Down memory lane?

I took a subscription to 'Find my past' a few weeks ago and it has been well worth it. Part of the fun has been learning how to search and what to search for.
There are no surviving relatives for me to ask, as far as I know, so I've been relying on memories,
The 1911 census is a treasure trove with far more information than it would seem at first sight.


Yesterday, I decided to look back thro' OH's family and what a contrast to mine!
His revolve around the local area, and the only difficulty is that over the years the boundaries between Lancashire and Cheshire have been rather fluid. Also, take a place like Appleton and typical of good Olde England you find several places of that name in a small area.


It took a bit of what might be called loosely detective work to locate the particular Appleton. Over time the registration areas changed and I was surprised to find Widnes under Prescott. Then I found an Appleton in Widnes as opposed to the various other Appletons near Warrington.
This is when a land search can pay volumes.


Then there are Directories: Kelly's and Pigot's and Gores being the most famous. A word of warning, this research can be most time-consuming especially if you like reading for the sake of reading.


By contrast, my family led quite different lives. OH's included a  master baker, a warehouse-man at the Wire Works, Wire drawer, Foundry labourer, fustian cutter and iron worker. Warrington was world famous for its Wire Works and the rugby team began as the Wires.


In my family I found folk working in calico mills, dye works, print works, cotton mills:
throstle spinner
cotton spinner
cotton weaver
cloth bleaching
sewing machinist


Go further back in time and there are carters and farmers. Then, later on someone became an Alderman and Mayor. Both men and women worked for a living.
At the beginning of the 20th century they went hither and yon; some into Yorkshire, some to Lancashire and Cheshire, whilst others remained in Derbyshire.


It's also been fascinating to trace the homes folk lived in and to see who were their neighbours.
The search continues...