Etchells of Lane Head, Droylsden

[Woody]

Look at any modern Droylsden street map for Greenside Lane/ Scott Road at the point of joining Chappell Road. Further along, Sunnyside Road also connects with Chappell Road. Lane Head was the area directly below Chappell Road and it centred pretty much on the playing field behind St Stephen R.C. School. If you get stuck, use Google Maps and enter the postcode M43.

I did find a set of free digital maps for Droylsden (1786 and 1819) at www.homepage.ntlworld.com/william.mcdonald7/genealogy.htm. Lane Head is clearly marked in 1786.

There's also a substantial free digital reference book that you might want to download by Googling 'Notices of Droylsden Past & Present' by John Higson published 1859. Several people called Etchells get a mention, as does Ashton Hills Lane. The pages are searchable and you might pick up some extra clues.

[Woody]

Hi Wardy. If I had half a brain I wouldn't have included a reference book that you already said you had. Apologies.

Last year, I did find a website very similar to the Cheshire Tithe maps reference that Gerrard mentioned earlier, but for Lancashire. Only having half a brain and having hit it accidentally, I can't remember how I got there and didn't record my trail. You've reminded me to have another look.