in Cheshire

Latest news from the FHSC

London Group Reformed

I am pleased to advise details of the relaunch of the London Branch.

Cumbria FHS and Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society have been operating a London Branch over a number of years and normally offer six meetings a year on a Saturday afternoon. This Branch helps to provide some additional benefit for some London based or near London based members. Interest from the members of this Branch has been falling so it was decided to  relaunch the London Branch with some additional support from the North West and also inviting Members of other North West FH Societies to join them. Members of the NWGFHS’s gave a positive response and there is some commitment for financial support. Members of FHSC therefore are invited to attend these meetings, giving the opportunity to share your NW Family history research.

The first meeting under the new management committee will take place on Saturday 7th March 2020 at Saint Stephens Church, Gloucester Road, and Southwell Gardens, London SW7 4RL commencing at 2.00pm.

The speaker will be Ian Waller FSG FGRA and his subject will be "What Happened to Lucy?"

Before 1927 and legal adoption what happened to the unwanted child? Even after 1927 children were exploited, although supposedly cared for by institutions and well caring organisations. This talk looks at the plight of adoptees, foundlings, orphans and the Empire children (Child Migrants), essentially through the 19th & 20th centuries.

This is a new venue, St Stephens is easy to find on the junction of Gloucester Road and Southwell Gardens, South Kensington SW7 4RL There is a collection plate for admission, a free drink to lubricate the frank and friendly exchange of information and tips and hear relevant talks by guest speakers or our group members. There is another meeting planned for Saturday 2 May 2020.

Can anyone planning to attend please email to indicate numbers of those intending to come along.

Details can be found on the LFHHS website http://www.lfhhs.org.uk on the London branch page and it is planned to link to the NWG website www.nwgfhs.org.uk

I have put details on the LFHHS website http://www.lfhhs.org.uk on the London branch page and will be trying to add a late note to our February journal.

 

Records from the historic Macclesfield Cemetery and Crematorium are now available to view on www.deceasedonline.com. Situated in Cheshire East and run by Orbitas, a company owned by Cheshire East Council, Macclesfield Cemetery is a beautiful Victorian cemetery first opened in 1866. The site includes a Grade II listed Neo-Gothic chapel, which is now used as office space. Macclesfield Crematorium was opened in 1960 in the building that was formerly the Non-Conformist Chapel.

Macclesfield Cemetery
Above: Macclesfield Cemetery

Macclesfield Cemetery is arguably most famous for providing the final resting place of Ian Curtis, the lead singer and lyricist of the band Joy Division, after his tragic suicide in 1980. Curtis was born in Stretford, Lancashire, but grew up in Macclesfield. He did well at school, developed a keen interest in music, philosophy, and poetry, and received several scholastic awards. Ian Curtis, along with Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Terry Mason formed a band named Warsaw, after a song by David Bowie. Warsaw was subsequently renamed to Joy Division in 1978, a name derived from the 1955 novel House of Dolls. Joy Division released two albums, Unknown Pleasures and Closer, before the death of Curtis.

Macclesfield Cemetery
Above: Macclesfield Cemetery

George Harold Eardley, a recipient of the prestigious Victoria Cross and the Military Medal, also rests in Macclesfield Cemetery. Acting Sergeant Eardley of the 4th battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in the face of the enemy in the Netherlands in October 1944. His platoon was ordered to clear enemy opposition from some orchards but, 80 yards from their objective, automatic machine gun fire swiftly halted their advance. Eardley dodged heavy fire to get close enough to one machine gun post to kill the enemy officer with a grenade, and then went on to destroy two more posts single-handed. His actions enabled his platoon to complete their objective and ensured the success of their whole attack. In 2004 a statue was erected in his honour in his home town of Congleton.

First World War hero Private Harold Whalley of 21st Manchester Regiment, given the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery carrying messages under heavy shell fire, also rests in Macclesfield Cemetery. Private Whalley died in London aged 23, the result of injuries received in France in 1918.

Macclesfield Cemetery
Above: historic memorials in Macclesfield Cemetery

Macclesfield Cemetery and Crematorium records comprise scans of the original burial and cremation registers, and details of those buried in the same grave in the cemetery. Other Cheshire East cemeteries and crematoria available to view on Deceased Online include:

  • Congleton Cemetery
  • Coppenhall Cemetery
  • Crewe Cemetery
  • Nantwich Cemetery
  • Sandbach Cemetery
  • Weston Cemetery
  • Crewe Crematorium

Cheshire East records coming soon to Deceased Online:

  • Alderley Edge Cemetery
  • Knutsford Cemetery
  • Wilmslow Cemetery

Macclesfield Cemetery
Above: historic memorials in Macclesfield Cemetery

Further information:

Other records local to the region are available on Deceased Online courtesy of: