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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Cheshire => Topic started by: Barbara.H on Thursday 15 May 08 13:37 BST (UK)
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I have a photo of a great aunt who was Macclesfield Silk Queen 1932. Can anyone tell me about the silk queen tradition? I can't find much about it online.
:) Barbara
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Barbara - I can't tell you anything about the Silk Queen, except to wonder if this was equivalent to a Carnival Queen, for example.
If no-one has other information, you may find something by contacting the local library
http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/Library/library.htm?id=31
or the Silk Museum
http://www.silk-macclesfield.org/visit-our-museums/index.htm
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Thanks, I'll try an email to the silk museum. Do you happen to know what the most likely local newspaper of the time would be called - for a library or archive query?
:) Barbara
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Hi again Barbara - I'm only aware of the current Macclesfield Express (part of the Manchester Evening News group) - there may have been others in the 1930s. If Macc. Library doesn't have papers going back, I do know that Cheshire Records Office has a wide collection on film.
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Hi Barbara, I have quite a few books on old Macclesfield, and in one there is a picture possibly of Brenda Goodwin. The first silk queen was Lilian Jervis in 1930 who worked for a local silk producing firm. The idea was to promote silk across the country, similar apparently to cotton queens in lancashire. The silk queen also appeared in the local carnival. The tradition died out and was briefly resurrected in the 1970's. The local Silk museum should be able to give you much more info than I can, I realise I am responding a bit late and you may already have plenty of information.
regards
Anne
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Dear Barbara,
My Auntie Mary was the first Wool Queen crowned in Dewsbury Yorkshire in October 1931. I have a newspaper cutting from the Dewsbury Reporter dated Oct 14 1994 when they interviewed my Aunt then aged 83 years, about the event. The newspaper cutting gives the following information which might interest you.
"Similar events were held throughout the country as each area ran competitions for a queen to represent local industry. There was the Silk Queen for Macclesfield, the Cotton Queen for Lancashire, a Rose Queen and a Railway Queen. Dewsbury being the heart of the Heavy Woollen District was chosen to represent the woollen industry.....................it became an annual event for many years to come".
She was crowned in a rather magnificent Tudor costume.
best wishes
Charlie
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Thanks Anne and Charlie, what interesting stories :)
I found a record of two pieces of film at the North West Film Archive dated 1932 and 1933 http://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk:591/search/FMPro?-db=WebCat.fp3&-lay=Web&-format=search.htm&-view
Newsreel type films, so I will try to organise a day out to Manchester and see them if they are for public showing.
thanks again :D
Barbara
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Hi again Barbara
there is a very good magazine produced locally called "Old Macc" by the retired editor of the macclesfield express, he has excellent knowledge of macclesfield and would know all about the Silk Queen tradition, not sure how I can pass on details to you though? let me know if you are interested.
regards
Anne
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Thank you Anne :D :D I will send you PM with my email address
Barbara
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Another old newsaper around at the time was the Macc Courier.
Which my mum(born in Macc in 1927) always pronounces as Currier ;)
We have the Old Macc delivered-mum loves it.
I have the email address of the author if you're still needing info.
Carol
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Hi, sorry for late reply,
got sidetracked from the Silk Queens by search for father's army records!
AnnabelleH sent me the Old Macc contact in a PM, so I will get on to that tomorrow.
I would pronounce courier as Currier too - but I've never lived south of Heaton Moor myself!
Remember a discussion long ago about whether Mossley was pronounced Mozzley or not..
Barbara (originally from 'Levenzoom' in Manchester ;D)
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Hi Barbara
I have only just become a member and found this thread. My grandmother was Silk Queen in 1933, Lilian Handforth. She is very much alive and well and is the grand age of 97. The photos she has are stunning and a reminder of the importance of such an industry. I noticed someone mentioned a film reel - It's of my Gran in 1933 and can be obtained from Manchester Metropolitan Uni. There are some photos of her and your Gt aunt that I have seen as well as others. Very precious memories to her.
Regards
Amanda
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Hi my Grandmother was Lilian Jarvis, Macclesfields first silk queen, my mum still has allot of information and pictures of her at home, I will post some of the pictures the next time I visit my parents in Macclesfield. If any
One else has any photos or info I would love to see them!!
Thanks
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Hi Barbara The Silk Queen was chosen originally from Silk mill workers. Now Brenda Goodwin/Arrowsmith my Father (Brendas nephew) and I cannot quite see how you fit into the family tree could you enlighten us thank you.
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Hi,
Brenda was not my great aunt as originally stated, but my first cousin twice removed (I was not so good at family history when I posted this nine years ago :) )
My great-grandfather was John Rowland Goodwin, if that helps.
:) Barbara
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Yes we have him on our family tree. I have started a Facebook group called Macclesfield Families and Ancestry if you are interested. We are doing concentrated research on the Goodwins. Brendas sister Hazel was my Grandmother.
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Can you if you have them show what links you have for the Goodwin Family. I know some were in High Peak and Nottingham shire as well as Macclesfield and Manchester.
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I'll do it from Matthew Goodwin senior downward:
Matthew Goodwin (1811-1883) farmer and Methodist lay preacher, son of Rowland Goodwin and Ann Ford, lived at Oxlow End, Peak Forest. Married twice, first to Jane White in 1856 (who died 1858, no children) then in 1861 to Mary Vernon (1828-1883).
Matthew and Mary had six children:
Annie Goodwin, 1862-1946, married Charles Critchlow. They lived in Lenton, Nottinghamshire and had four children that I know of.
Mary Jane Clews Goodwin, 1864-1934, married Enoch Vernon (another common Peak Forest surname). They lived firstly in Chapel-en-le-Frith, then moved to Bramcote, Nottinghamshire. By the 1911 census they had moved to Stapleford and had had seven children.
Matthew Edward Goodwin, your ancestor, 1867-1953, married Clara Victoria Gordon, children born in Lenton, Manchester and Macclesfield
John Rowland Goodwin my ancestor, 1968-1949, married Mary Emily Fishwick, had four children of whom two survived. They lived in Newton Heath, Manchester. Their surviving daughter Annie had no children. Their son Arthur had one child, my late mother Vera, so she was the last of the Manchester branch of this family.
Ebenezer Worthington Goodwin, 1870-1955, married twice but had no children. He came to Manchester at the same time as brother John Rowland. I think he may have been named Worthington after an employer of his mother Mary Vernon (in the 1841 census she was a servant in Salford, in the house of Ellen Worthington).
Martha Ellen Goodwin, 1874-1954, married William Bryans. They also lived in Bramcote then Stapleford. 1911 census states they had five children of whom two survived.
Taking the Goodwin line further back from Matthew Goodwin Senior, they are solidly in the Peak Forest or Chapel-en-le-Frith areas:
his parents, Rowland Goodwin b. 1777 and Ann Ford, b. 1780
his grandparents, Rowland Goodwin b. 1745 and Ann Beard b. 1740
his gt-grandparents William Goodwin b. 1709 and Annise Hartle b. 1712
I think all those came from the online registers for Peak Forest.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~dusk/index.htm
:) Barbara