Barnes Family information
 

I recently got a copy of a letter from my mother that was written by her grandfather or my great great grandfather John Barnes. He was born in Accrington in 1843 and christened at Church Parish Kirk.

John wrote:
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"Father, George Barnes was a Mill Wright by trade and when I was born he ran Church Hall Foundary, but failed in business and died when I was three years old. My fathers folks were Bleachers at Whitebirk, near Backburn. My father lived at Whitebirk also his father and my great great father George Barnes. My great grandfather died at Whitebirk at the age of 96 and was buried at St. James Church Accrington. His stone is near the Church door and my father and mother on the other side of the Church. My great great grandfather had a brother, Joseph Barnes who lived at Church Parish owner of several coal mines and a land owner in Clayton Le Moors and owner of Print Works there.

My mother was Elizabeth Foster and lived near Oakeushaw Print Works. My father and mother were the first couple married at All Saints Church, Clayton Le Moors"
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From my research it appears the John emigrated to Rhode Island in 1893. He died in 1927.

I would love to find out if I still have any distant relatives that are in the Accrington area and if the stones mentioned are still at St James Church. Any other information that anyone may have about this Barnes family would be greatly appreciated

Mike

Re: Barnes Family information
 

this could well be why we have a barnes st
and a barnes square in clayton le moors :confused:

Re: Barnes Family information
 

There are 3 streets named Barnes St - in Accy, Church and Clayton

Re: Barnes Family information
 

none in ossy then

Re: Barnes Family information
 

no and they aint got a Gobbin Street neither.:D

Re: Barnes Family information
 

I bought my house from Mr Barnes who had the bleach works at Whitebirk. His mother lived here if I remember and he sold it to me after his mother died. From memory he was called Ken, (thats the son). If you wanted I could ask my neighbour for some information for you?

Re: Barnes Family information
 

Forceten,

Thank you so much for this information. I failed to mention in my original post that John had cousins that were still running the bleach works in Whitebirk after he emigrated to the US. I believe that there is a connection to the Barnes family that you bought the house from.

If it is not too much of a bother to ask your neighbour for any additional information I would very much appreciate it.

Mike

Re: Barnes Family information
 

Hi Mike

No problem at all. I bought my house 21 years ago, and I know it was from the Barnes man who ran the bleach works. Incidently that is not there now, it closed a number of years ago. It employed people from round this area.

My neighbour has been here alot longer than me, and knew Mrs Barnes. Over the weekend I will pop in and ask her for any information she has.

Re: Barnes Family information
 

Re: Barnes Family information
 

In the book 'Accrimngton@ Chronologiocal Notes & Men of Mark' by Criossley, publioshed in 1924, there are 25 Barnes' mentioned. I do not have the necessary skills to email you the pages. Many of them are related. For instance, a Barnes was the first occupant of Accrington cemetery after being the leading campaigner for its establishment in 1864.
None of the 25 appear to be the two you name. I suggest that yoiu make contact with the Lancashire Family History Society's Hyndburn branch. I think there will be a member who is one of your lot. In addition, Accrington Library may havbe a separate obituary reference for one or both. Also, look at website Lancashire Births,Marriages, Deaths.

Re: Barnes Family information
 

Hi
I've just been looking on ebay and came across a postcard of a shop fire in July 1910, the shop was called William's, Also another postcard is of the funeral of a Mrs.Barnes and Miss ?Norfan of Oswaldtwistle who both lost their lives in the fire. I do'nt know if this is the same family of Barnes, I thought it maybe of interest.
T

Re: Barnes Family information
 

Similar to these, there were 3 employees died in that fire, and a Miss M. Barnes age 40 (weaver) Albert St Oss, and Miss R Morgan (weaver) of Albert St Oss.
Retlaw.

Re: Barnes Family information
 

Hi
The 2 photos on ebay are different photos. I did'nt copy them because it might infringe copyright laws. I do'nt want to get anybody in bother.
T

Re: Barnes Family information
 

Just had a look at the site, I have most of the pictures advertised on there, I thought some one had nicked my picture collection.
42 quid for a photo of Williams fire, crikey moses.
John Kelly & me must be sitting on a fortune.
Retlaw.

Re: Barnes Family information
 

Re: Barnes Family information
 

The advice was intended for the original poster - miker5280.

Re: Barnes Family information
 

Ref Miker5280 and Barnes of Whitebirk Bleachers related contributors.
In conjunction with commencement of tracing ancestry beyond more recent generations, I came across, and registered with, this web site. I note that the most recent post is June 2011, so the trail may be a little cold, but if anyone related wishes to re-activate some dialogue and share in back research, then please post.
I am James.E.Barnes, son of Late James (Jimmy) Barnes, nephew of Late Richard (Dick) Grimshaw Barnes, and half cousin to Kenneth Barnes (son of Fred Barnes .... my late father's cousin. The Whitebirk Bleachworks was sold by the family in 1970/1971 period to Staflex International ( clothing interlining specialist), which subsequently went into administration approx 1978. Ken was involved in a buy-out, Pendle Dyeing Co, but my contact with the family, so far as any direct knowledge of the business, ceased when the works was sold in 1970/71. Of course, a number of names of employees from the1960s era are known to me .... many staff spent many years of their working life there, and it would be interesting to receive any response to this information in order to establish family links. The direct decendants of the Barnes family still live in the Blackburn and Preston area