Electoral Rolls

[unclejohn]

Whilst I know it's not possible to access census records after 1911 can anyone tell me if there is any way
I can find, on line, electoral rolls for Wigan (Lancashire) and district for the years after 1920.
My Grandfather and Grandmother returned from Canada in 1913 and I'm particularly interested in where
they lived in the period from then until 1938 when I was born.
John

[patrish]

Perhaps you could contact here, if no one is able to help

http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/familyhistory/contact.php

[stanmapstone]

Wigan Heritage Services have Electoral Registers 1874-1900, 1902-1906, 1908-1914, 1918-1939, 1945-1991, 1992 – present.
http://www.wlct.org/heritage-services/local-and-family-history.htm
BUT Electoral Rolls were not indexed by name, you need to know the address before you can find someone.
There was a growing tendency in the 19th century to arrange the lists in the larger towns by street and house number and after 1918 this became obligatory, the electoral registers being arranged by polling district or ward, and then by street or road. This arrangement is a major drawback for the genealogist and even with a street address a search may take a great deal of time.

Stan

[unclejohn]

Thanks Stan and Patrish. I'll give Stan's link a try first and see how I go from there. Thanks again to both of you
John

[carol8353]

If I need to look up electoral rolls,I often try the local Kelly's directory first as they usually are arranged alphabetically.

It gives you just the householder's name,but then at least you have an address to work from.If you have a birth or death cert with the family's address on during that time they too can be very useful.

I access the Kellys' diretories at the local libaries,so also somewhere to try if you are having no other luck.

Carol

[unclejohn]

Carol,
Thanks for the message. Do you happen to know if any of the directories are on-line as, being
down here in Australia, it is difficult for me to get into the Wigan library.
Thanks again
John

[rosie99]

Hi John

This site has some directories, I haven't checked to see if they include Wigan.

http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/



Rosie

[carol8353]

Try an email to the local library,(google it) they will often do a quick look up for free,especially if you tell them where you live!

Sadly those Historical directories only go up the 1910's.

Of course don't forget that women weren't included in electoral rolls till the laet 1920's as they didn't get the vote till then.Also no registers were taken during the war years or 1914-18 or 1939-45.

Carol

[stanmapstone]

Of course don't forget that women weren't included in electoral rolls till the laet 1920's as they didn't get the vote till then.Also no registers were taken during the war years or 1914-18 or 1939-45.

Carol

The 1918 Qualification of Women  Act gave the vote to men at 21 and women at 30, that right being dependent on six months' residence, or occupation of business premises worth £ 10 a year. 1928  Equal Franchise Act gave the vote to all adults at the age of 21
Stan