RootsChat.Com

Hi Everyone,
Distant relative in Australia is trying to find out more information on the death of one of her ancestors namely Joseph Barker (1885-1932) who was a colliery blacksmith.  I have his death certificate which tells us he died on 6th. February at the RVI from "general injuries having been crushed by a balance box and contents of crane which toppled over with bogie". Inquests were held on 8th and 11th of February.   It could be that the accident was a little earlier if he didn't die quickly.
If anyone happens to have the time to look in old Newspaper reports on the accident and can add to the details above I'd be grateful.  (Michael?) No rush. Blyth News ? Chronicle or Journal?
 I live 120 miles away so it could be some time before I'm in the NE again.
Joseph was my Grandad's cousin.  Sadly this family had a lot of tragedy in that Joseph's brothers Thomas John Barker and William Barker were the brothers drowned in the bathing accident at Blyth beach in August 1914 which many of you will be aware of. There is information on rootschat about the drowning. Their parents were left with only their daughter Mary.
Many thanks for looking if you have the time.
Rob.

Hello all,
An unsolved date and place of marriage in my research over several years has been that of my 2 x great grandparents Peter Atkinson and Ann Dunn. Their first child Ann was born on 11th December 1853  so a "guesstimate" for the marriage would be 1852 / 1853 ish.
All the usual sources have been tried in the past- bmd, parish registers etc etc. with no luck. It's possible of course that they didn't bother to get married or it was an irregular marriage. They lived at Ancroft Mill.
However I've just found out that Peter's brother Robert was married at Lamberton Toll on 25/12/1854 so it's perhaps reasonable to think that perhaps Peter and Ann did the same.
If anyone has access to the registers or is intending to visit any of the  various Archive Services  in the near future and could check for me I would be most grateful. George Sharp's Lamberton registers span 1849 to 1855 so someone could strike lucky.
There were of course many, many other venues for irregular border marriages so again if anyone could check these out it would be appreciated.
Thanks
Rob.

Hi,
I'm looking to find out some information on Matthew Ogle who was born in 1893 in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland , England. Matthew would be my 1st cousin 1x removed. His Aunt Isabella Johnson Ogle was my Granny.
Matthews Parents were Matthew Ogle 1867-1899 and Catherine Dixon 1871-1903 who also lived in Seaton Delaval. He had brothers Thomas 1891-1915 (killed at Gallipoli), John 1892-1953, George  1894-95 and sister Catherine 1897.
I have found a death record for Matthew for 22nd November 1967 in Houston Harris, Texas.
The last record we have of Matthew is our 1911 Census when he was aged about 17 living at Seaton Terrace, in Seaton Delaval. It would be nice to know about when he went to America and a little about his life there.
Thanks,
Rob

I lived in Delaval Gardens near the top of Plessey Road. Although I never saw any motor cycle track races I was told about them.  In the 50's there used to be greyhound and whippet racing on the far side of the New Delaval recreation field almost behind the Miner's welfare. An upside down bike with no tyres on and a line wound round the wheel rim with a rag on the end (presumably dipped in something to provide the scent)  was unwound down the length of the course - about 100 yards. The line was then wound in quickly and the dogs let loose at an appropriate moment. Such events were well attended by miners and others and betting was brisk. It was all illegal I think as were the games of "pitch and toss"  held in a convenient spot over the pit heap. These was occasionally raided by the law and men would scatter in all directions. I observed these goings on with interest being a youngster then.
I used to play in the areas mentioned by PYFB and walked up past Low Horton farm on my way to the outside swimming pool at Humford Woods.  There were some apples trees at the back of the farm garden!! Enough said!
Rob

Hi Jackie,
Looks promising. Will look into it carefully.
Still recording information from the "break through" - particularly in that father John had moved to Hapton also - living in the same street.   Hapton comes within Padiham which comes within Burnley.
Thanks again.   
Rob