YAYYYYY

Some very kind person has transcribed some church records for Golborne - and includes some of our Steele's.
Am busy working my way through it - but may be some time before I post, if you cannot wait here is the link - http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Golborne/index.html

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the kind person who posted these.

****the earlier John Ephraim Steele looks like he was Josephs brother?

St. James Manchester.

The registers of St James Manchester 1788-1837 (taken from a book of transcriptions number 134) tell a sad story for some Steels. At the moment there is no known connection to our Steel(e)s but given here for interest and perhaps as an illustration of those times in Manchester. I have grouped the information in family groups.

Burial Feb 12 1832 Pheoebe Steel, Openshaw 17 yrs
Burial Aug 20 1835 Charlotte Steel, Openshaw age 17

Died Nov 20 Burial Nov 24 1793 James s. George + Sarah Steel [Shude Hill] 10 ms smpox.
Died Feb 2 Burial Feb 6 1791 Joseph s. George + Sarah Steel [Shude Hill] 3 yrs 6ms.
Died Aug 31 Burial Sep 2 1795 Sarah d. George + Sarah Steel [Shude Hill] 11m decline.
Died Sep 18 Burial Sep 19 1798 Frances d. George + Sarah Steel [Shude Hill] 14 days fitts.
Died Jun 20 Burial Jun 22 1802 George s. George + Sarah Steel 18 ms Sc.Fever.
Burial Nov 3 1824 Sarah w. George Steel, Shude Hill 61 years.

Died Jun 17 Burial Jul 15 17978 Jeremiah s. Jeremiah + Sarah Steel [butcher, M].
Died Oct 23 Burial Oct 25 1798 Jeremiah s. Jeremiah + Sarah Steel [Dean St] 18 wks Fits.
Died Feb 26 Burial Mar 19 1800 James s. Jeremiah + Sarah Steel [Butcher, Ancoats Lane]
Died Apr 25 Burial Apr 27 1804 Mary d. Jeremiah + Sarah Steel 2yrs smallpox.
Burial May 1 1825 Martha d. Jeremiah + Sarah Steel [Openshaw] 8 mns.

Died Jul 7 Burial Jul 24 1797 Mary d. Matthew + Sarah Steel [Chapel St. Salford]
Apr 10 1806 John s. Matthew + Sarah Steel
Jan 1 1815 Thomas s. Matthew + Sarah Steel [Ridge Field] Tailor
Died Aug1 Burial Aug 8 1816 John s. Matthew + Sarah Steel [Ridge Field] Tailor

Died May 13 Burial May 16 1810 Ann d. George + Mary Stell (Still) 12 ms [11ms 14 days] T.Fever

Burial Apr 26 1818 Mary Ann Stell [Oldfield Lane] 6 and onehalf.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(I have not found out yet whereabouts in Manchester St. James was.)

Coal mining.

I am reading a lovely book at the moment - biography "The broken biscuit" by John Cowell. Here follows a description of beginning a career down the pit.

"Soon it was Jimmy's fourteenth birthday. The day had arrived for him to leave school and start work. He had already applied for work and been accepted at the local coalmine on Burnley Road - The Old Meadow's Pit. He was only a slight lad, but on his first morning he walked to work with his shoulders back, his chest stuck out and his head held high with a beaming smile on his face. He was wearing a flat cap, which his mother had bought him, and carrying a tin water bottle on his belt and a bait tin under his arm that contained jam butties. Jam and bread was the main diet eaten underground at bait time, as the miners found that they tasted better than anything else in the dusty conditions. There was not a happier lad than Jimmy in the whole of the Rossendale Valley as he proudly walked alongside his fellow pit workers, the sound of his clogs going clip clop, clip clop! He was highly delighted, as now he too was one of the breadwinners earning some money, which would help his mum pay the bills. His first job was as a tackle lad, which involved carrying props, girders, blocks and other materials to the colliers working on the coal-face: because of his cheerful disposition he was very well liked by all his fellow miners. At the end of the week he used to receive some pey brass, just a few coppers from the colliers, which helped boost his meagre pay.
By the time he was sixteen he had grown stronger and was promoted to a drawer, a more strenuous job which involved pushing tubs of coal from the coal-face to the pit bottom; it was a much harder job but he didn't mind because the money was better. When the tubs were full they weighed between three and four hundredweight. They had to be shoved over a long distance on a small railway type track through tunnels that were about five feet high. Water seeped in throughout the tunnel from the layers above and the lighting was poor; in spite of this, many tubs had to be drawn in the course of a shift. The method used was to bend down behind the tub, dig in the feet against a wooden sleeper and place the head against the back of the tub. To start the tub rolling, it was necessary to grasp the steel tracks, dig the feet well in against the sleeper, and then start showing with all of one's strength, using the head, neck, shoulder, back, arm and leg muscles. The drawers would roll up a piece of cloth, a jersey or something similar, and place it within their flat caps to protect their heads; the rolled-up piece of cloth was known to the colliers as a pusher.
It was very hard work and at the end of the shift Jimmy would be extremely tired; to make matters worse, there were no pit top showers, which meant he had to walk home in all his muck. "

Ann's Christopher.

We have another Christopher knocking about Manchester/Salford. Ann has part of his tree up on the Ancestry website. Thank you for putting the information in the public domain, I for one find it fascinating looking at peoples trees and it inspires me to continue.

Christopher was born in Yorkshire in 1813 so he is slightly younger than our Christopher who was born in 1811. I do not have my original research to hand, the earliest census I have his family on is 1861.

1861 Manchester, London Road
7 Ecroyd? St.

Alice Steele widow 46 housekeeper born Blackburn
Matthias Steele 23 Railway clerk born Manchester
Jane Steele 21 winder weaver C born Manchester
Alice Steele 19 Braid tenter born Manchester
Christopher 17 Railway clerk born Manchester
James 14 Newspaper errand boy born Salford
Richard 11 Newspaper errand boy born Manchester
Esther 8 born Manchester

.....................................................................................
Ann tells me that Christopher was a policeman in Warrington then Manchester.

Our Christopher got married 1 December 1833, the details can be seen on the wonderful Lancashire parish online site.
http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/index.html
Blackburn St. Marys.

A few weeks ago there was a link on the equally wonderful site
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php
to a free trial of old newspapers, unfortunately I can't remember whereabouts it was posted but I got fed up with it because the newspapers took a while to load as I am on dialup. I do like looking at old newspapers but find viewing things on the computer makes my 'old' eyes tired.

I did find three references to Christopher Steele, they belong to Ann's Christopher.

1) The Manchester Times and Gazette
Saturday May 7 1836

On the 1st instant, at St John's Church Mr Christopher Steele to Miss Alice Wilson, only daughter of Mr Richard Wilson, formerly of Blackburn.

I just could not resist - I went to search for this marriage today the details are below :
Manchester Library film number 1123
St John's Manchester
Page 5
entry number 14
one word very difficult to read
Christopher Steele of this Parish and (????) of Manchester warehouseman and Alice Wilson of same Parish and Town spinster were married in this church by banns with the consent of {blank} this first day of May in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty six by me Thos. Hutchinson Curate both signed their names and the witnesses signed : Edward Steele and Mary Steele.

2) March 13 1841
List of names calling for the abolition of Corn Laws included Christopher Steele.

This was a fascinating part of the history of Manchester - linked to the Free Trade Hall when I have time (ha ha) I would like to read up more about it.

3) June 29 1844

Burglary - On Monday Richard Hamblett and Thomas Woods were brought up charged with having broken into the house of Mr. Thomas Sincock and stolen there - from two watches, on Monday night the 17th instant - Ellen Unsworth said that on the night in question she was going down Buttermarket Street, about half past twelve o'clock, and saw the two prisoners against Mr. Sincock's shop window. Woods stood close to the window, with the cross-bar belonging to it in his hand, Hamblett standing by, apparently keeping watch. After a while they ran down the street in the direction she was going - Mr Sincock said he was called up by the watchman on the night above mentioned who told him the bar was off the window shutter; he came down, and on examining the window, found the shutter had been forced open, a pane of glass taken out, and two watches stolen. - Another witness deposed to having seen two persons like the prisoners standing under Mr Sincocks window about the same time as the first witness saw them.
Christopher Steele, one of the police officers, said that on Saturday morning early he was informed by the watchman that the parties suspected of the robbery were in the WheatSheaf public house, he and Mills another officer, went there, but the landlord refused to admit them; subsequently he admitted them they tried to open the cellar door but found it fast and the landlord refused to open it, they then broke it open and found the prisoners, with several other bad characters, concealed therein, they took the prisoners into custody, and charged them with the robbery, but they denied having had anything to do with it. They were fully committed to take their trial at the ensuing assizes at Liverpool.

I wonder what happened to Thomas and Richard.

Jenny.

Thank you Jenny for letting me view your tree.

I went back to Manchester Library today and found the relevant film ; here are the details

Film number 1296 at Manchester Library.
Charlestown St. George
page 238 entry number 475
October 5 1884
George Kennedy 23 Bachelor Labourer 4 (Erys?) St. Samuel Kennedy ship (builder?)
Mary Ann Steel 20 spinster 27 (Erys?)St. James Steel striker.

Back to the Steeles

Sparked by a contact on genes reunited I've been bitten by the Steeles in Manchester/Salford again. As I tend to be ad hoc and mislay things am determined to put on here the little bits I have gleaned before I loose them. Also showing me again how easy it is to forget ones train of thoughts. The problem being how to put the information on here in a meaningful way. I am down to trying to eliminate Steel(e)s as well as trying to establish links. Also through looking at other Steel(e)s we can get an idea of how people were travelling around. (And I am just nosy - I find all families fascinating......and I am slowly learning bits and pieces about the city I live in).

I think I will post all the information from now that has no proven link to our Christopher in blue, and it is given here as a point of interest.

Information from Merv.

(I'd almost forgotten how to get to this blog.)

Merv has sent me some interesting information :

"Just a small bit of information I can remember as a child. John Steele (my grandfather) would visit St Leonards on-sea every year. My Nana died when I was 7 years old, and Grandad died when I was 12 years old. I used to post his letters for him on his stay, and he would give me a shilling everytime. I remember he once took me to the Hastings Old town and bought me a fish and chip dinner.
Ronald (my father) was Head Boy at Stockton Grammar school in 1937. I remember seeing a photo of dad when he was 12years old, Clifford was 7, and M**** 4 years old. I'm sure my mother has that photo in her collection. Clifford must of died later that year of phneoumonia aged 7 years. Auntie M***** named her first son Clifford after her brother.

Ronald attended Durham University and qualified as a Dental Surgeon. He played football in the Army Dental Corps (I remember framed photos). Mum tells me that he could of been a professional footballer had he not qualified as a dentist. How the years have changed.

Your son ******* may be interested in this bit of info. Joseph my fathers grandfather, had a wonderful relationship with my dad. They could sit in a room with each other for hours, and not say one word to each other. They had a great relationship with one an other. They just adored each others company.I know this as Dad had a similar relationship with his first grandchild ****** (****** my sisters son), and told me of this."
********************************************************************

Thank you Merv.

census information for James Steele

Thanks to J from Australia for this information :

Here is your James STEEL Grandson who was on the 1871 census

1881 census..Dwelling.. Park Lane (Hindleys new houses) census Place Abram Lancashire England....Family History Library Film.1341902...Public Records Office Reference...RG11... Piece /Folio 3771-24 Page 6
James STEEL Head M. age 24 Birthplace Lawton Lancashire... Contractor in Coal Mine Elizabeth STEEL wife M. age 24 born Golborne Lancashire
Joseph STEEL son age 4 born Golborne
Samuel STEEL son age 3 born Leigh Lancashire
James THOMPSON Lodger U age 22 born Wigan Lancashire.. Coal Miner.
Henry ASPINALL lodger U age 32 born Westhoughton Lancashire .. Coal miner

Marriage of James and Lucy.

September 26th 1908

James Steele 22 Bachelor Collier 190 Plank Lane James Steele(deceased) Collier

Lucy Green 24 Spinster 20 Byrom Lane S.Mary's Lowton Lewis Green ????????

Witnesses:

Thomas Steele

Alice Green

Marriage certificate for Joseph Steele.

I had a lovely time at Manchester library. They have the original register in the archive for Westleigh St. Peter. As it has not been filmed yet you get to handle the original !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just imagine I was holding the very book where Joseph and Isabella signed in 1897.

In case this comes out unclear on the blog it reads :

Jan 1 1897

Joseph Steele 20 Bachelor Collier 61 Firs Lane James Steele Collier

Isabella Dumble 20 Spinster 4 Barker (?) Street William Dumble Collier

Witnesses

Thomas Dumble

Isabella Burrows

hello again

Well, I have finally plucked up courage and opened a google account so that I can access this blog. Dear daughter was suppose to help me whilst on her Easter break from Uni but never found the time.

Just a quick update. I have not progressed any further with the Steele family tree. I have made a list of all the Steel(e) entries on the IGI for Manchester Parish Church and hope to go to the library soon (......no promises) to have a look at the original entries to see if there are anymore clues. I am reading about the history of Manchester at the moment. This month I have joined the Manchester Family History Society. I have some pictures of registers to post on here when I figure out how to load photos onto this computer.

However interesting developments on the other side of my family tree may well distract me from the Steeles and dear son is coming up to his GCSEs.

BIG BIG appology to Australia.

I do not like this new computer. I lost all passwords, favourite websites, saved information everything on the old computer. Everytime I come on I expect the same thing to happen again.

Take care.
E.

apology

I am sorry that I have not been posting lately but I had malware on my computer which completely ruined it and I now have a new computer but I am still trying to get use to it. I am being probably too overcautious. I have forgotten all my passwords!!! I have lost all my favourite websites. I have lost all the background info I had gathered on family history. I have lost everything on the old computer. But I dont know what I am doing !!!!!!!