you could see the orange street lights in the hills up the road > to Oldham. It was always damp in Middleton, I guess because it was in a > valley. > > I remembered you said you lived near the Middleton Junction. In the 1950's > there was a railway station at the Junction. I use to catch the bus to work > at a local cigarette manufacturers by the name of Senior Service cigarettes. > I was laughing at the bus conductor one Friday night, he was complaining > about the smells on the bus. We had tobacco, mixed with fish from a fish > processing company, plus rubber and chemicals from Vita foam. Eeh! life were > grand in them days....... :)) > > Thanks for being there Doreen you are a blessing to a lot of list members. > > All my best > > Mike > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "doreen EL-AHWANY" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 12:07 PM > Subject: Re: [ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON-L] A list of names I am researching. > > > Hi Mike, > > Glad to see you are still on the list!!! > > Haven`t any Lancashire names to submit - sorry! (I just happen to live in > Middleton). > > P.S. Theres a list of local churches currently being indexed - just click > below and look under "projects". Needs updating/revising when I have a few > spare minutes. > > Doreen. > > http://mysite.freeserve.com/localresearch2 > > > > > ==== ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON Mailing List ==== > Check out the Middleton site for up-dates http://www.vmims.com/middleton.htm >

There mightn't be a lot of activity on this list, but at least it is quality! My family interests in the area are RICHARDSON from Middleton - I see my Thomas Richardson, shopkeeper, on the list of Constables. I would dearly like to find out who his father was as there are two possibilities, one James R from Heywood, the other Samuel R from Mottram in Logdendale (though also of Middleton later). Also these families from around the area - WILD from Heywood, PARR from Birch, DAWSON and BARLOW. All this is a long time ago - my most recent direct ancestor in the area left about 1870, and I can't trace John and Ann PARR after about 1805. Here's hoping. Dorothy

Doreen, We have communicted before about the McCrudden family from Middleton. Thank you for the information you sent. I see on your webpage you list the St. Peters RC records as "N/A". I assume the priest will still not allow access to the records. At 01:21 AM 9/9/03, you wrote: >Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2003 17:07:45 +0100 >From: "doreen EL-AHWANY" <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON-L] A list of names I am researching. > >Hi Mike, > >Glad to see you are still on the list!!! > >Haven`t any Lancashire names to submit - sorry! (I just happen to live in >Middleton). > >P.S. Theres a list of local churches currently being indexed - just click >below and look under "projects". Needs updating/revising when I have a few >spare minutes. > >Doreen. > >http://mysite.freeserve.com/localresearch2

Hello Doreen and the list, I am fairly new to this list and I posted a mesage the other day regarding my brick wall. I was guided to this list from the Lancs list and now I`m wondering if it`s the right place to be because everything seems to be just for Middleton and I`m looking for a family from Chadderton. My father and his parents moved to 11 Stable street, Chadderton after he returned from the first world war and stayed there until sometime fairly soon after his mother`s death in 1927. His sister married in 1934 in The Parish Church of Emmanuel, Chadderton and he married for the first time at Oldham register office in 1933 their name was HODGIN Please can you tell me if this is the correct list? Many thanks, Linda in Cambridge UK

Hi Bill, This is another of yours -------- Marriage St James` Heywood 246 13 September 1884 Thomas Bannister, 25, Bachelor, weaver of Heady Hill, Heap father William Bannister, quarry mason. to Betsy Rhodes, 24 spinster, of George St, Heywood father William Rhodes, weaver. witnesses; Edgar Mitchell and Mary Jane (Barrett?) Kind regards Sylvia. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Rhodes" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 10:21 PM Subject: [ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON-L] Wild HEYWOOD possibility > Dear Dorothy, > > Thanks to Sylvia Walch I have the following info that an "Abraham WILD" was > a witness at my great-great grandfather's wedding in Bury. Since William > Rhodes was from Heywood it is likely the witness Abraham Wild may have been > a friend from Heywood. > > Marriage register - St Mary`s Bury. > 15 Feb 1851. Page 200. Entry 399. > William Rhodes (didn`t sign). Of full age. Bach. Weaver. Heywood. > Father John Rhodes. Weaver. > Mary Butterworth (didn`t sign). Of full age. Spinster. Heywood. > Father - George Butterworth. Weaver. > Wits - Abraham Wild (didn`t sign). Ra. Crompton (signed). > By banns. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: H & D Wakelin [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 1:15 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON-L] A list of names I am researching. > > > There mightn't be a lot of activity on this list, but at least it is > quality! My family interests in the area are RICHARDSON from Middleton - > I see my Thomas Richardson, shopkeeper, on the list of Constables. I > would dearly like to find out who his father was as there are two > possibilities, one James R from Heywood, the other Samuel R from Mottram in > Logdendale (though also of Middleton later). Also these families from > around the area - WILD from Heywood, PARR from Birch, DAWSON and BARLOW. > All this is a long time ago - my most recent direct ancestor in the area > left about 1870, and I can't trace John and Ann PARR after about 1805. > > Here's hoping. > > Dorothy > > > > ==== ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON Mailing List ==== > Check out the Middleton site for up-dates http://www.vmims.com/middleton.htm > > > ==== ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON Mailing List ==== > http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~emmaw/ for free Web Editor software. > Web space. ANY amount. ANY subject. > RootsWeb's Freepages put you in touch with millions. > http://cgi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/acctform.cgi > >

In a message dated 9/8/03 2:04:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > http://mysite.freeserve.com/localresearch2 > > Hi list, I am enjoying your recollections! Though I have none to share, being a descendant of a family from that area, emigrated to US in 1880s. I am researching Robert Hamilton and Sarah Emerson Hamilton, married in St. Michael's Tonge in 1851 ( I have marriage cert.) I am looking for records of their children (I have one of their sons, John Edward Hamilton, but am wondering if they had other children. Also Robert's parents were Wright Hamilton and Jane Howarth Hamilton, married in 1829. I am looking for confirmation of their children. I notice Doreen that you have some birth, marriage, and death records from St. Michael's Tonge parish and would be interested in any and all related to the above individuals. If there's a chance there may be info, I will be happy to give you any more specifics.... Thanks to all of you who have helped out in the past. Sincerely, Sarah Hamilton USA/Massachusetts

Hi again Dorothy, Lovely to hear from you again. Here are the marriages for PARR and WILD from the Heywood end 1839 to 1859. There would probably be others at St Mary`s Bury. WILD James to JACKSON Betty, Ashworth, St James 1844 WILD John to HARTLEY Miriam, Heywood, St James 1843 WILD Lucy to WHATMOUGH Isaac, Heywood, St Luke 1852 WILD William to HEYWOOD Sarah, Heywood, St Luke 1854 WILDE David to TAYLOR Mary, Heywood, St Luke 1859 PARR William to BRIGGS Jane, Heywood St Luke 1852 PARR Joseph to PARTINGTON Hannah, Birch St Mary 1858 It`s those Partington`s again Doreen. Kind regards Sylvia. ----- Original Message ----- From: "H & D Wakelin" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 9:14 PM Subject: Re: [ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON-L] A list of names I am researching. > There mightn't be a lot of activity on this list, but at least it is > quality! My family interests in the area are RICHARDSON from Middleton - > I see my Thomas Richardson, shopkeeper, on the list of Constables. I > would dearly like to find out who his father was as there are two > possibilities, one James R from Heywood, the other Samuel R from Mottram in > Logdendale (though also of Middleton later). Also these families from > around the area - WILD from Heywood, PARR from Birch, DAWSON and BARLOW. > All this is a long time ago - my most recent direct ancestor in the area > left about 1870, and I can't trace John and Ann PARR after about 1805. > > Here's hoping. > > Dorothy > > > > ==== ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON Mailing List ==== > Check out the Middleton site for up-dates http://www.vmims.com/middleton.htm > >

Hi Angie Can you help us to help you better by letting us know something more about these people. First were they from Middleton and if so what other clues you have like Christan names and years if you have no exact dates. There is a Dr Ian Bloor on [email protected] should be able to really help you with that one his web site is www.bloor.demon.co.uk/ if you fancy a look. Most listers will help if they can if only telling you which sites or libraries etc to look at but if you can supply more information any one of us might own a copy of just the list or index or census that holds the key to help you move on. Ivy Manchester UK

Hi Alison, Unfortunately, the burial films for St Leonards only go up to 1903. The later registers are still at the church. It is possible there may be something in the Middleton Guardian (in the deaths). The library have quite a good newspaper index. Doreen. > Hi Doreen > I've just seen you are indexing St Leonards burials. I'm looking for Barton > about 1910 - have you got that far? --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 28/08/2003

Hi Ivy, I`m getting a bit embarrassed now!! I`m not on the library staff - I just go to do a bit of indexing and do a few look-ups. Its great though, meeting a lot of others at the library with FH interests, and making friends through this list. I`ll take a look at my Bedfordshire Goodmans later in the wk. Doreen. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 28/08/2003

Hi there PARKER, I am looking for James son of John CLOUGH. James had a son John Alexander and he lived in Middleton on the 1881 census. John Alexander was born in Manchester in 1845. James was born about 1827. Regards Joan at Devon

Dear Ivy, Yes I do remember that chocolate and wish they still made it. my names are SMITH, CLOUGH, WILSON, MORRIS all at Middleton

Hi Doreen I've just seen you are indexing St Leonards burials. I'm looking for Barton about 1910 - have you got that far? ----- Original Message ----- From: "doreen EL-AHWANY" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 7:04 PM Subject: Re: [ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON-L] A note of appreciation to a good friend to the list > I`ve only been in Middleton myself since the early 1950s. The town will > never be the same again will it? A few yrs ago, the market was moved back to > within a few yards of the old site, but if new plans go ahead, it will be > taken away again. They are to build a new Tesco superstore, so the old baths > and civic centre are to be demolished. > I remember the dances in the baths during the winter months - I was always > afraid that the temporary wooden floors would give way some night! > P.S. If anyone wants look-ups from the indexes - just let me know. Ignore > the top bit which shows a charge - thats finished, but haven`t got round to > altering it. (Am still awaiting my eldest lad to make me a proper web > page!). > Doreen. > > http://mysite.freeserve.com/localresearch2 > > > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 28/08/2003 > > > ==== ENG-LAN-MIDDLETON Mailing List ==== > Check out the Guest book at: http://www.vmims.com/middleton.htm You may find old friends >

Hi Doreen First let me agree with Mike, you do so much to help others it is a pleasure to watch you work. Next I have just looked at your site and also have some Goodmans in Bedfordshire Great Barford to be precise although I can only find one that wandered out of the village. And then the final question after seeing your name all the time on the list I have thought several times that maybe you worked at the library, is this so. You see I too live in Middleton Wagstaffe Street to be precise and the same as yourself don't have hardly any family connections here. As to the recollections of Middleton in years gone by from 1939 to 1949 I lived in Milnrow with grandparents living in Salford and my very best memory of Middleton was as a child my parents and I used to get the 17 bus from Rochdale to Canon Street, when the bus reached the centre of Middleton they used to stop and wait until they had clocked their card in a machine, it was at this point my mother used to delve into her handbag and out came a bar of Cadburys Desert chocolate, I don't know if any of you remember it there was two slabs in the pack and they were very thin, there was 4 pieces of chocolate across the bar and that was our weekly ration, 4 pieces each way. Those were the days as they say. Ivy Manchester UK

I`ve only been in Middleton myself since the early 1950s. The town will never be the same again will it? A few yrs ago, the market was moved back to within a few yards of the old site, but if new plans go ahead, it will be taken away again. They are to build a new Tesco superstore, so the old baths and civic centre are to be demolished. I remember the dances in the baths during the winter months - I was always afraid that the temporary wooden floors would give way some night! P.S. If anyone wants look-ups from the indexes - just let me know. Ignore the top bit which shows a charge - thats finished, but haven`t got round to altering it. (Am still awaiting my eldest lad to make me a proper web page!). Doreen. http://mysite.freeserve.com/localresearch2 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 28/08/2003

I have noticed in a few of the last emails a lot of praise for Doreen's kind help and all her untiring work. I would like to add my thanks to Doreen for past help she has given me in researching my Wild/e family from Middleton. Thanks again Doreen, Jeff Wilde WILD, WILDE, HILTON, HOLLOWS, HEWITT from Middleton LOGAN, FINNIGAN, NEEDHAM, from Oldham