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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Yorkshire (West Riding) => Topic started by: LyndseyB on Sunday 22 November 09 19:22 GMT (UK)
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Hello
Does anyone know what local newpapers would have been in circulation in the Batley areas in the late 1880's and where they would be held? In the late 1880's John Richardson stole the patent to some mill machinery and escaped to America (leaving his wife and young son behind) with the police hot on his heels. I'm hoping that there would have been newspaper reports.
Also where would the Batley parish records be held?
Many thanks
Lyndsey
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Lyndsey
Batley News is on Fiche at Batley library..ive used it for Great War research im sure it goes back earlier.
http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/events/venuedetails.asp?vID=48
Ady
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Many thanks Ady.
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Hi i have just been looking at a Batley reporter 1813 at Huddersfield library on micro film they had many years
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Hi Kaz
I did reply to thank you for that information but it doesn't seem to have appeared! Hopefully this one will. Huddersfield Local Studies tell me they have copies of the Batley News for the years I am interested in (1885-1891). They advise me to try and narrow down the time span as 7 years of papers are a lot to search through but I don't see how I can.
Lyndsey
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They were very helpful even when i wanted a photcopy kept trying until it was ok to read, but yes it will be a lot to read as writing very small, book a reader as time goes quick and it is very busy good luck
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Thanks for the tip about the reader. I'm down in London so I'm afraid my visit will have to wait until next spring when the weather is better!
I still think the newspapers are my best bet but meanwhile maybe I should try and approach the problem from a different angle - in those days if you were on the run from the police and planning to flee the country to America from what port woud you sail? My geography of the North of England is appalling.
Lyndsey
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Probably Southport, if you can narrow down the neswpaper i could look for you or give me some details and will see what i can find as i work in dewsbury and near batley library
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That’s a very kind offer Kaz, thank you.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to narrow it down from 1885 when he married Susan Roberts and 1891 when only Susan and son Percy appear on the census records.
I know from their marriage certificate that his full name was John Edward Richardson and he was born c1863. His occupation was given as a ‘Dyer’. His father was Benjamin Richardson and he was a Bottle Maker.
Is there any other information that would be useful?
Lyndsey
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Sorry i am being a bit thick what info is it you are looking for in the newspapers, if it is certificates for birth etc i can call in dewsbury register office. All my old relatives are around batley dewsbury and thornhill so have spent some time getting certificates at dewsbury
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John Richardson stole the patent of some mill machinery and fled to America, leaving his wife and son behind. The police were after him. I was hoping that the case might have been reported in the local press.
When my Dad was a little lad (he's now 80) he remembers a solicitor coming over from America looking for Richardson's. He recalls the solictor having his photo taken outside their house to prove he had beeen there, but he can't remember anything else about it.
Is the Thornhill you mention the same as Thornhill Lees? Although John was born in Liverpool I believe both his parents (Benjamin and Mary Richardson) were born in Thornhill Lees.
Lyndsey
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Thornhill Lees is just outside Dewsbury. :)
Ady
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If i get chance will try to look thornhill and thornhill lees are side by side.If i can am i looking at 1880 for 5yrs ?
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HI
If you try contacting the Batley News via their website they may be able to help you narrow it down as they might have a better sort of database for pulling off information.
It's worth a try if nothing else.
Wendy
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Hi Kaz and Wendy
Thankyou for your replies. The years I am interested in are 1885-1891. However, I shall first follow your suggestion Wendy and get in touch with Batley News, I don't know why I didn't think of that myself.
Lyndsey
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His father was Benjamin Richardson and he was a Bottle Maker.
I know it's nothing to do with the original question, but there were three bottleworks in the area which he could have worked at, all in the Thornhill Lees and nearby Savile Town area, during the late 1800's. Kilner Brothers of Thornhill Lees was the largest, also nearby Adamson (later Adamson Douglas), and in nearby Savile Town was Thomas Turner's. I collect old bottles and have items made at all these works.
The Dewsbury Reporter newspaper might be of use in your quest...
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Many thanks for that snippet. It's handy to know.
Lyndsey
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Hi...
As your story is quite unusual maybe you should contacy Margaret Watson at the Dewsbury Reporter, she runs the nostalgia/local history column and is also a member of Dewsbury Matters local history group.
She may well have come across your story in the past, also maybe contact Malcolm Haigh a very good Batley author he may well know the story.
Cheers
Tim Bickerdike
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Hi Tim
Thank you so much for your suggestions. I have already been in touch with Malcolm Haigh and he doesn't know anything but I shall give Margaret Watson a try.
Thank you again
Lyndsey
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Hello,
I am looking for a Richardson who fled to America in this time. Any information would be greatly appreciated. He was allegedly my gandfathers father, as my great grandmother had worked at the mill.
Thank you!!
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Hi med_saff
With help I was able to locate John Edward Richardson in America where it seems he did very well for himself. It is looking very unlikely that the alleged theft was ever committed.
If you require information about him please pm me.
Many thanks