Hello Ernest, My name is Sandy Barker and I live in Helena, Montana, USA. I am researching the Barker family from Todmorden. Some time ago I took a tour via computer tour to Todmorden and found it to be a very beautiful place. I have read historical information about John Fielden. This reading gave me a glimpse of the social history of Todmorden. The Todmorden family that I am searching for are as follows: John Barker born about 1772; died February 16, 1849, in Orleans County, New York. This birthdate may be inaccurate. He is said to have married Nanny Hall who died March 5, 1851, in Orleans County, New York. Family stories indicate John was a velvet maker. His son, Joseph, in his memoirs, write that he immigrated with his father, John, in 1816 with these family members: John 2 Barker, born about 1801 in England, died 1874 in Phelps, New York. Col. Joseph Barker, born September 21, 1802, on Todmorden, Lancashire, England, died December 21, 1879. ( our line) William b. about 1811 in Todmorden, died February 1865 in Orleans County, New York. James Madison Barker, b. March 18, 1809, in England, died November 8, 1877, in Orleans County, New York. I note that you have listed your research families the Barker name is one of your research interest. Is there any possibility that our Barker family might be connected you the family you are researching? Sincerely yours, Sandy Barker Helena, Montana USA GBHlnMT1@aol.com

Sandy, My James FIELDEN (1842-after 1911) marr. Elizabeth BARKER (18 May 1863) at Cross Stone Church when she was living in Back Brook Street, Todmorden. She was born in 1841 (I am still considering whether to get the Cert.). Her father was William BARKER (a Carter). Their child Emily marr. Arthur Charles ROBERTS and their daughter Martha Ellen married my grandchildren's other g.father.So that is as far as I have been able to go with the BARKER line. The Book I referred to mentions the BARKER name. I think the first mention is to Mr. John BARKER, a Church warden, of Stansfield Hall who contributed to the writing of the book in 1911 and served the church of St.Mary's for many years in many capacities.There was also a John BARKER of Wellington Road (an active church worker for 50 years!). This same John B. may have also acted as caretaker. Another possible link to your family was the reference to the death of Joseph BARKER of Saundersclough Farm, who was a member of the Order of Oddfellows. I am still working my way through the text -more of a grind than a pleasant read. I also extracted a few BARKER families from the 1881 Census. There may be some in the Lancs. 1891 Census which I received last week. Unfortunately in 1891Todmorden was then in Yorkshire but I have found a few Todmorden names in Littleborough, another town in Lancs. but near to Todmorden. The 1881 Census BARKERs for Todmorden included a BARKER family, as a possible connection to my line,was living at 5 Little Holme Street, and comprised William (58) his wife Susan (57) and three adult children Martha A.(35) James (28) and Howorth? (21). All the children were Cotton Weavers and the father was a Draper's Shopman. If you do not have the 1881 Census I will do a look-up for you and if I find more ref. to BARKERs in the "Book" I'll let you know. Cheers, Ernest ----- Original Message ----- From: <GBHlnMT1@aol.com> To: <ENG-TODMORDEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 10:58 PM