Jet Stain
for staining all kinds of
leather jet black
sole makers
The Magic Polish Co.Ltd
Leicester Eng.
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Research Requests - Past |
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Mount St Bernard's
Abbey in Leicestershire used to have a large building that I
believe was used as a reformatory for Catholic boys in the 1880's. It
is gone now, but there is a piece of ground near to the old building,
with a large wooden cross. I have heard stories that a large number of
the lads at the time died from disease or fire and are buried there.
Anyone have any reliable info on this please?
I did not come across
this story when I was researching the abbey for my
page on the Reformatory. My own feeling is that the boys did
not stay very long at Mount St Bernard, and although the regime was
harsh and strict, it was quite closely scrutinised by the authorities.
I would be very interested to hear further views and information on
this.
Trevor has lately added that a wooden cross still stands in the
vicinity of the abbey where, it is claimed, there were burials.
Hi,
I have been trying to trace my family history for a while now. I'm not
getting very far. I'm trying to trace my grandfather and
great-grandfather. I know that they were showman in the 1900s. Possibly
in the 1920s to 30s. They travelled in a circuit around Leicester, and
eventually made their home there. My grandfather's name was Archibald
Francis and his father's name was Jack or John Francis. I also know
that my great-grandfather was quite a billiard player and won many
trophies. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
Ann
Ontario, Canada
Hi,
I am trying to trace back the family of Enoch SMALLEY who is thought to
have been born about 1856 in Shepshed, Leicester. His marriage to
Sarah BOWLEY is thought to have taken place about 1870 in Oak's Church,
Charnwood Forest, Leicester. I have tried to find the birth in
Shepshed and although there are many SMALLEYs listed there I cannot
find Enoch, or Sarah BOWLEY, Coalville, Leics.
There IS a
village, not far from Shepshed, which is called Oaks-in-Charnwood, and
it DOES have a parish church. So Eileen's ancestor was not dreaming!
There is some correspondence about the church on Rootsweb here
which might help you.
I am trying to find out if there was a Victorian family, perhaps a farming family. The reason is strange, but we have a little girl that pays us a visit of the spiritual side, and we have had someone communicate with her; and she keeps telling me through a friend to beware of the garden as she doesn't want the children to suffer like she did.
However,
there is something else, apparently, in the garden, that stops
the little girl passing over to the other side and this other presence
is not a nice spirit. This may be very strange and you probably think
that it's silly, but I need to be able to just find out
what was here, and was there a little girl that tragically fell
to her death?
Many thanks
Teresa
Marsland
For the record I take this enquiry seriously, and
I have asked Teresa to seek further support and assistance from those
who can help her responsibly. From the historical perspective, I
hope that we can help her in her search for previous occupants of
Cropston Drive, Coalville.
Hello,
Could
you please help me on this ? My great uncle was in the World War One.
Came back suffering from shell shock. And was sent to A hospital called
( the Home of Recovery ) Barrow upon Soar, Rothley, Leicester.
He lived in Lambeth, London, but was sent to Leicester. He
committed suicide from shell shock at the hospital. Would just like to
know more about the hospital or any pictures, etc. His
name was Fredrick Charles Byott, and he died Feb 1919. I live in
Australia now from England. Wondered if any of your historians or
readers could please help me.
Thank you
It would be truly wonderful if anyone could help Sandra and respond to her poignant request. - Stephen.
Hi,
I just found a paper written by my Grandfather about my GG Grandfather. It claims Edwin Goodwin (who through other sources his father is Joseph) was from Wexton, Leicester. I can not find any information on Wexton. In 1857 he was married in The Church of St George and lived on Samuel St.
Aylestone Boathouse - History Please.
We spent a day recently visiting Leicester to work out some Biggs family history. First stop: statue of John Biggs in Welford place. Then on to Aylestone where my grandfather Thomas Gordon Biggs resided. His father John Thomas Biggs lived in the Woodlands, apparently, off Wigston Lane - John Biggs, of statue fame was his uncle I think…
Prior to the Second World War Thomas Gordon Biggs was the proprietor of the Aylestone Boathouse. I'd like to know when this opened, what it offered its clientele (ballroom tennis courts, golf and boating). After the war Thomas Gordon Biggs improved a triangular piece of land opposite the boathouse site, between the canal and the Great Central Railway, for kennels and livestock. The kennels are still there today. I remember visiting this site as a small boy in the early 1960s. He lived at 67 Belvoir Drive until 1945 when he moved to 'The Castle' at 1 Plantation Avenue - remaining there until my grandmother's death in 1960.
Any anecdotes - or direction to sources - that would help fill in the period of family history regarding the Aylestone Boathouse etc. would be welcome.
Also any information on John Thomas Biggs, who I understand was an alderman and his uncle John Biggs (MP) before him would be welcome background information.
Regards,
Paul
M Hart
81 Rushden Road
01933 - 313623
Wymington
Mob: 07903 520364
RUSHDEN
Northants. NN10 9LQ
I have two large black and
white prints (numbered) by Elmer Keene. The titles are `A Cloudy
Morning' and `Back to the Fold'. I believe they are quite old and was
wondering if they have any value?
Please see Cindy's request below, and the announcement at the top of this page!
I am trying to find the family of Sarah Ann Lord, born Leicester 1838. She married Francis Brown, St George's Leicester on Sept 22 1859. On her marriage certificate her father is Abraham Lord a Needle Maker. Any information on the Lords please?
Many thanks,
Henry
WEST married Esther CROOKES at St Margaret's Leicester on 4 Dec. 1836.
Esther may have had a male relative called Paul CROOKES, possibly a
brother or cousin, also with connections of some sort to St Margaret's.
Samuel WEST married Sarah ELLIOT on 31 Mar 1799 at St Margaret's
Church, Leicester, but, unlike Henry & Esther, we have no idea if
this couple is related to us.
Henry & Esther West lived for many years in Crab Street, St
Margaret's, Leicester, where Henry West worked first as a 'smith' and
later as an 'engineer' in 'the foundry' which was presumably somewhere
fairly near the Crab St. area. In 1851 they were living at No. 54 Crab
Street. By this time they also had a small grocer's shop to supplement
the foundry work, and his wife probably kept this, as she was a 'waiter
in shop'.
They had at least three children:
George WEST born 24 Jan 1841 in Crab St., who later trained as a
teacher in London.
John H WEST born c. 1843 most likely in Crab St.
Alfred WEST born c. 1844 most likely in Crab St.
Does anyone recognise any of these people as members of their tree? Also,
has anyone any ideas of where the foundry could have been? I have
assumed that it would have had to be within easy travelling distance of
St Margaret's.
In hope,
Yours,
Sara Mazzoni.
Hi
If anyone knows anything regards to dates of manufacture when the
company ceased trading etc we would be very interested to find out.
With Regards
Paula
We have found the Magic Polish Company Ltd listed
in Kelly's Directories of Leicester until 1963, based in Western Road
off Braunstone Gate in the city. This is a small factory
industrial location by the side of the River Soar and the canal.
Any further information, particularly from former employees, would be
most welcome.
Hi
Stephen,
Does any of your readers know of any members of the Peach family from
Melton Mowbray?
My Grandad, and Great Grandad originated from there. Great
Grandad was born 1841, and my Grandad was born 1865. By the way,
It's a brilliant site, this is.
John
Peach Hornby
John.
Thank you for your praise. I assume you meant our previous website
(Leicester Research). I hope you find this new website also deserving
of your approval!
I am researching my paternal grandparents' line. Before marriage my grandmother was a Catherine Cridland (all my aunts and uncles said she was of French extraction) born in 1860 at 6 Crop (could be Cross) Keys Yard, Leicester (down as West Leicester). Her father was Joseph Cridland and her mother Eliza (nee Newman).
She
appears in the 1881 census as working and lodging in Nottingham, and in
the 1901 census as wife of William Day, of Bright Street, Nottingham.
Can anyone help?
Louise
Hello Stephen,
Realise you must be busy on the new website, but was wondering if you could help with a query when you have time.
I am doing some research on a Mark Noble formerly of Danet's Hall Leicester, born 1834, son of Dr. Joseph Noble. Mark travelled to, and lived in, NZ from 1861-1865.
A long shot, but do you have any information or mention of Mark Noble (he may have been listed as 'Ward' Noble in the 1841 census) in any records at all? Or any images of Dr. Joseph Noble (elected mayor in 1858) or his family?
Thanks for any help,
Regards,
George Spearing,
Oamaru, New Zealand.
I know he must be related. Please, any help (there was also a Valentine Brown).
Many many thanks,
Lynn.
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