Compiled
Email
22 August 1997 - Current
From: Eddie
Wattenbach EWattenbac@aol.com
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 18:21:48 -0400 (EDT)
To: VTAndrew@erols.com
Subject: Surname: Openshaw
Hello, my name is Eddie Wattenbach. One of my Wilson forebears (my mother is a Wilson) married a Lancashire (Manchester) Openshaw. I have a very significant amount of information on the Openshaw Pedigree. What is your interest in this name? I look forward to hearing from you. Bye
From: Robert Rood rood@intellink.net
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 1997 12:00:51 -0700
To: VTAndrew@erols.com
Subject: Openshaw & Blanchard genealogy
I'm looking for information on Mrs. Openshaw, dau. of Johathan Crabtree and Mary Hudson. They had three dau., one born in England and two in New York: Ann, Martha, and Susanna. Their birth dates range from 1840 to 1850. On Blanchard, I have: Matilda Blanchard, b. 5 Nov. 1798, prob. Concord, NH, d. 8 Feb. 1853, Dakota, WI. Hope this helps.
From: Paul Openshaw paul@hanley-castle.demon.co.uk
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 19:23:13 +0000
To: vtandrew@erols.com
Subject: Openshaw family
Hello Ross, I came across your pages and have been meaning to make contact. I have a lot of dates and names going back to 1300 or so. As yet I have little more than a disorganised collection, waiting for me to put some time in on the subject. We are newly on the net here in Hanley Castle and we are still finding our way around. I have put a small embryonic page up for my wife's business (Hanley Interiors). I'm not sure how active your pages are in terms of your time input, so if this is a real pain then I will be the first to understand! If any of the stuff that I might have would be of any interest, I will just have to find the time to get it to you. I was born 1948 and work in education in Worcester. My family originated of course in Openshaw and then Ainsworth, Lancashire. I have some photographs, records and census results and details of emigrations to the states (Arizona), Rhodesia, South Africa and Australia. Look forward to hearing from you. Regards -- Paul Openshaw
From: Robert Rood rood@intellink.net
Date: Sun, 09 Nov 1997 21:36:46 -0800
To: VTAndrew@erols.com
Subject: genealogy
I have: Matilda Blanchard m. George Thorngate, 18 Jan. 1822, Brownsville, NY. Very little more on Matilda but a lot more on their descendants. Also: Susannah Crabtree, b. 26 Feb. 1840, prob. Love Clough, Lancashire, m. Edward Openshaw. Susannah came to Staten Island, NY, in 1846. I have a little more on Openshaw and a lot more on Crabtree. Let me know if anything seems to tie.
From: Dennis Lack dnllack@c-zone.net
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 10:53:06 -0800
To: vtandrew@erols.com
Subject: Openshaw
I have a copy of a obituarie for James Alfred Openshaw from the Bury Times England, 1893. Very extensive family information back to 1360 Opynscha. These Obits were sent to family members by my Grandfather William A. Openshaw of Pasadena Ca. If you would like a copy let me know.
From: Paul Openshaw 101365.3647@compuserve.com
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 14:53:27 -0400
Subject: openshaw
To: vtandrew@erols.com
hi, I have noticed you have a section on the Openshaws, I am tracing my family tree and I am the great grandaughter of Oliver Openshaw who was born in1860 in Bury Lancershire if you could help me at all I would be very greatful. Thanks Jessica Openshaw
From: Kay Lack Lack11235@aol.com
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 16:26:50 EDT
To: VTAndrew@erols.com
Subject: OPENSHAW
GREETINGS I have openshaw info back to 1300 Also Ormerod back to 1300 - they cross Openshaw abt 1725, if you need? Our branch came to America abt 1857 At this point I'm trying to fill gaps and clear up some inconstancies Will share info Kay Lack
From: "Nigel Openshaw"
Nigel@openshaw0.demon.co.uk
To: "Ross D. Andrews"
Subject: re. The Openshaw Family
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 17:37:25 +0100
Hi Ross - Greetings from UK. Last week I was "surfing the Web", as they say, (not something I do all that much to be honest, and certainly not something at which I am too skilful) when I lighted upon your "Openshaw index". Not too sure how I got there, but arrive there I did. You are not in Texas by any chance are you ? I think I was attempting to get some info. about the Rio Grande Valley at the time - so goodness knows how I found you when attempting to do that !!
Nevertheless, it could be a lucky chance - and I would invite you to correspond and compare notes to see if fate has thrown up a happy coincidence, albeit only due to my ineptitude and ignorance !!!! 8-)) I am a Yorkshireman myself, being born in Huddersfield - as were my father, and his father before him. However, before that, all my forebears were Lancastrian. In Victorian times the family were in the Manchester area - but prior to 1842 they had always been in the Bolton / Bury locality.
The earliest known ancestor whom I have positively traced is one Richard "Dicon" Opynscha, who is recorded as having been "Heir of the Schae" (most probably a place now called Moss Shaw Fold, north of Radcliffe and about half way between Bury and Bolton) who was born around 1410. The family appear to have stayed around the Radcliffe / Ainsworth area for about 200 years or so, until the beginning of the C17th. when some seem to have drifted towards Bury and others (my lot) went towards Bolton.
From my researches to date, I feel I have good cause to say, with a reasonable degree of certainty, that all the Openshaws in the world today stem from the loins of Richard "Dicon" Opynscha. As a family they were none too adventurous, and for years they remained largely concentrated in the same area around Bury/Bolton. Indeed, that is a situation which still obtains to a reasonable degree upto the present time. Even those now in America, I suspect stem from a fairly restricted number of emigres.
How far have you got with your researches ? Is it all in America, or have you made the link back to the UK ? So far, I have not made any American link. However, there is one particular potential candidate called George Openshaw, who was born in Bolton in 1834. I have tracked his four brothers and sisters, but I have found nothing further about George beyond his Baptismal entry !! There is no justification for assuming that he actually did go to America - but it could be said that he was of the right sort of age to have been in the exodus which occurred in the 1850.s / 1860.s
I have built up a considerable database on matters Openshaw - not just those directly to do with me. Therefore, if you have a link back to UK, I shall be more than happy to endeavour to assist and see what we might achieve, to our mutual benefit. Who knows - you might even eventually qualify for entry to that august body of the Openshaw "cousins" (or have you just married into the family ??) So far I have found three other people who qualify membership of the "cousins club" - but in order to qualify it has been necessary, in each case, to go back over three hundred years to find the actual link. One Samuel Openshaw (b. 26 July 1657) had three sons - James, Thomas, and William. Three of the known "cousins" are related through three seperate lines of each of the three brothers. The fourth "cousin" has gone one better - he is related to two of the three brothers. [ His Mum had some Openshaw ancestry, as well as his Dad - so he is related to himself twice !!! - but that is a wholly different story. ] I am currently working with yet another potential candidate for "cousin", this one is out in New Zealand. What did we do before we had E-mail ????? Look forward to hearing further from you in due course. Nigel near Chester UK
From: "Nigel Openshaw"
Nigel@openshaw0.demon.co.uk
To: "Ross D. Andrews"
Subject: Openshaw Genealogy Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 12:43:39
Hi Ross
My records of Openshaws are mainly fixed on the Bolton and Bury areas - but then that is not surprising 'cos that has always been the centre of the Openshaw Dynasty's World. I have no evidence of any family "outpost" at Ashton-u-Lyne in the early to middle C19th. "My lot" did pass that way around 1880 when they went to Saddleworth for a short stay of two or three years - gt. grandfather John Openshaw (1844 - 1902), would you believe, worked for the Canal Company !!! After that they moved into Yorkshire. Here they have the strange distinction that they did not cross OVER the Pennines, but went UNDER, on the canal through the Standedge Tunnel, which, at over three miles, is the longest Waterways Tunnel in UK (and possibly the world ??). There was no towpath inside the Tunnel, of course, so the horses either had to be taken over the top or, with the regular Companies, they had a Staging Post system, rather like the Pony Express in America, so that they left the horse at one end of the Tunnel and picked up another one at the other end. Before the boats had engines, they used to be "walked" through the Tunnel by teams of men who lay on their backs on the top of the boat and propelled it along by pushing with their feet on the roof of the Tunnel !! Shucks - there I go again, digressing from my purpose.
The family eventually settled in Huddersfield in 1883. My grandfather, Walter Openshaw (1884 - 1958) was the first of my line to have been born a Yorkshireman - after seventeen generations of Lancastrians (at least those that I know of ). Well, I see what you mean about the number of Williams born circa 1813. I had a similar problem looking for a John Openshaw born c.1805, and that took me about ten years, on and off, before I finally got it sorted. However, your relatives did do one good thing for you. I do not know whether you are aware or not, but Civil Registration in England and Wales commenced in July 1837. You have a distinct "Plus" therefore that you have a wedding and a birth very shortly thereafter to give you a timely launch pad back before Civil Registration. (I missed out 'cos my equivalent marriage entry was 1833 - and the next marriage after that was not until 1864 !!)
I cannot find any entry for William OPENSHAW / Esther MOSS in 1838 on my database, or in my IGI records - nor can I see any birth for JAMES around 1839 in Ashton. However, that is not too surprising since the completeness of the IGI, of course, falls off significantly at around that time. It would seem, therefore, that you should fall back on the General Registry Office Indexes for these two entries - if you have not already done so. These summarise Birth, Marriage and Death entries on film / 'fiche and give you a reference number for use if you are ordering your Certificates from the Central Registry Office in London. On the other hand, it is often quicker to place an order through the Local Registry Office. If you find, or have found, an entry in the Indexes, let me have details and I can obtain the correct Postal Address for you. The cost is GBP 6-50. If you can find the Birth and Marriage entries, and obtain the Certificates, then the Birth Certificate will confirm the names of the parents of James (?? William and Esther ??) and the Marriage Entry will also give you at least the name of the Father of both Bride and Groom. Most significantly, it will give you an address. You could then repair to the 1841 Census, in the hope that they had not moved far between 1838 and 1841. As you are probably aware, the 1841 Census is not brimming over with as much useful information for genealogists as the subsequent Censuses (??Censi??), but it would be a start. If you are really, really lucky this might then lead you to the correct entry in the 1851 Census which, amongst other things, includes relationships, exact (?) ages, and supposedly precise location of Birth. Luckily, most of the 1851 Census has been indexed by Local FHS around the UK.
I am a member of the Manchester & Lancashire FHS - and this covers the area of both Bury / Bolton (where the Openshaws are historically based) and Ashton, where you believe "your" people were. If you would like some more information about the Society, and Genealogical matters for UK in general, try visiting the GENUKI website at http://www.genuki.org.uk . It is maintained by a member of MLFHS at Manchester University, and can lead you in many directions. Have a play. Let me know what you think. As I said in my earlier missive, my hypothesis is that all Openshaws (or at least a very large proportion of them) stem from the one root of Richard Dicon Opynscha (born c.1410). If you can get far enough back, the probability is that you (or at least mum-in-law) will link in too. The earliest Openshaw entry I have so far come across is an extract from a deed of transfer of some land where one of the witnesses might conceivably have been a very early member of the Openshaw “clan”.
“ 23 Edward I (1294/95). Henry de Ancotes given to Alexander le Tinctore (the Dyer) de Manchester an acre of my land in Ancotes with a messuage and a cartilidge (a piece of land, yard or garden) etc. Witnesses Sir Randal, then Dean. Geoffrey de Strangeways. Hugh de Mylnegate Robert, son of Roger de Ancotes Robert de Openshagh, Chaplain. ” Extracted from Manchester Guardian - 14 May, 1853. I have also translated a very old legal document which unfortunately is not precisely dated, but relates to a dispute between two Lords of the Manor, where members of the Openshaw clan were present as witnesses, in the time of King Henry VIII (the one with all the wives) which it would appear was around 1513. It runs to twenty pages in all, but I thought you might find a two or three snippets of some interest - and give you something else to pass on to your mother-in-law to make her happy - always a good plan in married life, I find. 8 )))
Extract One " ? Noted - that it is to be known that the said six men walked these boundaries following upon their oaths, that is to say beginning at the Carlisle Moss between Radcliffe and Ainsworth and so following the boundary to Ringley Hey, then to Ringley Yate, and on to Ringley Yort (a field) to a hedge and a ditch which separates Ainsworth and Bradshaw: and then to a corner of a hedge which separates Bury and Ainsworth - so that no parcel of Cockey Moor is in Radcliffe. And also the said six men swore upon their oaths before the said Awarders that at the corner of the hedge close by the house of John Openshaw three parishes meet ( that is Middleton, Bury and Radcliffe ) so that a man might set a three-legged stool with a foot in each parish, and that they could do this in two other places in Ainsworth; and they said upon their oaths that they never knew, or never heard tell, other than that all Cockey Moor was in Ainsworth, within the parish of Middleton, and that no part of it was within Radcliffe parish - and they would stand by that at the Dreadful Day of Doom. "
Extract Two " The Examination of witnesses in the matter of the dispute between Richard Assheton Esquire upon the one party and John Radcliffe Esquire upon the other party before Richard Hesketh concerning the title of the common pasture and turbary upon Cockey Moor for the party of Richard Assheton. ? James Openshaw of the age of seventy five years, examined upon the Book, said that he knew that Sir Ralph Assheton, Sir Richard Assheton and Richard Assheton had been peaceably possessed and seized of the said Cockey Moor now in dispute and that none of the tenants of the said John Radcliffe had ever occupied the common pasture or turbary upon the said Moor except by licence of the said Sir Ralph, Sir Richard or Richard - unless it were privily and that neither the said Sir Ralph, Sir Richard or Richard nor any of their tenants had any knowledge of it. Further he said that all the calves, colts, and lambs that have been calved, foaled or lambed upon the said Moor have been tithed to the parson of Middleton for the time being. And that the hives that now stand, or have stood, upon the Intake that is now in the possession of the said James, have been likewise tithed to the Parson of Middleton. And also he said that the tenants of the said Sir Ralph, Sir Richard and Richard had each year driven the cattle that were on the said Moor and that none of the tenants of the said John Radcliffe nor any of his predecessors had ever sought to interfere with that. George Kirkman, Edmund Greenhalgh, Ellis Booth, John Bradley and John Harper, examined upon the Book, gave testimony and said that all the evidence given by the said John Openshaw was true. "
Extract Three " Also the said Richard (Lomax) states that one Richard Openshaw, heir of the Schae, took an encroachment on Cockey Moor with a licence from John Radcliffe, Lord of Radcliffe, and the said Richard Openshaw occupied that said encroachment for about twenty years. And then John his son was there during his time, and then one James Openshaw (the brother of John), who lived in Ainsworth, was there for three or four years, but was not the heir. When one John Openshaw, being the rightful heir (but out of the Country at the Wars ) heard of the death of both his uncle John and his father, he came home to claim his land, but the aforesaid James would not allow him to occupy it or to have the title deeds until he ( James ) was agreeable to it. And so the aforesaid John gave the aforesaid James a sum of money, and gave him licence to occupy the aforesaid encroachment and to set his hives - but now the Lord of Middleton claims it for his own. Also the said Richard says that Cockey Moor has been occupied by the tenants of Radcliffe with turbary to give and to sell at their pleasure and to the common pasture for all their animals. Also the Tithes that have accrued concerning the aforesaid Moor ( be they fowl, calf, lamb and wool - or anything else which is titheable ) have always been given to the parson of Radcliffe, and that situation still obtains. ? William Shoesmith of the age of seventy three years says that John Radcliffe who was Lord of Radcliffe thirty years ago gave licence to old Richard Openshaw, who was heir to the Schae, to take an encroachment on Cockey Moor where he could set up his hives. The aforesaid William was close by at the same time. Also the aforesaid William said that one John Openshaw (who was heir to the aforesaid Richard) occupied that same encroachment for fifteen years - but then he died without issue. And one James Openshaw, who lived in Ainsworth and was the brother of the aforesaid John, held the land, even though he was not the rightful heir, for a period of three or four years. And John Openshaw, being the rightful heir but out of the Country at the time, when he heard that both his grandfather and his father were dead came back home to claim his land. The aforesaid James would not permit him to occupy the land nor to have his deeds until he was in agreement. Then the aforesaid John gave James some money to regain his lands and his deeds, and gave him permission to occupy the encroachment with his hives - but the Lord of Middleton now claims it as part of his own land. "
So there you have it. I had been using Parish Records to get my line back to about 1550, around the time when the Parish Records first started (and when Elizabeth I was Queen). This one document then gave me three more generations and took me back over another 100 years !!! When I started out on ny "quest" I never in my wildest dreams thought I could get back so far - but I did ! The Postman has just arrived, and has brought me a copy of a Death Certificate for my Maternal Grandfather. I have just made a start on that new line - the Dentons. I never knew Grandpa Denton, 'cos he was killed in a Coal Mining accident in 1927, when my mother was not quite six years old. I have been aware of the outline situation for many years, but I have never followed it through and never had the hard facts. Now I have made a start .............. 12th May 1927 Matthew Denton Barrow Colliery Worsbrough Barnsley. Cause of Death "Struck by girder which fell owing to fatigue of metal and side pressure. Fracture of Neck. Accidental. " So now, at last, I know - and can start digging some more ......... May I leave you now ?? Time to think about Dentons, rather than Openshaws for a time. Regards to Sonja Nigel near Chester UK PS Revisited your website the other night. What a handsome chappy in all your finery - I take it that it is you and not one of your Colonial Ancestors. Hope those are drumsticks (and not a gun) stuck in your left ear !!!
From: Paul Openshaw 101365.3647@compuserve.com
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 14:22:27 -0400
Subject: Re: openshaw Sender: Paul Openshaw
To: Ross Andrews
Hi Ross, Sorry I have not answered very quickly but i have just come back from University and only just recieved your E-Mail. The information I have is that Oliver Openshaw was born in Bury, Lancs. where he owned cotton mills which he sold and used the money to build a large house in Kentisbury, North Devon, called Brenswick Grange (now The Grange) a caravan park unfortunatlly. He is registed as living there on the 1891 census (he was 31then) and married to Maurd McTurk Gibson. If you can help me go further back I would be very greatfull. Thank you very much Jessica
From: "Nigel Openshaw"
Nigel@openshaw0.demon.co.uk
To: "Jessica Openshaw" 101365.3647@compuserve.com
Cc: "Ross D. Andrews"
Subject: re. Oliver Openshaw
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 11:23:02 +0100
Hi Jessica - or is it Paul ?? - or is it both ??? Greetings to you in Hanley Castle. Does that mean I have to doff my cap to you, as one of the Gentry ?? 8-)) I know where Hanley is (on the Caldon Canal, just off the Trent & Mersey Canal at Etruria), in the "Potteries", but I did not know it boasted a Castle !! Am I in the right place, or is there another Hanley ? With the wonders of modern science, I have just heard all the way from America that you have an interest in one Oliver Openshaw, late of the Parish of Bury and subsequently of Kentisbury in Devon. Well, this could be your lucky day. I recognise the details and, just to whet your appetite, I can tell you the following information :-
OLIVER OPENSHAW was born 23 April 1859 - I believe in Bury. He married MAUD MACTURK-GIBSON, (still in Bury, I think, but I may be wrong) on 4 February 1890. MAUD was born 16 September 1870 - the daughter of Thomas MacTurk Gibson of Fairfield, Glenelg in South Australia. At the time of the marriage, therefore, Maud was a young girl only 19 years old, whilst Ollie was over 30 years. Do we presume, perhaps, that he had been around the world, and bumped into Maudie down in Oz. and brought her back home ? I have no information on those circumstances. The union was quickly blessed with a son. On 24 November 1890 GEOFFREY ORMEROD OPENSHAW was born - so they did not waste any time !! There may have been others, but I do not have any information noted. Is Geoffrey your direct relative, or do you stem from one of his brothers ?? Ollie was the son of THOMAS LOMAX OPENSHAW (a local Justice of the Peace) born 12 April 1828, and baptised at Bury (St. John's) on 23 April, 1828. He eventually died 2 July, 1877 - I think in Bury, but I may be wrong. His mother was ADELAIDE TURNER who was born 23 August 1830, and who married 14 November 1849. What is it about this lot - they seem to like their women young !!! Adelaide was 19 when she wed. She married young, but sadly she also died young, aged 48, on 30 September, 1878. From my notes, it seems that Ollie was the next to the last of a family of seven. The siblings appear to have been William Turner Openshaw (1851) Eliza Holt O. (1852) Adelaide O. (1854) Ellen O. (1856) Mary Elizabeth O. (1858), your Ollie (1859) and finally Joseph Thomas O. (1863). No wonder Adelaide was worn out so young having had that brood - although I have one or two marked in my family tree who created even more than that !!! It is a wonder that the Openshaws did not swamp the world. So how will all that do you for the moment ? Does that make you happy ???? 8-)) I shall be interested to learn where you (and / or Paul) fit into this picture, and how much you have currently found, or know, about your forebears earlier than "this lot". Looking forward to hearing firther from you soon. Nigel near Chester UK
From: "Nigel Openshaw"
Nigel@openshaw0.demon.co.uk
To: "Jessica Openshaw" 101365.3647@compuserve.com
Cc: "Ross Andrews" vtandrew@erols.com
Subject: re Openshaw Ancestry
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 22:35:26 -0000
Hi Jessica ( or should I say "Cousin") Yes, like it or not, we are related !! The bad news is that we have to go back about four hundred and fifty years to find our common ancestry. The good news is that it is possible to do that - and more !! 8 ))
My earliest proven direct line is one Richard Dicon Opynscha, who was born c.1410 - and it seems that you may be the same. Here is a little extract about some of the circumstances surrounding "owd Ryc." """"" In what are called the “Chetham Miscellanies”, from documents unearthed and printed by the Chetham Society, it is reported that John Radclyff, lord of Radclyff, gave licence unto one Old Ryc. Opynscha that was heir to the Schae, to take an encroachment on Cockey Moor and there to set up his hives. Old Ryc., as he was familiarly called, occupied the encroachment for 20 years, and on his death his son John occupied the place for 15 years, dying without issue. There was a second son of Old Ryc, whose name is unknown, and who, it is supposed, pre-deceased his brother and his nephew. His son John was, at the time of his cousin’s death, away at the wars. On his return he found that his uncle James (a third son of Old Ryc.) had taken possession of the encroachment, and John had perforce to buy him out. John was, in 1509, living at Starling, a small hamlet in the parish of Radclyff, of which it is said :-
“At ye cornell of the hegge harde beyde the house of John Opynshaw metys iii pichez yt is to wit, Medulton pch, Bury pch, and Radclyff pch, so yt all ma may sett a iii fortyd stole in eury pch a fote” - which, in modern English, would be rendered :- “At the corner of the hedge, hard by the house of John Openshaw, meets three parishes; to wit Middleton parish, Bury parish, and Radcliffe parish, so that a man may set a three-footed stool, in every parish a foot.” """"""
So, how about that ?? Now, the aforesaid Richard Dicon O. had a GtGtGrandson called James Openshaw who was born around 1540 (just before the start of parish records) and he married Margaret [??]. We may not know her name at this stage, but we do know that she had a total of nine children - and then died 10 Jan 1588. One of those children was called James (b.1578) and another was called Symon (b.1583). James seems to have drifted off in the general direction of Bury, and started your particular branch of the family, some stems of which accumulated a "bit o' brass" along the way. Symon went the other way, in the general direction of Bolton - and it was he who spawned my line of the family. As the youngest son, it seems that Symon had nothing, and may have been a bit of a "Jack the Lad" (as was his son, also Symon, who followed after - as sons tend to do !!) and might have been regarded as the "Black Sheep" of the family. That is all about 15 or 16 generations ago - so does that make us something like Fifteenth cousins ??? (Never was too up on exactly how all that works.) 8-))
Now, here we come to the cross-roads. You see I can "gift" you your whole lineage, at least as a basic framework back to c.1410, or I can leave you to do it all the hard way !!!! What do you want to do ??? However, in fairness, I must tell you that much of what I have about your particular line is not actually down to me, but results from the work of a much closer relative of yours who published a book in 1893 setting out the Pedigree of the Openshaws (principally of Bury) and the Ormerods. Hopefully you are still treasuring a print-out of my first message to you on 13 October last, when I gave you details of Oliver, his mother and father, and all his siblings. Well, I told you then that Ollie's younger brother was called Joseph Thomas Openshaw - and he was born in 1863. He was a Solicitor in Bury (late Captain in the 1st Volunteer Batt. Lancashire Fusiliers) , evidently with a strong interest in genealogy, who wrote the book published in 1893. He also married May Sainte Clare Openshaw [wait for it, are you ready for this ???] - daughter of the Reverend Thomas Openshaw of Hey Mount, Holcombe, co. Lancashire AND RECTOR OF KENTISBURY, co. DEVON !!!! 8 )))) [ She was also his distant cousin.]
Another little snippet I can offer you is about Ollie's father, THOMAS LOMAX OPENSHAW (b. 1828) """"" Thomas Lomax Openshaw took a prominent part in the political life of the town, and particularly in the General Election of 1865, when he not only acted as Chairman of Mr. R. N. Phillips’s committee, but seconded the nomination of Mr. Philips in an able speech in which he advocated the adoption of the ballot and the abolition of Church rates, saying that although a Churchman himself, he felt ashamed when he found the Church taxing others who were opposed to it. He concluded with an appeal to the electors to “rid themselves from the dominion of the Tories of the borough.” There is at present a picture of him at the Philips’ Liberal Unionist Club. He left three sons and four daughters, all of whom are living, except Adelaide, who married Mr. Freeland, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Schools. The eldest is now Mrs. Haslam, of Burnley, the third is Mrs. Bromilow, widow residing at Ambleside; Mary Elizabeth was married to Frank Ernest Pilling Openshaw, of The Starkies; Oliver Openshaw, who resides near Barnstaple; and Joseph Thomas Openshaw, of Irwell Mount, Ramsbottom, who married May Sainte Clare, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Openshaw, B. A., of Hey Mount, Holcombe, and Rector of Kentisbury, North Devon. Joseph Thomas now practices in Bury as a Solicitor...... """"""
My files are full of them - like the touching little story of another of your forebears, Richard Openshaw (born in Bury in 1753) who reportedly joined a Regiment of Volunteers raised by Lord Grey, was made a Sergeant, and went off to fight in Ireland. He was killed in action, and his body is said to have been found by his second wife who searched for him on the battlefield, carrying her elder child. Why can I not find such colourful stuff about my direct line ?? * )) I will leave it there for the moment. Let me know what you decide. All that I have, I am happy to share with you - but it is for you to say first that that is how you want to play it. Having said that, I have merely collated most of your line from Joseph Thomas Openshaw's Pedigree, coupled with various other sources. Some of it I have located through the IGI, but I have not checked it all out against the actual Parish records - which, even if you ask me for all that I have, I would strongly advocate that you check everything out for yourself. Lesson number one in Genealogy is that you never take anything at its face value - always check and cross-check to make absolutely sure that you are on the right path. Listen to what elderly relatives have to tell you - but then check it all out for yourself. Family stories are certainly based on fact - it is just that the facts sometimes get a little distorted along the way. Sometimes the facts are embellished, to gain effect. At other times the facts are clouded, because something is perceived as being "naughty", or because of the "what would the neighbours think" mentality !!! Time for a beer, methinks. A Sammy Websters from Halifax, no less. 8 )') Look forward to hearing further from you soon. Regards Nigel near Chester UK.
From: "Nigel Openshaw"
Nigel@openshaw0.demon.co.uk
To: "Helen Wentworth" Hpwent@aol.com
Subject: re. Openshaw Ancestry
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999
Hello again Helen Now back home again, and I have been digging around and looking into the brief outline which you were able to supply.
Yes, I have found ESTHER OPENSHAW who was born 7 January 1775 at Redvales, Bury - and subsequently baptized at Bury (St Johns) on 19 January 1775. She appears to be my sixth Cousin (six times removed). What might that make you and I ???
My records indicate that she married THOMAS RAMSBOTHAM, of Centre Vale, Todmorden, at Bury (St Mary) on 26 May 1802. I guestimate that Thomas would have been born (?? in Todmorden??) in the 1770s, and I believe that he died (?? in Todmorden??) on 22 April 1839. [ That is two years after the commencement of Civil Registration in England - so there is a good chance you would be able to confirm the unverified information I hold for him by reference to the GRO Index, and subsequent application for a Death Certificate to the relevant Local Registrar. ] I do not hold any information about their children - you will appreciate that, on marriage, she "left" the Openshaw Clan !!.
Esther was the tenth, and last, child of JAMES OPENSHAW, who was baptized 25 September 1737 at Bury (St Mary) and subsequently died 29 June 1808 - I think in Bury. However, it is at this stage that our information differs. According to the details which I hold (plagiarised from a printed Pedigree from 1893 - but not something which I have personally researched) James Openshaw married MARY TURNER, the daughter of Robert Turner of Kersal Moor Manchester, at Manchester Collegiate Church on 15 February 1757. Mary was baptized at Prestwich on 27 August 1734.
Prepare yourself for a family skeleton, Helen. Shock, horror, naughty naughties. This looks seriously like a "shotgun" job !! James was 19 at the time. Mary was three years his senior and should have known better - but she seems to have lead him astray, the little hussy, because their first child HANNAH was born at Pimhole in Bury on 27 September 1757 . 8 )) Over the next 18 years, HANNAH (who died without issue) was followed by ELIZABETH (dwi), SARAH (dwi), MARY (died unm.), RACHEL (dwi), JAMES (b.1766 - I have details of three more generations on his descendants if you want them), SUSANNA, JOHN (died unm.), JANE, and then finally ESTHER. The Grandfather of Esther was JOHN OPENSHAW who was born 5 February 1704 - and he was a man who had a "bit o' brass". He was a Millowner, who started a woollen firm of John Openshaw and Son Ltd at Pimhole, Bury. At the time of its eventual closure in the 1890s the mills had around 200 looms and over 6750 spindles. The Grandmother of Esther was ELIZABETH ORMEROD, who was born about 1705. Her parents were Oliver Ormerod and Annie Howarth.
I have a copy of an Ormerod Pedigree claiming to show the Ormerod line back to around 1270. I can supply many more details of both the Openshaw and the Ormerod lines - but presume that that will suffice for the moment. If you want more, all you need to do is ask. I await your comments with interest. Nigel near Chester UK
From: "R. Houston" rfhouston@mindspring.com
Reply-To: rfhouston@mindspring.com
To: vtandrew@erols.com
Subject: RE: Openshaw Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 17:26:53 -0500
Do you know if your search for Openshaws took you to Butte Co., California. Do you have a Myron and Smith Openshaw in the cattle business. My sister Lisa Gaye Openshaw Kochell in MD is 37yrs (hospital administrator) and is asking about her roots. I am her older sister by a previous marriage and have the internet connection. Can you help me/her. Many years ago some Openshaws did come through CA and talked to my family about similar roots. That was years ago and of course no one remembers who they were, or should I say where they were from. Thanks. Hope to hear from you. RFHouston (rfhouston@mindspring.com)
From: "Peter Lawford" history@lawfordnamestudy.idps.co.uk
To: Subject: Lawford & Openshaw
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 1999 03:43:31 +0100
Dear Ross I am the hub of the Lawford name worldwide and have just had an enquiry about the descendants of a Captain Lawford. A photo album has been found and the holder would like to contact any relatives of the Captain in the hope that the photo's may be identified. Do you have a William Harrison Openshaw married to Elizabeth Joyce Emily Lawford in 1945. Thanks for your time. Regards Peter
From: Roy Openshaw roy.openshaw@which.net
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 21:28:42 +0100
Reply-To: roy.openshaw@which.net
To: VTAndrew@erols.com
Subject: Openshaw
I am also researching the name Openshaw and wondered if you would exchange information. I have the Marriage Cert. of William Openshaw and Esther Moss. They were married in Oldham Parish, Lancashire on the 4th February 1838, both were of full age, ( no age given). William's father was John Openshaw, Labourer. Esther's father was entered as DEAD. Normally the entry would have had the father's name and deceased but probably because this was an early MC each parish did there own thing instead of following the laid down recommendations. regards Roy Openshaw from Berkshire, UK Thanks Roy! I have been trying to find this information for 7 years and here it is sent to me as a pleasant surprise!
From: "Maurice Openshaw" MOP@12roscobie.freeserve.co.uk
Subject: The surname "Openshaw"
Date: Sun, 25 Jul 1999
My name is Maurice Openshaw and I was born and raised in the Bolton area of
Lancashire. I recently discovered your website in the Genealogy Archive and
was impressed by the compiled Openshaw email. In the course of my own research
into my family history I contacted the Bolton and Manchester libraries for information
and learned that the name 'Openshaw' first appeared in print in 1276 referring
to a small area east of Manchester as part of the Salford Hundred. Various spellings
of the name come from the old english 'schawe' - a wood or copse. Similarly
'opyn' was the old english for unenclosed. Opynschawe thus described the place.
Later spellings appear as Opynsawe, Opynscha,Opinschawe and Openschagh, then
eventually Openshaw. In those days the common Anglo-Saxons had no surnames so,
as an individual moved around he would be known in his new home as, say, Alfred
of Openshaw. his son, assuming a surname, would then be, say John Openshaw.
Thus, from an early beginning, there would be different individual ancestor
for each group of Openshaws. The English industrial revolution saw hundreds
of country people moving into the cotton towns of Bolton,Bury, Oldham and Rochdale,
amongst whom would be many Openshaws. They in turn had large families, hence
the large collection of Openshaws originating in this area, now known as Greater
Manchester. Later, many emigrated to America, Canada, and New Zealand, as well
as spreading throughout Britain. Hundreds of Openshaws in all these countries
can be found in the 'World Book of Openshaws' by Halbert's Family Heritage,
c/o Unit 16, Britannia Estate, Poyle Road, Colnbrook, Berkshire.SL3 OBH.England.
I hope this information is of interest to all the Openshaws using this compiled
Openshaw email. Sincerely, M.Openshaw.
From: Karen Hanrahan khanra@timesnet.net
Subject: Openshaw
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 09:20:24 -0400
Hi, I am looking for information on a Mary Openshaw, I have very little info.
I Have my great grandmothers birth certificate issued by District Bury Subdistrict
Elton county of Lancaster #486 born Sarah Brooks 7 Aug 1876 or 78 (last number
is blurred) her father was a Jim or John Brooks Both names were listed in different
blocks of the certificate. Her mother is listed as Mary Brooks formerly Openshaw
of Ainsworth. Reg. 2 Sept 1878. Sarah lived into her 90's I know very little
about Mary except by stories from Sarah. She remembers living with an aunt when
she was small. I don't know if Mary died young. Sarah told us that her mother
had been disowned from the family when she married, that her family considered
her dead. I believe the family thought she married beneath herself. Which by
looking at Sarah's birth certificate her father's signature is an X. Any Info
you may have will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Karen Hanrahan
From: "Jerry and Barbara Cornia" jerryc@trib.com
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 1999 23:04:16 -0600
I just found your web site. I have Openshaw ancesters who came from Bolton,
Lancashire, England. Mary Openshaw was born about 1788 in Bolton. She died 29
Dec 1893 in Bolton. She married James Holden b. about 1776 and died 1862 in
Bolton. We have no exact marriage date for them. This couple had nine chidren
including: John, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Susanna, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary and
Rachel. They were born between 1820-1830. We know Mary's parents were James
and Rachel Openshaw, but that is all the information we have on them. James
Holden was an illegitimate son of Rachel Holden and James Prescott. We have
quite a bit of information on James and Mary Openshaw Holden's descendants,
but know little of their ancestors. Can anyone help?
From: "Michael Bliss" Michael.Bliss@btinternet.com
Subject: Openshaw Family of Lancashire, England
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1999 18:19:02 +0100
Do you have any information on Charles Openshaw, a paper maker, born at Farnworth,
Lancashire, England about 1792 who married Mary and whose children included
Catherine, who was born in 1816 at Little Lever, near Bolton, Lancashire and
grand-children included Charles, born at Preston, Lancashire about 1826 and
John born about 1831 at Manchester, Lancashire? Michael J F Bliss Hampshire,
England
From: "Michael Bliss" Michael.Bliss@btinternet.com
To: Cc: Subject: OPENSHAW Family of Bolton area, Lancashire
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 18:39:26 +0100
To Nigel Openshaw I recently found the "Openshaw" website of Ross D
Andrews, Manassas, VA, USA and asked him if he had any information on a Charles
Openshaw from Farnworth, Lancs. He has put my enquiry on his website. When looking
at this, I noticed that you sent him E-Mails on 1 and 8 October 1998 which included
reference to Openshaws moving from the Bolton/Bury area to the Manchester area
about 1842. Having checked my notes taken from the 1851 Census, it seems that
Charles Openshaw could have been born at AINSWORTH not Farnworth. Neither his
age nor place of birth are clearly written, however, his grandchildren, who
were living with him at Eccles Papermill, are clearly shown. The baptism records
for Little Lever show his children as Robert (1806), Mary (1808), Betty (1810),
John (1812), Betty (1814), Catherine (1816), Jane (1821) and Charles (1823).
His wife was Mary (probably Teasdell, married 7 April 1806 at Bolton-Le-Moors).
I do not know which of these children is/are the parent(s) of those grandchildren,
except that they are not children of my wife's GGG Grandmother, Catherine Openshaw,
who married William Instone in Eccles, before moving first to Manchester and
then to Wolverhampton. Can you help?
From: "Nigel Openshaw" Nigel@openshaw0.demon.co.uk
To: "Michael Bliss" Michael.Bliss@btinternet.com
Subject: Re: re. Openshaw Ancestry
Date: Wed, 17 Aug 1999 08:24:12 +0100
Good Morning Michael and Thank you for your enquiry. Yes, I do have a Charles
Openshaw recorded - well, several actually, but one in particular seems to fit
the outline which you have given. This is not my personal research, but has
been gleaned from somebody who is basically quite reliable. However, "Rule Number
One", of course, is always to check anything out for yourself where your direct
line is dependent upon that information. I have Charles Openshaw born in Bolton
(this could be applied equally to Farnworth or Ainsworth) in 1783, and the IGI
shows him Baptised at Ringley 19 October 1783. The use of Ringley Church might
possibly indicate that Farnworth is more likely than Ainsworth. Charles was
the son of John Openshaw and Ann Norris. I have his occupation as Labourer in
Mills. I have his wife as Mary Teasdell, whose family seem to have been from
Liverpool since she was baptised at St. Nicholas Church in Liverpool on 7 July
1782. This church was known as the "Sailors Church" and is situated down near
an area which used to be Docks, but is now occupied by the "famous three" buildings
of The "Liver Building", "Cunard Building", and the Mersey Docks and Harbour
Board Offices. Charles and Mary married at Bolton St. Peter on 7 April 1806
and seemingly had the eight children whom you have listed. The 1851 Census has
Charles as a Widower living at the Paper Mills in Stretford (Reference HO107
/ 2217 511). I believe the family were also there in 1841. However, I am mystified
that you talk seemingly of Charles being Grandfather to these children, not
their father. Have I read that right ???? Please explain. One of the children
listed is Catherine (born 1816). Are you saying that she IS or IS NOT your wife's
GGG Grandmother ?? This Catherine is my 4th Cousin 5x Removed. That could make
your wife my 4th Cousin ?? Must dash. Look forward to some amplification of
your earlier remarks and your reaction to the information set out above. Nigel
near Chester UK
To: "Nigel Openshaw" Nigel@openshaw0.demon.co.uk
From: "Michael Bliss" Michael.Bliss@btinternet.com
Subject: Re: re. Openshaw Ancestry
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 22:02:12 +0100
Good Evening Nigel Your prompt reply to my enquiry took me by surprise, but even more surprising is its contents which will be of great assistance in tracing our family ancesters. I have not yet found the Openshaw family on the 1841 Census, so you are a little ahead of me. The 1851 Census shows Charles, a windower, age unclear, a Labourer in Mill, born at ????worth. Next shown is John, age 19, Grandson to Charles, an apprentice papermaker, born at Manchester. Then Thomas, age 24, also Grandson and papermaker, born at Preston ????? End, his wife, Hannah, age 27, born in Cheshire, also Charles, age 2 and Mary Ann, 5 months, both children of Thomas and Hannah. No Baptisms for these appear in the IGI, so I do not know who are the parents of John or Thomas, but they cannot be the children of Mary as she was too young. Robert is the most likely father. The Baptism record for Catherine shows her father as a "Paper maker". If he was born in 1783, at the time of the 1851 Census, he was 68 and therefore likely to have been given lighter duties at the Mill. He may have been a caretaker/cleaner/odd job man. Perhaps the 1841 Census gives a clearer picture. Catherine was my wife's GGG Grandmother. As you are an Openshaw, you must be descended from the common ancesters through father/son relationships each generation. My wife, Jennifer Catherine Elaine, has descended from Mary Teasdell though mother/daughter relationships each generation. It is interesting to note that the names from Mary Teasdell are Catherine, Mary Jane, Catherine, Henrietta Kate, Mary Elaine, Jennifer Catherine Elaine and our daughter is Elizabeth Kathryn Anne. Sorry, I cannot comment on Catherine being your 4th Cousin 5R, or Jenny, 4th Cousin, since you have not said where your ancester fits in the family. Many thanks for your message. I hope this makes things a little clearer Michael
From: "Ian O Smith" IOSmith@btinternet.com
Subject: Openshaw Research
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 22:00:44 +0100
Dear Ross, I have just started researching the Openshaws, as my great grandfather was Thomas Openshaw, born 15 Dec 1849 in Heywood Lancs, died April 1927. I have a copy of the birth certificate.He was the son William Openshaw and Alice Chadwick. ( from the the data on the internet I believe they were married in 1836 in Rochdale but have not been able to confirm this.) They lived at 37 Mason Street Heywood, Lancashire at the time of Thomas's birth.Thomas Openshaw moved from Lancashire to Leeds where he established a plumbers merchant business which was subsequently owned by my grandfather George Openshaw. I am astounded at the amount of interesting information that is already available on the internet, and the extent of your researches! Do you have any information to link the William Openshaw who married Alice Chadwick to earlier generations of the Openshaw family? Do you have any information on Thomas's or William's siblings. I would also be interested in obtaining a copy of The Openshaw Pedigree by Joseph T. Openshaw F.Z.S., F.I.INST., SOLICITOR 1893 Do you know if it is possible to obtain copies of this in the UK I would be very thankful for any help you can give.
From: "Malcolm" mojdo@enterprise.net
Subject: Openshaw Family
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999
Hi! I am Malcolm Openshaw. You will find my name listed as lecturer at the
Isle of Man College. Here is a little more about my side of the family:- My
grandfather was James William Openshaw (coalminer) I believe he was originally
from Lancashire but he and his family moved to Hamilton Scotland when thing
got tough in the Lancs coalfields. He married one Georgia McCawley (date unknown).
They had three known children Rebecca, William (DoB 13/891914) my father, and
Susan, all born in Hamilton Scotland. My father met Dorothy Cathrine Brown during
the war and married. they had one son, me, Malcolm (DoB 2/6/42) I was born in
Liverpool. I married one Judith Dorothy Moorcroft 4/9/65. In 1966 we moved from
Liverpool to Hindley Wigan. We have three children Ian Stuart (DoB 2/5/70),
Lynne 3/9/72 and Andrew (DoB 19/5/76). All three were born in Wigan Lancs. We
moved from Wigan to the Isle of Man on 18/8/87. Ian married one Nichola Gavin
of Leigh Lancs and they have one daughter Paige Louise (DoB 16/11/97). Lynne
is also married to one Peter Mclaren Croley, they have no children. I do not
know of any more information about my fathers side of the family as they lost
touch with each other. If you have any information that might tie up with what
I have given you I would be most happy to receive it. Yours Malcolm Openshaw
From: "Edwin Openshaw Swafford" eswaffor@san.rr.com
Subject: George Openshaw
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999
My great grandfather, George Openshaw was born in Bury, Lancashire on November 13, 1836. I obtained this information from a family bible page in his or my great grandmothers hand writing. (I have a copy of the passenger list of the "S.S. City of Manchester" listing I. or J. Openshaw and G. Openshaw arriving in the city of Philadelphia, PA from Liverpoole. April 17, 1853.) I hope this finds you in good health and spirit. Edwin Openshaw Swafford eswaffor@san.rr.com
From: "Brennan Tighe" btighe@myisp.co.uk
Subject: Openshaw Family
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999
Hi, my names Jessica Openshaw and I have been tracing my family tree for some
time now luckily enough I came across Nigel who has helped u with this website
so I have alot of the info which he has sent me. The reason why I have written
this e-mail is because you haven't completed the final part of my family tree.
You see on the last traceable census Oliver (215) had only Geoffrey as a son
but he actually had 5 sons my dads got all the dates and names, so does Nigel.
I am the granddaughter of Morris Openshaw. I will get all the names and dates
for u and if you would like any copies of old Openshaw pictures (a family photo
dating back to 1870 we think and Oliver as well as his sons) please just Email
me. In one of these pictures I look remarkably like one of the little girls
and my dad one of the men, its funny how looks pass through the family! Anyway
I'm very impressed by the web site keep it up! Thanks alot, yours, Jessica
From: James M Openshaw Myrl33@aol.com
Subject: Openshaw family history
Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1999
My name is James M Openshaw i live in Utah and my ancestors migrated west with
the Mormans, and settled in central utah. I am interested in obtaining information
on William Openshaw , Eli Openshaw , John Thomas Openshaw.Any suggestions,or
help would be appreciated.....
From: Peter Wood woodies@racman1466.free-online.co.uk
Date: Mon, 03 Jan 2000
Subject: openshaw
hello, came across your web address on L.D.S. whilst researching my family
tree.Openshaw is a name on my maternal line.I don't have a lot of info and if
any one can help I'd be grateful. In the late 1800's, Ormrod [Ormerod] Openshaw
was a widower having had two daughters from his 1st marriage,wifes name unknown
- children possibly Annie and Nellie.Sometime around the turn of the century
he married his second wife,a widow called Elizabeth Tinker who already had several
children from her 1st marriage.In January 1904 the only child of this second
marriage was born,Doris, who was my maternal grandma.Doris her parents and stepbrothers
and sisters all lived at Church Lane Harpurhey Manchester. Doris Openshaw married
Charles Irving Hill in the late 1920's and moved to live in Alkrington,Middleton
their only child was my mum Brenda who still lives in the same house. My gt.
grandfather Openshaw died July 12th 1934 and is buried in St. Lukes Cheetham
Manchester .I am married and still live here in Middleton and am compiling quite
a family tree but until now haven't researched Openshaw.I've got my mum looking
for old certificates/records as she only knows that her grandfather died when
she was 3! Look forward to hearing from you Janet. P Wood
From: Gavinopens@aol.com
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2000
Subject: (no subject)
hiya, my name is Gavin Openshaw, I stumbled onto your site, and thouoght I
may be related to these people, I too live in Radcliffe and always have my parents
lived in Ainsworth, near cockey moor...........big site sorting my way through
it..... Gavin Openshaw (the 1st)
From: JACQUI KIRTON [NEE OPENSHAW] PHILIPKIRTON@aol.com
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 18:24:50 EST
Subject: OPENSHAW FAMILY
HELLO THERE!!!!! MY NAME IS JACQUI KIRTON [NEE OPENSHAW] MY "CLAIM TO FAME"
IS THAT I AND MY FAMILY WERE BORN AND RAISED IN THE "VILLAGE" OF "OPENSHAW"
. WE HAVE SINCE MOVED TO SURROUNDING AREAS AND WOULD LOVE TO KNOW MORE OF OUR
FAMILY ROOTS! IF IT IS OF ANY HELP MY GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS ONE OF 13 OR 14
BOYS!!!!!!! MY GRANDFATHER WAS CALLED WALTER AND WAS BORN IN 1913 HIS SISTERS
WERE EMMIE AND LILY AND I BELIEVE HE HAD A BROTHER CALLED ARTHUR WHOM I BELIEVE
DIED DURING THE WAR PLEASE GET BACK TO ME IF YOU CAN AS I AM DESPERATE TO KNOW
MY ROOTS!!!!!! KINDEST REGARDS FROM A RELATIVE !!!!!!!!!!!
From: "Ann Van Tries" aovantries@att.net
To: Subject: Openshaw's
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2000
Dear Sir; It was quite by accident I came upon your website and read some (not all) of the associated links. The "O" in my sig is for Openshaw. My grandfather was Robert Openshaw, Sr. a lieutenant in the Fall River police department at the turn of the century. He came from Lancashire and was the son of Thomas Openshaw and wife Ann Haworth. Sometime in 1970 my uncle (Thomas E. Openshaw, dec. formerly of Falls Church, Va.) went to England forthe sole purpose of locating ancestors/relatives. Before he died he gave me a copy of some of his infor-mation. He was able to trace our branch of the family back to "Openscha of the Schae" ca. 1370 who is mentioned in the obituary, and Rye or Decon Opynscha (1410); the John Opynscha who "went to ye warre" (1470); and it here mentions one Lamwell Openshawe who married Elizabeth daughter and co-heiress of Robert Sharples of Sharples in Lancaster. There is a lot more which I will not go into here. I have a wonderful story of my grandfather's leaving England and coming to the US. If you are interested in my information, please contact me and I will be glad to tell you as much as I know. You may want to have a look at the archives of the Fall River Herald News for more information on my grandfather and his oldest son Frederick who was also a police officer in FR. Sincerely, Ann O. Van Tries
From: "Ann Van Tries" aovantries@att.net
To: Subject: Openshaw's
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000
Dear Ross: It seems my uncle's work ran into the same dead-end. That branch of the family stops with Dr. G. Ormerod, "Historian of Cheshire". My branch goes back directly to James Openshy and his wife Margaret Bridge of Tottington. Their son Thomas had a son, John, who married Alice, granddaughter of their son John (of Pimole) through his son George. Alice and John had a son named James, of whom there does not seem to be much information except that he had a son named Thomas - my great-grandfather. He married Ann Haworth and the children I know of are James (died & buried in Africa), Robert (my grandfather), Mary (married Jim Harrison - both buried in Oak Grove Cem. in FR), Rachel (who lived in Boston but was banned from the family for marrying a Catholic), and a sister named Sarah Alice about whom I know nothing.
My grandmother was Ada Greenwood. All I know of her is that her father was an architect of some reputation who died of smallpox when Nana was about 3 years old (1870). She had a brother, Arthur Greenwood who was a master weaver, a sister Elizabeth, and a sister also named Sara Alice about whom I know nothing. I met Arthur when I was about 12 years old. He lived in New Jersey and came for a visit. Elizabeth lived in Fall River (Mrs. Arthur Lowe) and I remeber going to her home several times. She died around 1936.
The story of their migration: The two familes were acquainted mostly through the young men. My grandfather joined the army and because he was 6'4" was assigned to Queen Victoria's "own regiment". This meant, among other things, he was 'priviledged' to do special guard duty at Buckingham Palace on every occasion of visiting dignitaries, etc. There were a number of drawbacks to such 'honor' among them the fact that each guardsman stood inspection before and after his tour of duty. His crossed white belts had to be as clean after as before. So out of their meagre pay they were forced to hire the "Bobby" on the beat to walk behind them and scrub off the belts. The straw that broke the camel's back came when it was announced that their meal rations were to be cut in half! The whole regiment decided to desert!!
His friends, the Greenwoods, were going to America. Arthur offered to help make the travel arrangements. When the time came to sail, Grandpa and his friend Mr. Hartley (Hartley's Pork Pies in Fall River) got a week-end leave. The sailing was scheduled for early Saturday morning. By the time he was supposed to report back to his barracks, he was two days at sea. The other members of the reigment were eventually caught and sent to a prison where most of them died of typhoid. I don't know whether his sisters came with him then, or whether that was later. I do know that my grandmother, her mother, her brother, and her sister all came at the same time. My grandparents were married in Fall River.
Sometime in the early 30's my uncle Fred applied to King George V for a pardon
which was denied. After George VI took the throne, he applied again and both
Mr. Hartley and my grandfather were pardoned. As you noted many of our tribe
came to New England because of the weaving industry. Since Arthur Greenwood
was a Master Weaver this seems logical. Grandpa did get a job in one of the
mills in FR where he worked until he could pass the civil service exam and become
a policeman. He was not on the force when "Lizzie Borden took an ax........"
but joined shortly afterward. When he was a boy he worked with his father and
brothers in coal mines. He told me that his father (Thomas) died when a coal
wagon fell over on him. I have one brother (Robert Openshaw, III) living here
in the Houston area. A brother David who died in 1995, and four sisters, Charlotte
and Katherine who live in Arkansas, Mildred, here in Houston, and Roberta in
Whitesville, NY. We came to Texas in 1943 and stayed. My father, Robert Jr.,
died in 1948 and is buried here. Read and enjoy! If you find any information
on the Greenwoods of "Bolton", pass it on. Seems as if my uncle Tom didn't do
any research in that area. Hope to hear from you again. Ann O. Van Tries
From: Hilbert Hubble Hhubble@aol.com
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 16:15:40 EST
Subject: Fwd: John and William Openshaw
Have you come across John Openshaw b 1818 Slackfesch? mar Hannah Pye 24 May
1846 St. Marys Sculcoates. His son William (my great-grandfather) born 12 Nov
1855 Cumberland St in Sculcoates and married Emily Thornill 25 Dec 1877. He
died 12 Dec 1922 in Bombay. Hilbert Hubble, Silver Spring, Maryland
From: darren openshaw .shaw@gm.dreamcast.com
Subject: openshaw
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000
hi,my name is darren openshaw my close relitives and i live in county du rham,england
which to my knowledge has not been mentioned on this site. my grandfather john
openshaw born in 1932 is the only information i have , but i could get more
if needed. could anyone please help, there is qu ite a lot of us here in durham.
i look forward to hearing from you. darren openshaw
From: "David Openshaw" davidjopenshaw@hotmail.com
To: Subject: The Openshaw Family Archive
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2000
I have just found you web site. My Openshaws are very largely all from Bolton, Lancs and I was born and brought up there too. I go back to Thomas O. christened 31 Oct 1738 Bolton St Peter and of Darcy lever, Bolton. His father was Thomas and his mother Ann but I cannot find a marriage to link him to previous generations of Darcy Lever Openshaws. Regards from David J. Openshaw
From: "Michael Synge"
Michael@Synges.net
Subject: Another Openshaw contact
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2001 11:34:29 -0400
A couple of years ago, when I was in England, I stumbled into another Openshaw with no known connection to my lot. I wonder if she might fit in with what you know. She is Margaret M. (Openshaw) Fieldhouse. I quizzed her about her ancestry but she was very vague. She said her father was John Frederick Openshaw. She mentioned a Mary Hannah Grason, but I wasn't sure whether this was her mother or grandmother. I wrote to her once but got no response. Just in case you are interested, or want to put her into your collection so that someone else might claim her, her address is Mrs. M. M. Fieldhouse, Pyrenmount, Parsons Way, Winscombe, Somerset, BS25 1BU, England.
From: Maureen Caldwell littlemo@ciusa.net
Subject: Openshaw
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001 21:13:27 -0700
Hi, I'm trying to trace Tom and May(Naylor) Openshaw who were in Gargrove, Yorkshire, England in 1937 per a letter I have from them to my gtgrandfather. May was daughter of John Naylor of Golborne,Lancashire. Any connection??
From: "Robert Openshaw" graphix32@hotmail.com
Subject: Openshaw here
Date: Sun, 08 Jul 2001 17:07:28 -0000
Dear sir. After viewing the information on your web site pertaining to the Openshaw legacy, or files, I have yet to see any mention of the Openshaws in South Africa, as that is where I am from. My name is Robert Graeme Openshaw, son of John Christian Openshaw who is the son of John Thomas Openshaw. I am aware of the fact that a few Openshaws immigrated to the African continant somewhere in the 1800's. And have no idea about the information as to where we came from and what happened for us being in Africa. Also, I thought it would be nice to know that in some odd way, we are related (the American Openshaws) to each other, and expands the tree just that much. Our tree is dying out as I am literally the last Openshaw male here that has to sire a son. In fact, I am the last. In all other other branches, the Openshaws have no sons. All this is, I am sure, pointless information, but thought you would like to know that the Openshaw tree extends to South Africa as well. Sincerely Robert OPenshaw
From: "Jeffrey Peikin" Jeffrey_Peikin@WDC.USDA.GOV
Subject: A Hello from my family to Ann Lynn Openshaw (Luxmanor
Elementary..."class of '75" !
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001 12:04:52 -0400
Hi...my name is Jeffrey Peikin, happily married for 10 years and living in Gaithersburg, MD. Lost track of Ann Openshaw MANY years ago (Probably after June 1975). My almost 6 year old daughter is about to start the first grade in Montgomery County, MD, and of course, this got me thinking about my elementary school years. I went to the Luxmanor Elementary from 1971-1975 and knew Ann...I went to Tilden Jr. High, Landon School, Brown University, and graduated from The George Washington U. in '86. ...work for USDA now....enough w/resume'. Just writing to say hello ....nothing more. (1975 was a long time ago!)....I simply entered her name (on a whim) on Google and stumbled onto her family's geneaology site (?) . Pass on good wishes if you can. Thanks- Jeffrey_Peikin@wdc.usda.gov.
From: John Hugh Winter john.winter@orange.net
Subject: Gladys Openshaw
Date: 26 July 2001
Hi I am tracing my family tree - (aren't we all!), and I found a reference on your site to Gladys Openshaw. My Grandmother was called this, but I have no date of birth, so I can't be sure it is the same person. My Gladys lived in northern England (Lancashire), born somewhere is the late 1880/90's. She married Samuel Hugh Winter, and died in about 1972. Do you have any more information on your Gladys? Regards John
From: "Leanne Anderson" leanneanderson@xtra.co.nz
Subject: Openshaw Family Tree
Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2001 18:25:28
Hi I have been trying to find out where our family fits in on the family tree, and I had trouble even finding anything relating to us. My Nana was an Openshaw, born in Bury, Radcliffe, England. Unfortunately our details are pretty scare, but I will tell you as much as I know and hopefully you may be able to help. My Nana: Hannah Openshaw Born: 1 Feb 1910 Died: 12 Jun 1988 Married: Robert Anderson, 26 Sep 1929, Blackball, NZ Father: James Openshaw, bricklayer Mother: Elizabeth (nee Hill) Half Brother: Arnold Openshaw Born: 1800 approx. Died: 22 Aug 1972 James's first wife was Jane (nee Percival). I think she died. James's father may have been called Charles. In 1920 James, Elizabeth, Arnold and Hannah immigrated to New Zealand and settled in Blackball which was a mining community situated on the West Coast of the South Island. They later moved to Denniston, which is still on the West Coast (closest town is Westport). This is where my father, Robert James Anderson was born. I would appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks Leanne
From: "Till, Diane" diane.till@bromley.gov.uk
Subject: Information request on the Openshaw family
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2001 16:29:34
Hello , my name is Diane Till, my Grandmother - in - law (Margaret Openshaw)is coming to England in May and desperately wants to go to a town where she can visit the graves of her ancestors. I would be very grateful if you could offer any advice as to where we could start as this is my grandmothers reason for coming to England. My E-mail address is diane.till@bromley.gov.uk Thank you in anticipation Diane
From: Robin Openshaw roblee@telus.net
Subject: Openshaw
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2001 11:39:59
Hello, I have tried multi times to locate any info about my background to no avail. My name is Christopher Robin Openshaw born in Leeds England 1936 to parents Fred William Openshaw and mother Bessie Maude Woodcock. Mother born Bolton, England and father I believe from Bolton or Manchester. Father had sister Annie Openshaw. Could be that mother's mom is Edith Audrey Wilson. Any ideas how I might trace same Thanks, Robin Openshaw
From: "Trish Marut" t_marut32@hotmail.com
Subject: Martha Openshaw
Date: Sun, 24 Mar 2002 14:07:58
Hi, I happened upon your site and found you have a bit of information on Martha Openshaw. Openshaw, Martha (*1837 - ) father: Openshaw, Samuel(1804 - 1887) mother: Wood, Isabella(*1802 - ) spouse: Beali, Redmond (*1833 - ) In tracing my family tree we have Martha married to Redmond Reali....the first letter of the surname is an R not a B. Would you have any more info on Redmond and I would love to know where you got the information from. The IGI does have several children listed with Martha and Redmond Reali as parents. Trish
From: "Susan.Marschall" susan.marschall@ntlworld.com
Subject: The Openshaws
Date: Wed, 8 May 2002 14:42:27
Hello Ross, My connection with the Openshaws is through my maternal Grandmother Janet Margerie Openshaw born March 27, 1880 to Frank Ernest Pilling Openshaw whose Father was The Rev.Thomas Openshaw Rector of Kentisbury, Devon. I have visited a few times in the course of family history as my branch of family comes from a long line of farm labourers. If you are interested then please get in touch, I don't have much but what I have you are welcome. Roy Perrin
From: Whitecroftlodge@aol.com
Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 15:05:35 EDT
Subject: Openshaws
Hi, I read with interest some email from Paul Openshaw about the Openshaws who went to South Africa / Rhodesia my wifes granmother I believe was one of them she died in East Yorkshire but the family had been out in Africa. My email to Paul was bounced back, do you have any information? Regards, Bill Horn
Last Updated 9 June 2002
by Ross Andrews