Mossley 1890s Borough Surveyor

[hollyberry]

My great great grandfather James Haynes was borough surveyor in Mossley in the 1890s. Would he have had sufficient status to have his photo taken by the then borough of Mossley? He died in March 1904 aged 80. Would he possibly have had a photo and obituary in the newspaper? Reporter? I don't live in Tameside and I would like to explore the possibilities of accessing information before I plan a visit.

[Woody]

Hi Hollyberry

Apologies. I had a quick look for James Haynes whilst I was in the library a couple of weeks ago but forgot to tell you. Must have been the anticipation of imminent Easter eggs affecting my brain.

I couldn't find anything at all about him in the local Reporter, but couldn't pin down the date of his death more precisely than the whole March Qtr. I was mainly looking for something else at the time so didn't either search thoroughly, or search past the March editions. I might just have missed it, or if he died at the end of March there could have been something in April but, for what it's worth, there were no photographs of anybody in that era, let alone James Haynes.

I did take a brief prior excursion through his census history to familiarise myself with the edges in case there was something to catch my eye during my quick newspaper scan. A bit complicated isn't it ?

I'll be visiting the library again shortly so, if you want me to have another look, I'll try and oblige if you can be more specific about the date of death.

Woody

[hollyberry]

Hi

Thanks Woody. He died March 1904 aged 80.

He was a farm labourer on the 1841 census in Brill, Buckinghamshire. Its amazing that he ended up in Mossley as the Borough Surveyor.

Nice to have someone interested. I'm in Cumbria these days and its a long way to Ashton.

Hollyberry

[Woody]

Hi Hollyberry

I was in the library today and had another more careful, but I'm afraid equally unsuccessful, search for any information about James Haynes' death. I must say, however, that the place was very busy and the only machine available was candle-powered and the focus control was faulty. I might try again on a better machine and at a quieter time.

If you haven't already found it, the Tameside Burials search facility turns up many of your Haynes ancestors, and provides both dates of interrment and precise grave references in the cemetery at Mossley. www.public.tameside.gov.uk/candc/regenq.asp. Clicking on the right hand column lists others who (I presume) were also buried in that grave/plot. Could prove useful for making or confirming wider family connections. All James' wives and some of his grandchildren are listed, for example.

I kept track of my census research so if you want the outcomes, let me know.

Woody

[hollyberry]

:)Hi

Thanks Woody.

I clicked on the link but it seems it was either wrong or not working. I will try again.

I have found a letter from my father saying James was buried at Mossley and surrounded by his five wives! I have confirmed he had five wives using the census returns. It would be interesting to find out if there were any other of his family buried in the plot.

Ive been away hence the delay in replying.

Hollyberry

[Gay J Oliver]

Wow! five wives!

Try this link.

www.tameside.gov.uk/corpgen2/cemandcrem.htm

Good Luck!

GAY

[Woody]

Hi Hollyberry

Sorry about that but I see Gay has sorted it out for you.

When you get into the site, don't forget to click on the right-hand 'Location' column. You might also need to enter all the wives individually for the most complete results. I only got to three wives - Lydia Ashley, Selina Woodhead and Sarah (either Dakin or Thompson) - before giving up !

Woody

[hollyberry]

Thanks Gay and Woody.

I found members of his family in the plot but no wives.

Also I have only found four wives . Lydia, Selina, a Sarah which I must check again and Ann Snape 1896. He had to keep his bed warm!

[hollyberry]

Hi

Woody you were very helpful in looking up newspapers and I am very grateful. Any chance you could find the following please?

Borough of Mossley : Jubilee Souvenir 1885-1935 No author.

I found this listed by chance on abebooks.co.uk. It cost £45 plus postage and as thats half my pension I felt it was a little steep.

It might have some mention of James Haynes. If the archives in Tameside dont have it perhaps they could be directed to the website and encouraged to buy it. (I'm sure they know it anyway).

Ta

[Woody]

Hi hollyberry

At £45 it would be cheaper to come to Tameside and look for yourself!

I’ll be going to the library again at some point over the next few weeks so I’ll certainly ask the staff.

In the meantime, it might be faster for you to make an 'on-line enquiry' yourself. Although I do appreciate there might be a search charge involved, I can't see them making one just for telling you whether or not they have a booklet on the shelves.

If you do decide to contact them, on the main home page of this site (not the Forum page), you find a menu for ‘Useful Addresses’.

Get into that and at the bottom of the ‘Tameside Local Studies and Archives Library’ listing, you'll find a facility providing two options for making ‘on-line’ enquiries. I’m reliably informed that the staff are very helpful and always respond.

Don't fork out any cash unnecessarily because I'll let you know later how I fared myself.

Woody

[hollyberry]

Hi Woody

The Jubilee Souvenir of the Borough of Mossley is in the library.

It would be great if there were some reference to James.

Hollyberry

[Woody]

Hi hollyberry

Managed to get into the library today so checked thoroughly checked the contents of the booklet you posted. I'm afraid there's bad news and good news.

The bad news is that although there's a photo of the Brorough Engineer, it's the bloke who occupied the job in 1935, and not your James Haynes. The only mention of James is his listing as 'Borough Engineer and Inspector of Nuisances' in 1885.

The good news is that you haven't invested £45 only to find there was nothing worthwhile at the end of it. Looks like another trip to the drawing board is imminent !

Condolences

Woody

[hollyberry]

:)Hi Woody

I am delighted! Inspector of Nuisances is wonderful!

Thanks for all your trouble. Must buy you a drink if I ever get to Ashton.

Hollyberry