Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society

16/11/2025

15/11/2025

“Two ounces of cola cubes, please.”
Back when sweets were weighed by hand, jars lined the wall like treasure chests, and the man behind the counter knew every child by name. You didn’t need much — a few copper coins and a bit of courage to ask for your favourites.
Standing on tiptoes, trying to see over the counter…
Clutching your little paper bag like it held gold…
And walking home slower than ever, making it last.
A whole childhood in one photo.
What was your favorite?

14/11/2025

“Back when jumping on and off the back of a moving bus was part of everyday life — and sometimes, part of the drama too! No automatic doors or gentle stops… just a friendly conductor, a swinging pole, and a bit of luck. If you grew up in this era, chances are you had a near miss or two like this. Hold tight — literally!”

14/11/2025

At the start of WWII the UK government underestimated how important canals were as a means of transport. After unsuccessful attempts to recruit men to run the barges, it was not until the early 1940s when Daphne March, an Oxford graduate, advertised in The Times newspaper for crew to help operate her family’s working boat Heather Bell, that the government realised women could do the job.
Around 100 women started training in 1942 with 45 completing the course, alas only 6 women stayed the full duration of the scheme with the work being physically hard, numerous locks and tunnels to navigate, long hours, bitterly cold in winter, scorching in summer, and living in a tiny cramped space.
The postwar UK canal restoration for leisure purpose gained momentum in the mid-20th century, spurred by Tom Rolt's activism and the formation of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) in the 1940s. Even today work continues to reopen former closed canals, examples close to me are the Ashby canal where the northern end of the 22 miles navigation plans are in place to rebuild the Gil Whiz Hall aqueduct as a crucial next step. A little further away work is well advanced on restoration of the Litchfield canal with the installation of a new lift bridge at Gallows Wharf happening either October or November 2025

13/11/2025

Do you have an English or Welsh will that you have thought about ordering? It's time to place that order! Act before 17 November, when the price of ordering English and Welsh wills, from 1858 onward, increases from £1.50 to £16. £1.50 is a real bargain for what can be a multi-page document. Now is the time. Go to https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate using the link below.
Search probate records for documents and wills (England and Wales)

13/11/2025

If you are one of the many people taking the opportunity to research your military ancestors this week - don't forget to check out the Society's fantastic war memorial inscriptions database on our website

Family History in Greater Manchester

13/11/2025

Just in case you ever wondered what the alcohol requirements were for a 1909 Irish wake: 3 gallons whiskey, 2 cases stout, 3 bottles wine, 3 bottles brandy! The receipt was sent to the U.S. government from Liscahane, Millstreet, Co. Cork for reimbursement as it related to the death of a pensioned Civil War sailor...

13/11/2025

Mine was cough candy

12/11/2025

If you plan to share your family tree with anyone, or if it's online and public, it's your responsibility to provide reliable proof for all the facts.

12/11/2025

A knocker upper. Whether it’s a tapper, or a pea shooter. People once upon a time were woken up by the tapping on their bedroom window. Makes me wonder, who woke these people up?!?!