rufford lancashire

[darian]

Searching the LDS marriages 1837-1900 i notice the same names occurring continuously as witnesses. I don't know the area and wonder was the town a small nucleus of families. I was looking for the name thomas hobkirk and did find one mentioned a couple of times. also a george, janet and margaret jane. was there an annie bell? Has the town changed much over the last century? darian

[mosiefish]

Hi,

Have you taken a look at Rufford on www.lan-opc.org.uk  ?  One or two Hobkirk/hobkisk entries on there with the names you mention.

Regards,
Mo

[Jeuel]

Quite often the parish clerk or some other person with the ability to write would be a serial witness and just act as witness at most weddings.  There's a serial signer in a Buckinghamshire parish who rejoiced in the name Wildsmith Badger.  Who wouldn't want that on their wedding cert?!

[Hollander]

Hi Darian.

A Thomas Hobkirk appears in Mannex's 1866 North Lancs Directory, as Under Steward to Sir T.G. Hesketh, at Rufford Hall.

[darian]

my thanks to all who replied. very interesting leads to follow and looks like the one i wanted.  what a lovely site of ian-opc.org.uk/rufford
It warrants a visit in its own right. Might get to Rufford too!

[ainslie]

Rufford OLD Hall is well worth a visit.
A

[JOHNNIE]

Can't imagine much has changed over the years.  The A59 runs right through the middle, it's farmland and a few new houses here and there, other than that 1 pub, 1 petrol pump, 1 gunsmith and thats about it. 

There is a new marina on the canal which you'll be able to google and get a feel of the area.

[Lal]

I posted t'other day that the church there is open on Sunday afternoons during the summer and it's well worth a visit, very friendly people in there to ask all about the history of Rufford! Even if it's not open the graveyard is worth a look. And no, it's not changed much at all! A few footballers living there now, and less farm labourers, but it doesn't look very different.

Now, having lots of family around Rufford, I know all too well that not everyone with the same name is the same person! There aren't that many surnames and they liked to pass first names along the generations - you'll find a lot of Caunces, Hunters, Altys, Almonds...

[darian]

sounds fascinating! Its on my 'to visit' prog. for the next year. Thanks again to all.