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Genealogy/memories

Howarth and Bradford

(9 Posts)
whitewave Fri 22-Aug-14 09:14:53

My ancestors on my mother's side were worsted weavers first in Howarth and then Bradford - presumably they moved to the mills.

I am keen to find out more about their lives and working conditions. I actually paid a brief visit to Howarth and even briefer visit to Bradford - blimey!! Compared to my roots in Cornwall eons apart, although still poor.

My question is does anyone know of a book that will help me fill in the background of their lives albeit very brief - it would seem the average age for mortality in Howarth at one stage was in their 20's. Keen to find out about condition of lives and living etc.

CHEERS in advance!

ayse Fri 22-Aug-14 10:01:20

Try going to a specialist genealogy forum. If you pm me I'll give you the site that I use.

vampirequeen Fri 22-Aug-14 14:03:39

If you're looking for general information have a look at the Saltaire website. Titus Salt built the town for his mill workers so that they could live in better conditions than those in Bradford. Life expectancy at that time in Bradford was 23. The River Aire was so polluted that if ladies wore silver jewellery near it the silver tarnished and if you struck a match and threw it at the river the fumes above the water would often ignite.

Gagagran Fri 22-Aug-14 14:11:48

Haworth Tourist Information might have some useful stuff too - there is a web site.

rosesarered Fri 22-Aug-14 15:08:24

email Bradford Town Hall, they keep an array of books there about the place, past and present.However, I would have thought that the internet would have thrown up some answers. Try ' Bradford mill conditions for people in 19th century'.Or some such thing.You should be able to find a list of named mills, most are gone now or turned into art galleries and museums, I think Listers Mill may still be producing wool, not sure. My Grandma was a weaver at a mill in Bradford in the very early part of 20th century. She loved it.

whitewave Fri 22-Aug-14 19:33:34

thank you all will give it a go.

durhamjen Fri 22-Aug-14 21:35:14

I always find it's worthwhile looking at the local history society website
www.bradfordfsh.org.uk for Bradford.
The fees are usually quite low for a year, and that's normally all you need.

durhamjen Fri 22-Aug-14 21:36:10

sorry, www.bradfordfhs.org.uk
Too much wine.

gillybob Sat 23-Aug-14 07:59:44

My DH is from Haworth (Bronte country) Whitewave and was born in the early 1950's he had a very good childhood. His father was a small businessman and very strict although he had masses of freedom and often went wandering in the countryside. Oops sorry I know that doesn't help you but I thought I would just say........... smile