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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: Milker on Friday 13 November 09 10:39 GMT (UK)

Title: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Milker on Friday 13 November 09 10:39 GMT (UK)
I've just been reading with great interest the messages posted about the explosion there in 1917.

I am trying to find out about my wife's Grandmother (Helen Rostron b abt 1897) who worked there.
I've got her marriage certificate from 1918, she married a George Hunter. On the certificate she is resident in Morcambe and is a munitions worker. Her Father Henry Rostron is a fisherman. I believe she may have been born in Chorley as on 1901 census, but I can't prove it.

How do I find out about employee information at the White Lund Factory ?

Thanks.
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: celia on Friday 13 November 09 17:38 GMT (UK)
Milker
I cannot be to sure but from what i have seen in various Archives in the past.Places like schools,Church's & Factories that have closed permanently or been demolished.The records they have are given to the archives (by whom i don't know) i don't know if they include employee information.So if there is an archives in or near Morecambe you could enquire there.You could search the net for Archives.

Welcome to Rootschat by the way ;D

Celia
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: rosie99 on Friday 13 November 09 18:02 GMT (UK)
Her Father Henry Rostron is a fisherman. I believe she may have been born in Chorley as on 1901 census, but I can't prove it.


Perhaps this is her birth registration
Dec qtr 1897
Chorley registration district  8e 521
ELLEN Rostron

Rosie
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Duck on Saturday 14 November 09 08:50 GMT (UK)
Hi Milker

Welcome to RootsChat, you will find this the most helpful and knowledgeable genealogy site on the web.

According to Lancashire BMD, If the 1897 birth in Chorley is correct, then the mothers maiden name is SHARPLES

Regards

Simon

PS.  Can some kind soul put the 1901 census up for me to look at
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: celia on Saturday 14 November 09 12:14 GMT (UK)
Quote
PS.  Can some kind soul put the 1901 census up for me to look at

No they go on the census look-up request board ;D ;D ;)

Celia
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Duck on Saturday 14 November 09 12:43 GMT (UK)
The Ellen in Chorley in 1901 has a father called Thomas not Henry ?
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: andrewalston on Saturday 14 November 09 13:21 GMT (UK)
There's a Mary Ellen Rostron, 4, born in Milford Haven. Her father is Henry, a fisherman in 1901. He is born in Manchester, so there are Lancashire links!

In 1911 it looks like she was going by the name of Ellen, as a servant in the family of David J Job, an engineer on fishing boats.

I would expect that wartime would have meant the end of many jobs in "service".
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Duck on Saturday 14 November 09 13:56 GMT (UK)
I do know that women moved from all over Britain to work at the White Lund Munitions Factory
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Milker on Saturday 14 November 09 14:47 GMT (UK)
Hi All,

Thanks everybody for your help. This is a cracking site. But taken me 2 years to find it.

I'd already found - A Thomas Henry Rostron b1869 in Chorley and followed the family thru the 1871 to 1911 censuses. Also marriage of Thomas Rostron & Helen Sharples in 1891. There was also a munitions factory in Chorley. Henry Rostron worked in a cotton mill in 1911, but in 1918 he was a fisherman ?

I like the look of what Andrew found, It looks very promising. I'm going to check that now.
Helen was also known as Ellen (that's about all my wife knows about her).

Thanks again Ian.
(could not use Ian so used Milker (my Grandad's nick name)).
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: gilesc on Thursday 19 November 09 10:39 GMT (UK)
Hello,
Our local Lancaster Reference Library which will have archives re the munitions factory explosion is closed at the moment for refurbishment. I'm posting this to save any possible wasted journey to view the archives.
carolyn
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Milker on Thursday 19 November 09 11:07 GMT (UK)
Thanks Carolyn,

After much digging it looks like the Lancaster Ref Library is my next step.
I only live about 30 miles from Lancaster, so will check when it re-opens.

Ian.
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: gilesc on Thursday 19 November 09 11:17 GMT (UK)
hello Ian,
I live in Lancaster and use the library very often. At the moment our old reference library is being turned into a family records centre as well as pure reference. This is taking time and so far no firm date for re opening..
If you would like me to look some thing up for you /or at least ask whether Lancaster does hold whatever source you need, let me know and I'll gladly do it.
Regards
Carolyn
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Milker on Thursday 19 November 09 11:57 GMT (UK)
Hi Carolyn,

I was born in Lancaster in 1948, I now live in Appley Bridge nr Wigan.

I'm trying to find out if any records exist of employee details who worked at the White Lund Factory in Morecambe during the first World War. These details may be held in Lancaster ?. I've been looking on the web but can't find anything.

I'm trying to trace my wife's grandmother. On her marriage certificate 1918 to George Hunter it gives her details as 21 years old, Spinster, her occupation as a munitions worker, living at 5 Bucham Street Morecambe, her father was Henry Rostron a Fisherman. I'm hoping to find where she originated from.

Regards
Ian.
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: gilesc on Thursday 19 November 09 12:24 GMT (UK)
Hello again.
I've printed out what you need to find out if possible. I am going to the library on Monday so I will ask librarian. Will probably have to wait until ref libary re opens to access any holdings though. Leave it with me and I will get bak to you ASAP.
Carolyn.
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Milker on Thursday 19 November 09 12:39 GMT (UK)
Thats Great Thanks.
Ian.
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Barbara.H on Thursday 19 November 09 13:57 GMT (UK)
Hi Ian & Carolyn

I am also waiting for Lancaster Library to fully reopen!  :)

In the meantime you could try emailing Morecambe Library to see what they have: http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries/librarydetails/libcon.asp?name=Morecambe

They do have copies or extracts of local papers and will certainly have some pieces on the explosion
http://lclcat.lancashire.gov.uk/TalisPrism/doSearch.do  (at this page, enter White Lund as keywords to search)

So they might know of more general work records - it must be a fairly frequent query for local studies

Good luck
 :) Barbara


Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: gilesc on Thursday 19 November 09 14:18 GMT (UK)
Hello Barbara +Ian,
I'll wait for you to get back to me if Morecambe can't help you Ian.
Thanks Barbara for this message
Carolyn
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: gilesc on Friday 20 November 09 20:14 GMT (UK)
hello Ian
I bumped into the reference librarian to-day. Lancaster library only holds archives relating to the accident. She suggested you ring Preston RO on 01772 533039 to see whether it holds wages/employee records.
BTW there were two munitions factories in Lancaster and there were two explosions. The one on Caton Road  made the shells and the one on White Lund filled the shells.
The librarian is "hopeful" that the new Community History Library will open on the 30th. However, all archives are in store so even after opening it will be a bit messy.
Hope this helps
Carolyn.
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Milker on Saturday 21 November 09 10:13 GMT (UK)

Hi Carolyn + Barbara,

Will try as advised, will let you know.

Thanks again.

Ian.
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: cashel on Friday 26 February 10 14:39 GMT (UK)
Hi

Did anyone find any employee records for White Lund? I'm trying to trace my grandmother there. She was apparently working there at the time of the explosion - though there seem to have been two, one in 1917 and one in 1920.

Thanks

Charlie
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: Milker on Friday 26 February 10 16:17 GMT (UK)
Hi Charlie,

I've not found out yet, keep meaning to.
If I find the employee records I'll let you know.
If you find anything please let me know.

Thanks
Ian.
Title: Re: White Lund Munition Factory Morecambe (2)
Post by: cashel on Friday 26 February 10 17:01 GMT (UK)
Will do