Past To Present Genealogy

Checking out the #FamilyHistory section. No visit to Northumberland would be complete without a visit to the incomparable book lover’s heaven that is Barter Books. One of those occasions when you wish for a rainy day when on holiday. Far more than pre-loved books #Alnwick #BarterBooks #Bookworm

Last Sunday, same view morning and evening - Low Newton by the Sea looking towards Dunstanburgh Castle. #Northumberland

Sunsets on the castles at Bamburgh #BamburghCastle #Northumberland #Bamburgh

The look on her face says it all. Christmas decorations at Belsay Hall and Gardens - we’ve not even had Halloween! #EnglishHeritage #Belsay #Northumberland #ChristmasDecorations

Quite a thrill to get a car park ticket harking back to medieval times #Alnmouth #Burgage #Medieval #CommonLand

The unfortunate tale of the gigantic hairy caterpillar who met the hungry young cuckoo. #Cuckoo #Caterpillar #NationalTrust #LowNewton #Northumberland

wp.me1931: “The Lily of Killarney” by St. Mary’s Catholic ChoirOver the weekend of 31 October and 01 November 1931 crowds were turned away from St. Mary’s school, such was the demand to see the St. Mary’s production of The Lily of Killarney The fact that this …

Another Batley St. Mary’s parish history piece, this time back to 1931 and a production of The Lily of Killarney. It includes names of those taking part. #Batley #OnePlaceStudy #LocalHistory #FamilyHistory wp.me/P4Cet3-6l5

This morning’s office view - a visit to the recently opened Huddersfield Library Hub for some textile history and newspaper research for a client #LocalHistory #FamilyHistory #Huddersfield #WestYorkshire

WYAS Wakefield archives for a day of deeds! Client will be happy. #Archives #FamilyHistory

wp.me1953 – The Third Torchlight ProcessionMonday 5 October 2026 marked 75 years since the inauguration of the St. Mary of the Angels Torchlight Procession. As ever the night was a lovely occasion, with the celebrant this year being the Bis…

On Monday I went to the Batley St. Mary of the Angels Torchlight Procession, 75 years after the inaugural event. This one was 73 years to the evening of the third procession, & I’ve written about that event in the post below #OnePlaceStudy #Batley #LocalHistory #OnePlaceWednesday 👇🏻 wp.me/P4Cet3-6mg

wp.me1959: St Mary’s Amateur Operatic Society Production of CinderellaOn Tuesday 14 October 1958 St. Mary’s Amateur Operatic Society met to discuss their forthcoming pantomime. They settled on that old favourite Cinderella, a choice which may have been sublimel…

The latest St. Mary’s parish history post is about a 1959 production of Cinderella. Some familiar names too. #OnePlaceStudy #Batley #LocalHistory 👇🏻 wp.me/P4Cet3-6jk

wp.meSt. Mary of the Angels, Batley: One-Place Study Update – 1 to 30 September 2026 AdditionsThe summer holidays are over, so I managed to add a few more posts to the Batley St. Mary of the Angels one-place study in September. The six new posts for the month brings the total number to 492.…

It’s the 1st of the month, so it’s time for the Batley St. Mary of the Angels one-place study update for 1-30 September 2026. With 6 new posts in the month, the total is now 492. Details and links to them all below. #Batley #LocalHistory #OnePlaceStudy 👇🏻 wp.me/p4Cet3-6kr

It was a privilege this week to be invited to share some of the early history of the Irish in Batley & the parish of St Mary of the Angels amongst those for who it is most relevant. It was a lovely social occasion too. #FamilyHistory #LocalHistory #OnePlaceStudy #Batley #OnePlaceWednesday

wp.meSeptember 2026 Bulletin History PiecesThese are the history pieces which appeared in the Batley St. Mary of the Angels and Birstall St. Patrick’s bulletin during September 2026. As the parishes are jointly administered and a single bul…

Here’s the Batley St. Mary of the Angels & Birstall St. Patrick’s September parish history bulletin snippets. A varied selection of topics from weddings to funerals, & parish priest changes to church redecoration. #OnePlaceStudy #LocalHistory #FamilyHistory #Batley #Birstall 👇🏻 wp.me/P4Cet3-6kk

wp.me1954 – “The Arcadians” by St. Mary’s Amateur Operatic SocietyThe St. Mary’s Amateur Operatic Society’s production in February 1954 was The Arcadians, described as a show with a light, humorous theme, with good lyrics and attractive songs. The Arcadians might…

I’ve uploaded a St. Mary’s parish piece today, about the 1954 St. Mary’s Amateur Operatic Society production of “The Arcadians.” Lots of names of those who took part. Link below 👇🏻 #OnePlaceStudy #LocalHistory #Batley wp.me/P4Cet3-6ju

wp.me1930 – “The Gondoliers” by St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church ChoirI’ve written about several St. Mary of the Angels theatrical productions of the 1940s and 1950s. This piece takes you back to an earlier era, 1930. It was the production of what was to be a s…

20 Sept

The latest Batley St. Mary of the Angels parish history piece is about a 1930 production of “The Gondoliers” by St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Choir 👇🏻 #OnePlaceStudy #LocalHistory #Batley wp.me/P4Cet3-6j3

9 Sept

Details of the free talk I will be giving in Batley St. Mary of the Angels School Hall on 28 September #OnePlaceStudy #Batley #OnePlaceWednesday #LocalHistory

wp.me1937 May Queen Ceremony: Rita KellySt. Mary of the Angels church was packed on the evening of 02 May 1937 to see the parish’s May Queen, nine-year-old Rita Kelly, crown the statue of Our Lady. Rita Kelly Born in March 1928, she was …

9 Sept

The latest Batley St. Mary of the Angels post is about the 1937 May Queen ceremony. Rita Kelly was that year’s May Queen. #OnePlaceWednesday #OnePlaceStudy #Batley #LocalHistory 👇🏻 wp.me/P4Cet3-6jH

wp.me1936 May Queen Ceremony and Whit-Tuesday Procession: Patricia Josephine HoustonThe girl chosen to be the Batley St. Mary of the Angels May Queen in 1936 was eight-year-old Patricia Josephine Houston. Born on 18 March 1928, she was the daughter of St. Mary’s school teacher Alf…

4 Sept

The latest Batley St Mary of the Angels parish history post is about the 1936 May Queen and Whitsuntide procession. It includes names of many of those involved. #OnePlaceStudy #Batley #LocalHistory 👇🏻 wp.me/P4Cet3-6hN

3 Sept

Shocking service yet again on Sky Sports+ with Bradford v Castleford rugby league demoted to that & glitchy to the extent of unwatchable. Then you check out the dross on the regular Sky Sports channels #SkySports #RugbyLeague

wp.meSt. Mary of the Angels, Batley: One-Place Study Update – 1 to 31 August 2026 AdditionsDespite the summer holidays, gorgeous weather and time off, four more posts were added to the Batley St. Mary of the Angels one-place study in August. This brings the total number to 486. One other…

2 Sept

Here’s the Batley St. Mary of the Angels one-place study update for 1-31 August 2026. 4 new posts were added bringing the total to 486. Links to all below, along with details of a talk I’m giving about the study on 28 Sept #OnePlaceStudy #OnePlaceWednesday #LocalHistory #Batley 👇🏻 wp.me/p4Cet3-6iu

26 Aug

A good reason for my lack of posts this week. We welcomed our new family member #InternationalDogDay #BichonFrise #Puppy

21 Aug

On 28 September, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Batley St. Mary of the Angels Torchlight Procession, I’ll be speaking in the school hall about the Irish in Batley & the early history of the parish up to around the 1880s. #OnePlaceStudy #LocalHistory #Batley More details below.

18 Aug

North Landing, Flamborough - smugglers’ caves, fantastic views & a great beach cafe to boot. Plus glorious weather too! #NorthLanding #Flamborough #Yorkshire #BritishSummer

17 Aug

Next up for the glorious Flamborough coastline is Flamborough Head’s Drinking & the Old and New Lighthouses #FlamboroughHead #DrinkingDinosaur #Yorkshire #SummerHoliday #Lighthouse

17 Aug

The beautiful Flamborough coastline - this is Thornwick Bay #Yorkshire #ThornwickBay #BritishSummer #Flamborough

5 Aug

In Haworth today noticed something I’ve never noticed before, despite hundreds of previous visits. On one of the flagstone paths near the church there’s a roughly etched face of a man in a hat. Does anyone know why it’s there, & the history of it? #Haworth #Flagstone #StoneMasonry #StoneMasons

wp.meThe Building of the Parochial HallThis brick building on Melton Street is intrinsically associated with the RC Parish of Batley St. Mary of the Angels. Over the decades it has been the venue for countless wedding receptions, baptis…

5 Aug

My latest St Mary of the Angels one-place study piece is about a building - the parochial hall. The Proke has been part of the lives of many parishioners over the years, so here’s how it all started & some memories #Batley #LocalHistory #OnePlaceStudy #OnePlaceWednesday 👇🏻 wp.me/P4Cet3-6h0

3 Aug

Bact to the Tudor & Elizabethan period yesterday, & buildings associated with the powerful, ambitious Bess of Hardwick (1527-1608), with a visit to Hardwick New & Old Halls. Plus a surprising link to military WW2 British Airborne Forces history #BessOfHardwick #HardwickHall #NationalTrust #WW2

wp.me1930 May Queen: Eileen Hutton – Part 1The Batley St. Mary of the Angels May Queen for 1930 was Eileen Hutton. Whilst there was no report in the Batley News about that year’s May Queen ceremony itself, 11-year-old Eileen had a prominent…

29 July

I’ve needed a break, so this week I’ve taken time off client work to do my Batley St Mary of the Angels one-place study. It has included uploading 2 pieces about the 1930 May Queen. Part 1 (with link to part 2) is below. #OnePlaceWednesday #Batley #OnePlaceStudy #LocalHistory wp.me/P4Cet3-6ed

28 July

Hardly get time for my own family history nowadays, but had a few minute today & discovered my gt grandad used to be one of the district’s best knurr & spell players in his younger days. #FamilyHistory #Yorkshire

wp.meJuly 2026 Bulletin History PiecesThese are the history pieces which appeared in the Batley St. Mary of the Angels and Birstall St. Patrick’s bulletin during July 2026. As the parishes are jointly administered and a single bulletin…

27 July

The July Batley St. Mary of the Angels & Birstall St. Patrick’s parish history bulletin pieces are now available. As usual it’s an eclectic mix including a Knock apparition witness, mother & daughter school caretakers & WW2 service. #OnePlaceStudy #Batley #Birstall #LocalHistory wp.me/P4Cet3-6fg

25 July

#Rievaulx Terrace & glimpses of the abbey below. The blingy mid-18th century Ionic Temple’s ceiling is stunning with its frescoes, painted by Italian artist Giuseppe Mattia Borgnis with a centrepiece mural based on one by Guido Reni in the Palazzo Rospigliosi in Rome. #EnglishHeritage #Yorkshire

25 July

One of my favourite places today, Rievaulx Abbey. Dating from 1132 it was the first Cistercian abbey to be founded in Northern England. The size, and it’s construction in this tranquil location, never ceases to amaze me #EnglishHeritage #Yorkshire #RievaulxAbbey #Cistercian

And the icing on the cake. Is Trump going to have to present the World Cup to Spain? 😂 #WorldCup

Justice. Argentina showing their true colours from start to end. They do not deserve to win anything. The best team won. Spain. World Cup Winners. Shearer is right - A result for football. #WorldCup

YESSSSS

I fear this World Cup is going to get the winners it deserves. A team that least deserves to win anything.

Oh God. Please don’t say if it goes to extra time we’ll be ‘entertained’ to another awful ‘show’ #WorldCupFinal

Just get on with the football! That’s what it’s supposed to be about.

Thank you Wayne Rooney. Spot on. Saying what football fans are thinking about this half time fiasco #WorldCupFinal

Just get on with the football! That’s what it’s supposed to be about.

Brought the world together? Really? #WorldCup

Thought this was supposed a football World Cup Final. Not a 2nd rate pop concert/cobbled together show & vanity project. Total tripe.

18 July

1st visit for a while to Brodsworth Hall and Gardens #EnglishHeritage #SouthYorkshire

16 July

It’s been a tough week. Last Thursday we said goodbye to Snowflake. The house no longer feels like home, it has lost its little heartbeat. And we feel equally lost, as for over 12 years she has been central to our lives, & she kept me going through cancer. Tonight is no easier than a week ago

15 July

Tonight I’m giving a talk about researching your family tree. Booked in the diary last year. I did check to see if they still wanted to go ahead. Trying to see any positive, I guess it’ll be less stressful than watching the football. #WorldCup #FamilyHistory

15 July

Really enjoyed the talk. A lovely group, and I reckon it was far better than the disappointment of suffering dashed England hopes yet again.

wp.me1934 May Queen Ceremony: Josephine LynchA crowded St. Mary’s church was a kaleidoscope of colour on the evening of 6 May 1934 for the annual May Queen procession in honour of Our Lady. The blue, red and white dresses, as the columns of p…

8 July

The latest Batley St Mary’s one-place study parish history piece is about the 1934 May Queen ceremony, and its participants. #Batley #LocalHistory #OnePlaceStudy #OnePlaceWednesday wp.me/P4Cet3-6dC