St Helens

[Melagbe]

In 1893 was there any prisons in St Helens? Why would someone who has lived in Denbigh for many years have a child in St Helens(1901 census). Then go back and live in Denbigh.

Thanks

Mel

[jvy20]

Hi,

As far as I know there were  no prisons in St Helens.

Many families from Wales came to this area to work as coal miners.

I suggest you ask this question on www.sthelens-connect.net as this site deals very well with the history and genealogy of St Helens. It is free to join.

Regards

John

[Melagbe]

thanks John.

I'll try that site.

Mel

[Paradun02]

Hi,
My gt.grandmother lived in Wigan, but all her children were born in Blackley Manchester, this was the home of her parents where she returned to give birth. This crops up several times throughout my ancestors.
Cheers.
Brian

[Suki 1]

In 1893 was there any prisons in St Helens? Why would someone who has lived in Denbigh for many years have a child in St Helens(1901 census). Then go back and live in Denbigh.

Thanks

Mel

I was born in St Helens and then moved to Denbigh when I was 5 ( a bit later than 1893 though!!) and then moved back to  St Helens where I still live.

[andrewalston]

Been reading a history of St Helens recently. It mentioned workers in the copper industry going to and fro from north Wales. There was even a welsh-speaking chapel!

[Suki 1]

I live just round the corner from the old welsh chapel. Its a lovely little building and at long last work is being done to restore it. Here is a small amount of history about the place- along with a couple of photos if the link works!!

THE SUTTON OAK WELSH CHAPEL
The Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel is located on the corner of Lancots Lane and Sutton Road. It's the third oldest listed building in St.Helens and one of only two to have been constructed from industrial waste. It was built by the Wesleyan Methodists in 1845 using cobbles made out of copper slag, donated by local firm Newton Keats & Co.
In 1893 the Wesleyan's moved to new premises and the chapel was handed over to the Welsh community who used it as an undenominational, nonconformist place of worship. The Welsh were then employed in large numbers in the copper works on the Sutton bank of the St.Helens Canal.

There used to be a number of Welsh chapels in the area but Sutton Oak is the only one left. The chapel played its part in the Welsh Revival movement at the beginning of the twentieth century. On Boxing Day 1904 the noted preacher Rev W O Jones participated in a revivalist meeting at Sutton Oak.
After some years of closure, the Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel Preservation Society reopened the grade 2 listed building at the beginning of 2007. As well as being open for special events including arts and crafts, the chapel is now open to receive visitors on Fridays from 9.30am until 4.00pm with tea and coffee available.

[ses]

Hi Suki 1,
Do you happen to know anything about the Tontine Street Weslyan Church
in St Helens. I think is was on the site that is now the main shopping centre.

ses

[Suki 1]

Sorry ses I dont know anything about it. I believe it was where the Chalon way shopping centre is now