FRIENDS of Jacksdale & Westwood

Use this page to keep in touch with ex-villagers or if you are tracing your family tree
please let us know and we will post an appeal for you. Please contact the webmaster if you can help with any of the appeals.

     
  I have thoroughly enjoyed your web site. It has included some photos I haven't seen elsewhere. I am particularly interested in those relating to my family history. I wonder if you can give me further advice on the following ? My ancestors are MILWARD, SUMPTER & TAGG all local to Riddings. They lived at Hollyhurst Terrace, Dog Kennels (shown on your website) so obviously worked at Oakes and Co ironworks. James Millward and his sons worked at the iron works and local mines. You have many pictures of staff at the Riddings ironworks and one in particular caught my eye as one of the men pictured has a very strong resemblance to my grandfather. Due to the date of the photo I believe he could be James Cyril Milward and is shown in the centre front row. Could you advise if there is any record of the names of the men shown, or is there someone I can contact who may know more about the photo or the ironworks ?

I have been trying to find Milward information for some years now, but I have been unable to learn more of the family beyond closer relatives.The family in 1911 are recorded as; James Milward an iron turner and earlier a stationary steam engine operator, and wife Alice (nee Sumpter). James Cyril (28) a 'pattern maker wood' Ruth (17) George (14) an iron turner Basil (12) Winifred (6) Fred (6) Grandson - and my grandfather's half brother. Fred worked in the local coal mines when he left school. Any snippet of information or advice would be gratefully received.  Posted by Jim Randle 22/02/09

  
     
 
Please can anyone help with any knowledge of either the ROOPE or MYATT families of Alfreton, Derbyshire.
Francis Marshall Roope moved to Alfreton from Cambridgeshire sometime between 1871 and 1881. He lived there until 1923 and had houses in the High Street, Riddings Road and South Street/ Greenhill Lane. In the time he lived there he was employed as a signal man for the Midland Railway. His wife was called Lucretia Fanny Roope His son, George Frederick Roope was employed down the mine in Alfreton as a Hewer and also a road man. He was Married to Phoebe MYATT who died, probably in childbirth. He then married Hilda SWAIN from South Normanton. Hilda's father Solomon SWAIN worked in the mines for many years as a Hewer. His sons, William, Samuel and George also worked down the mines as hewers and pony drivers. They lived for many years in South Normanton at Terrace Row before moving to Albert Road. Sometime between 1901 and 1911 the SWAINS and George ROOPE moved to Bentley in Doncaster to work in the mines. Did the Alfreton coal mine close about this time? If there is anyone who can help with knowledge, background or can point me in the right direction I would me more than grateful.  Posted by Mark Roope  - 21/02/09
  
     
 
Old School friends of Mary Barton would be interested in making contact. She was the youngest of the family who lived in Barrows Hill Lane, and then on the main road at Jacksdale, their house backing on to the old recreation field. Pat Topham is particularly keen to find resume contact, even after some 50 years.  Posted by Derek Wilmott - 11/02/09
  
 

 

  
Marge Simpson (nee Grundy)  has contacted us as she wishes to get in touch with Ann Edwards (nee BEEBY), who was niece to the Beeby family of Jacksdale.  Ann married Gordon Edwards of Golden Valley in the 1950s and they moved to Derby.  Ann and Margaret were best friends.  If you can help please contact the webmaster. Posted 17/09/08.
 

Can you help us find the BERRY Family ??
 

 

 
         Lorna Gillan of Coventry has contacted the Jacksdale Website as she wishes to return some family history papers to the BERRY family of Jacksdale.  Lorna was at a car boot recently in Coventry when she spotted several documents relating to Cyril Berry who was born in the Jacksdale area in 1909.  From further research we know that Cyril Wilfred Arthur Berry married  Irene Margery CUTTS at St Mary's Church, Westwood in 1932.  The bride was the daughter of Robert Cutts of Edward Avenue, a colliery policeman. Cyril was the son of Alfred Berry, a gardener. Cyril's sister, F. Gwendoline Berry and an Edward Dexter were witnesses at the wedding. 

     We believe that the Berry family lived at Bridle Lane, Leabrooks at one stage, also at Pye Hill and that Gwendoline Berry may later have lived at Laverick Road, Jacksdale. It looks like Cyril and his bride Irene Margery had no children of their own so we think this is how the documents ended up in a car boot sale.  The papers include a school reference written by Mr Jackson, the head teacher of Ironville Boys' School in 1923 and a reference written in 1929 by Mr Stringfellow of Jacksdale School where Cyril had attended night classes.  There is also a reference from James Oakes & Co, where Cyril had worked for six years.  Cyril went on to serve in the Birmingham City Police from 1930 until his retirement from the force in 1959. Found with the papers were also wartime letters from and to people named 'Stu' 'Reg' 'Violet' 'Danny' and 'Ricky'  as well as a photograph of the above lady.

   If anyone can help us trace the Berry family or tell us who the mystery lady is Lorna would be very pleased to hear from you. 
 

  
         

Does anyone remember Oscar Best and Eleanor Lovatt BEST (nee Deuxberry) and their daughter Eleanor ? If so, please contact the webmaster as their grandson James would love to share your memories. James believes that they were residents of Jacksdale in 1917 and would love to know whereabouts they were lived.

Hi, any one there a BRUDENALL? with an 'a' or otherwise? Would appreciate anyone with information on SARAH ANN BRUDENALL, Ironville,c1880. Annette Shacklock. If you can help please contact the webmaster.

I am researching a family of Bakewells who lived in the Selston, Somercotes, Alfreton and Jacksdale area in the 19th and early part of the 20th century, and whose descendants still appear to be in the area..  In particular I am looking for descendants of Henry and Mary Bakewell who lived in  Selston in the 1940's, and whose children included Horace Bakewell of Sewell and Bakewell Joiners (Jacksdale).  I would love to meet any decendants as I do not know any of this part of my family.  Many thanks. - Amanda Blicq - September 2006 - If you can help please contact the webmaster.

 
I am looking for information on the Willmott family. My great grandfather was George J Willmott, was born in Cambridgeshire in 1874. He moved to Nottinghamshire, with his parents, before 1878, because of work we are told. All his brothers and sisters were born in the area. His parents were George Willmott and Mary Jeff of Cambridgeshire. George J married Annie Walker of Greasley and they had 11 children, 4 boys, George (killed in France, and on the Jacksdale War memorial) Wilfred (died of his wounds and buried in the churchyard, also on the memorial), Jack (but not sure if he was a John, but known as Jack) and Claude. The girls were Winifred, Annie (my grandmother known as Nance), Lillian, Beryl, Nora, Nellie and Maude (known as Madge). I only know the birth dates of Winifred, Wilfred, Annie and George, but very little about the others. George J, my great grandfather, had 3 brothers, James, John and William and 2 sisters, Martha and Elizabeth (Lizzie). I know something about William's family, but nothing about the others. Any help would be much appreciated. Lindsey Brown - September 2006 - f you can help please contact the webmaster.

Chris Evans is looking for Mary Holland born Selston sometime in the 1930's -  she worked at Hollingwell Golf Course at Kirkby in Ashfield in the 1950's with Chris's mother Leah Charles/Leivers who would love to get in touch with her again. August 2006 - If you can help please contact the webmaster.

 

My name is Shirley Taylor and I live in Australia. I am interested to find out if there are any relatives currently living in the Jacksdale area. MY Great Grandparents  are Thomas Dunn Frost and Elizabeth Wilson. They had 14 children. He died in 1921 and his last address was Jacksdale Road. His mother was Edith Dunn and his Father was William Frost. Any information appreciated. - May 2006  If you can help please contact the webmaster.

 

I understand that my father was born on Albert Avenue May1908. The family was a large one fourteen children in all but exactly how many lived in Jacksdale I am unsure of but possibly ten. James Spooner father of the family was an iron moulder and his wife was Sarah.  The family moved from Jacksdale to Colwick in Nottingham but I am uncertain as to when. If anybody could throw any light as to anything about the family I would be very grateful.  They would have had quite a number of children in school I would have thought. Thank you. Valerie Barlow.  Oct 2005.  If you can help please contact the webmaster.

Hi could you post this message for me on your web site please. My name is Sue Meakin & I am trying to trace any ancestors related to Frederick Hibbitt born around 1890 at Fenton, Stafford who moved to Ironville. His brother Albert also moved to Jacksdale around the same time with his wife Sarah Ann Hampton. They lived on York Avenue Jacksdale. I know some of their sisters also moved to the Riddings area. If any one has any information about these people or any old photos I  could borrow to copy would be appreciated. Thank you. -  Dec 2004 Susan Meakin

 

Hi, I'm researching my family tree and would like any information on the Wallis family. My great grandmother was Kate Wallis (b 1886 in Riddings) her father was Henry Wallis, (b c1859 in Codnor). He was living in Ironville at the time of his marriage to Hannah Chambers of Nottingham in 1882 and by the time of my great grans birth was living in Riddings. Pleas e-mail me on - Jan 2005  Julia.

My name is Andrew Lancashire and I am looking to trace my real father's mother . My father has now passed away and I am eager to trace his real mother who gave him up for adoption. The details of who I am trying to trace are Ida Ellen Rogers lives or lived in Ironville, Derbyshire -
my father was born 25th April 1947, Ironville. I would be very grateful for any information regarding to this - June 2005 .Andy Lancashire

Did your village, town or community once have its own brass band? I am carrying out research in the history of brass bands in local communities, and would like to ask if you know of any information about any such extinct bands in your area. The late 18th and early 19th centuries were the "golden age" for these bands numbering, it is said, up to 40,000 distinct bands at their peak. Many of these bands were associated with local industries, often being a "works" band. Others provided a musical focus for many small towns and villages in the days before the gramophone and the wireless. Today, in contrast, only some 1,500 or so are left active in the UK. Sadly many of the bands left little in the way of information about their existence, and what does exist is widely scattered with individuals, local archives and national collections. Part of my research is to identify these lost bands, to collect together material to provide a central database of information – containing a mixture of primary information as well as references to material held elsewhere (e.g. in local archives).Any information you can provide would be gratefully received. Whether actual information or pictures of any bands, or pointers to resources, or sources for further investigation. Even knowing that a particular band existed is significant! Currently much of the information I have collected is available online, as a freely available resource, at http://www.ibew.co.uk  - in various locations, for example, in the Reference section under "Extinct Bands" or "Vintage Pictures". - July 2005 Gavin Holman

hi a few years ago I was told there was an ice rink somewhere between Codnor and Jacksdale I'm talking pre war here anyway my friends father told us that when they were kids they found this so called ice rink or what was left of it they said there was a hole to crawl down and part of it was underground and you could get into it in a field near the gas station at the top of golden valley Ii myself and a couple of others went to investigate this we couldnt find any evidence of an ice rink but we did find a couple of what look like very very old large cisterns for holding water anyway my friends fathers swears its there somewhere so I was wondering if any of you knew of anything that could explain his claims... Aug 2005 Richard Atkinson

 My maternal Great Grandfather was born in Selston according to the 1881 Census. His name was William Frost and he was married to Emma Mary Frost. He was born in 1822 .  In 1881 he was in Codnor Park, Derby with his wife and family including his oldest child, my grandfather, who was 16yrs and who was also born in Selstone. The next child, a daughter, Aseneth was born in Ironville, Derby 4 years later (1869)  and the youngest, Sarah Elizabeth, born 1875 in Langley Mill, Nottingham. My name is Byron Winkle  and I live in Stafford.  I would love to hear from anyone who has any information on this branch of my family,  particularly family descendants. -July 2005 Byron Winkle

Hi, I was hoping that you could post a message on your website. I am trying to find any school photos [1930s] of my mother Norah GRAINGER and her sisters Betty and Josie who came from Brinsley.  I would be grateful for any information about them and their parents Frank and Charlotte Hilda. Thank you -  Val Hughes.   v_hughesuk2002@yahoo.com Message Posted 10/07/04.  

Vicki Ash I have recently begun my family tree and would like to contact anyone who has any knowledge of my great grandparents - William Henry HOUSLEY B 8/4/1862 and his wife Elizabeth Jane Saxton CHAMBERS b 12/6/1866 who lived in Underwood but prior to marriage came from Selston and Eastwood respectively. 
Any info would be helpful as I am very much at the beginning of my search. Thankyou. Vicki Ash (nee Housley)
Bridgend, South Wales.  Posted 26/02/04.

Sylvia RHODES (Nee CLARK)  Former resident of both Ironville and Westwood who now lives in Western Australia would be pleased to hear from old friends. Updated 26/02/04  If you wish to get in touch with Slyvia - please contact the webmaster.

Mavis Johnson who lives near Bath is researching all of the CUTTS families in the East Midlands.  She is compiling a 'one name study' into the surname on behalf of Jim Cutts of Rotherham.  Mavis is trying to link all of the CUTTS to one common ancestor - and to trace them forward as well.  On the Jacksdale website there is mention of a George Cutts and a William Cutts - if you are related or you have any information about the CUTTS  please let Mavis know, as any snippets of information can prove useful -  17/02/04

Jim Giles  Jim Giles who now lives in Plymouth would like to hear from anyone in the area who remembers the Giles family of Ironville.  Jim's father was Jack Rushby Giles who served as a Lancaster pilot during WW2 and was great friends with Lt Roy Timmins of Jacksdale.  Jim's grandfather Arthur Giles served during WW1 in the Royal Artillery.  Arthur's sisters married into the Lappage, Vernon, Blundell,  Bonsall and Judson families.  Jim's great grandfather was Thomas Giles an Iron Puddler at the Codnor Park Forge.  Click on Jim's name to get in touch. 25/01/04

Mike Rushby  a grazier in New South Wales, Australia, who as a boy was known as George Rushby from Selston Lane, Jacksdale,  would be happy to contact old friends from the War years. George and his sister Anne Rushby were the grand children of Kate Gregory - Simpson (nee Purdy) who ran the Three Tuns in Eastwood and later The Portland Arms, Jacksdale.  Click on Mike's name to get in touch. 25/01/04

Tom Wilkes  who lives in Florida, USA  is a descendent of Amelia Martin Green of Westwood.  Amelia died at the aged of 96 in 1947 and was Tom's great great aunt.  Tom has been researching the Wilkes family tree for three years now and has discovered this connection with the GREEN family of Westwood.  If you are a descendent of JOHN & AMELIA GREEN, please send Tom an email - he would love to hear from you. 18/01/04

Gordon Peter Purseglove  of 27 Fletcher's Row, Ironville  - Born May 1945, age 58,  ex-pupil of Ironville School and later of Frederick Gent's, South Normanton would love to hear from old acquaintances and friends - please get in touch if you remember Pete.

Elsie Rushton  is organising a REUNION at MATTHEW HOLLAND SCHOOL, Selston for anyone leaving before 1965.  This will be held on Friday 26th September 2003 at 7pm. There will be a charge of £5.00 to cover the costs of the room and the food and there will be a bar.  For more information or if you are interested in attending would you please RSVP to elsie.rushton@ntu.ac.uk.  Message Posted 09/03/03

Keith BENTON  was born in Jacksdale in 1937, went to school in the village and then on to Matthew Holland School at Selston. He did his time as a joiner with Minkley's of Brinsley by which time he had moved to Langley Mill.  Keith was a leader with the Scout Troop in Jacksdale for many years.  He would love to hear from any old friends who may remember him. Message posted 19/02/03.

Helen Kennell    is from Dudley, West Midlands and is tracing her family tree.  She is interested in any information on the HIGGS family who lived in Jacksdale and Westwood.  Their  names were Joseph and Minnie HIGGS and they had six children.  Harriett, Joseph, Gladys, Nora and twins May and Doris. Harriett was born in Tunstall (Stoke), Joseph was born in Westwood, and the twins and Gladys were born at 7 Stone Row, (Jacksdale Street).  Nora was born at 19 Queen St, Ironville.  Any help would be appreciated.  Message posted 19/02/03

Margaret Hampton  Margaret Hampton is researching the HEWES or HEWIS family who seem to have moved to the Selston area to work in the mines sometime in the 1830s.  She would be delighted to hear from any of the family still in the area or anyone else researching the same names. Message posted 19/02/03

Aileen Edge is interested in any information about J Horace BEERS who appears on the war memorial at Riddings.  He was the brother of her late grandfather - Alphonzo BEERS.  Aileen's mother was a BEERS before she married.  Aileen has just started this branch of her family tree and would love to hear about the family.  Any photos would be extremely welcome. Click on Aileen's name in underlined text to send her an email. Message Posted 19/02/03

Maureen Durham  is trying to trace her family tree. She is especially interested in the descendants of John DURHAM b. 1849 and Sarah Ann DURHAM (nee BARTLES) b. 1854  who lived at Pye Hill, Jacksdale from 1891 onwards. CLICK HERE   to find out more. Message Posted 09/02/03.

Dai Bevan  Dai is from the London area.  His mother's maiden name was GILBOURNE and she originated from Brinsley, moving to South Wales just after WW2.  Dai is interested in any information about the GILBOURNE line. He has also been conducting a 'one name' surname interest about the GILBOURNE's which you can find on his website.  http://home.clara.net/daibevan/ Message Posted 26/01/03.

Jill Shipman  Is tracing her family tree and would like to hear from anyone with an interest in the MURFITT family of Westwood. Her great-grandparents were Thomas & Emma MURFITT who lived in Westwood from about the 1870's to 1920's (approx).  They had seven daughters and one son. Please help Jill  with her research -   Message Posted 26/01/03  CLICK HERE to see a photo of a MURFITT FAMILY WEDDING IN WW2 - Can you help Jill identify anyone ?

Dave WILLIAMSON  Is researching the WILLIAMSON line in Selston and surrounding areas.  Please contact Dave by clicking on his name to send an email or to if you require any information on the WILLIAMSON line.  Message Posted 26/01/03

Ellen Stevenson  Who lives in Derby is very interested in any  information relating to the WAGSTAFF, TANSEY and CASTLEDINE families of Jacksdale/Westwood and surrounding area.  Ellen has already helped us with our project by providing us with photographs of FR Wagstaff, named on the Jacksdale War Memorial, who served in WWI.  Click on Ellen's name to contact her by email  Message posted 26/01/03

Mike DEUXBERRY  Was born in Sheffield and now lives in Australia.  He is researching the DEUXBERRY family tree and would welcome information about ANY Deuxberry connections.  A Carl DEUXBERRY who served during WW1 is listed on the Jacksdale War Memorial, and Mike thinks he may be a relative. CLICK HERE to read more.  Message posted 15/01/03.

Franz Von Werra Incident  Back in December 1940 a number of local people came in contact with Franz Von Werra, a German prisoner of war who had escaped from Swanwick P.O.W. Camp.  David Birch who is an historical lecturer, living in Nottingham is very interested to make contact with any relatives of the following persons.  Railwayman - Richard William HARRIS then of South Street, Riddings.  Railwayman -William ROBBINS then of  Greenhill Lane, Riddings. Police Superintendant PIKE, Constable Frank PEGG.  Constable Andrew HILL. (All of Alfreton Police Station). Please CLICK HERE to read more... Message Posted 15/01/03

Raymond WHITE  Raymond was born at Pye Hill in 1941 and lived on Tunnel Row. Raymond attended Jacksdale School and Matthew Holland, later working at Pye Hill Colliery until he was 18.  He would be very pleased to hear from anyone who remembers him or his family. Just click on Raymond's  name above to send an email to him.  Message Posted 05/01/03.

COCKAYNE  We are tracing our family tree and would be pleased to hear from anyone who has information about the Cockayne family of Belper. 05/01/03.

Dan ELLIOTT  Danny who now lives in Australia is a regular visitor to our site.  He grew up on 'Stone Row' also known as 'Jacksdale Street' with his grandparents named BRAMLEY.  Danny would love to hear from old friends.  To find out more CLICK HERE.  Please get in touch.  05/01/03

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