MANCHESTER FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH HOME PAGE

YOU ARE ENTERING A DIFFERENT ZONE! This is not your ordinary run of the mill family history or genealogy site, this is different. Stop what you are doing and settle down for a good read, you might even want to put the kettle on and make yourself a drink before exploring these pages.  If you have an interest in Manchester in particular, and  its surrounding  area then this is the site for you. Bookmark this page, because you will want to come back and revisit this site. There is  too much information to take in at one go, you will need to come back, again and again. The information on these pages, although Manchester based, can apply to many areas of family research. In these pages you can see many examples of my work, so read on, enjoy and let me extend a  very warm welcome to my web site.

The majority of the material described can be viewed (from June 28th) at the new temporary home of Manchester Archives at Marshall Street, Manchester, the  present home of the Greater Manchester County Record Office. The two archives will be combined and operate as one unit. Other  Manchester material can be viewed (from 28th June) at the temporary City Library, Elliot House, Deansgate. Fuller details can be seen here. There are also lots of examples of archive material from Lancashire Record Office, Stockport Heritage Library and brief details from other repositories in the area. This site is a useful guide for anyone starting off their family history research.

If you are looking for a site with sophisticated graphics and images, then you may be disappointed. If you are looking for an experienced Researcher or Record Agent, then this is the place for you! I have  appeared on Manchester's local TV channel, Channel M and I also have  been featured  on   BBC Radio Manchester where I  discussed my work, my travels and my websites. Earlier in the year the site was reviewed on the prestigious  eogn.com web site which has added many new readers to this site. I have recently been asked to act as a consultant to a research project for a major London academic institution.

My name is Gerard Lodge and I am on the list of known researchers as compiled by the  Greater Manchester Archivists' Group, and also on the Lancashire Record Office List of Record Agents. March 2008 saw the publication in three local newspapers, including The Manchester Evening News, of  articles concerning my research of The Manchester Prison Records and in particular the discovery of the prison register entries for the Manchester Martyrs. I was also  interviewed again by BBC Radio Manchester about these findings.

As the title suggests this site deals with the research of the family history and other genealogical matters of Manchester and the surrounding areas. I can also research  topics relating to social and economic history or other aspects, such as the history of homes and buildings through the use of Trade Directories and possibly even discretely finding living people. I have also carried out research for legal purposes. As with all research it is impossible to guarantee success, but I can promise that my research will be methodical, thorough and exhaustive.  I can, if required, visit any record  repository. I can also offer a service whereby I can supply electronic images of certain parish records. For any other information or a quotation please use the go to the contact page. Prices are available on application. If so required, I can also supply copies of certificates and wills for overseas readers if they are having problems paying by sterling. This is possible because I  can accept payment via PayPal.

This site takes a slightly different look at how to search the various records other than Census returns. It explains the pitfalls of research and gives a breakdown of the court records, workhouse records and prison registers available at Manchester Archives. The recently discovered prison register collection is probably one of Manchester Archives and Local Studies' finest collections. I have made some very interesting discoveries of material that had not been listed in the original catalogue. Probably one of the most interesting finds was that of the entries in the New Bailey Prison Felony Register of "The Manchester Martyrs" and the other prisoners who were prosecuted for their attack on the prison van in September 1867 in Hyde Road.  Many people ask me why so many people were either baptised or married at the Collegiate and Parish Church of Manchester (later the Cathedral). You can find the answer here. The parish of Manchester Parish covered a vast area, much more than just the old township of Manchester.

This site is searchable page by page. Click on edit at the top left hand of your own computer screen, then click on Find , type in the word you wish to search for, and scroll down the page until you find the highlighted word.

This site was created in the latter part of February 2007 from the humble beginnings of using pre formed page templates. In June 2007 I was able to covert to my own page designs, and have added constantly to the contents of the site. Unique visitors  for June 2010 were 7,088 making a total of 1412,647 unique visits since this site first appeared. That is 41,209 unique visits this year alone. Thank you all for your interest and support. This site is now produced by  slightly different software and may experience some teething problems. Hopefully, when I get the hang of it, the site will have a different look. I had a massive problem recently, but have now managed to restore and alter some of the content, which I hope you will agree makes the site uniformed and easier to read.

I am compiling material about the felony registers that have survived from the later New Bailey  Prison Register and the early Strangeways Register. I am sure that it will contain details that have not previously been published...some examples can now be  seen on this site (see below). This work is still ongoing.

I am not adverse to plugging other sites or other things that they might be called in this modern world of 'tinternet that I think are at least a  worth a casual glance, one such being:

http://manchester-chronicle.blog.co.uk/

I have created a page to look at the ramifications of the relocation of Manchester Archives and the Greater Manchester County Record Office. That page will be updated on a constant basis. I have had some reaction from the authorities at Manchester Central Library to an email that I have sent them regarding the poor standard of equipment in the Microfilm Unit. The equipment will be replaced, but it seems it will only be done when they move back from Elliot House and Marshall Street. News of what is happening about the move to Elliot House and Marshall Street will be featured on the appropriate pages.

As we live in age where things are changing rapidly and the barriers to research are constantly being challenged by the use of such methods as The Freedom of Information Act, I have now created a new page to reflect on some of these changes. It will also give me a chance to occasionally pontificate about other matters and it will also provide a home for news of other updates to the site. For the time being I will leave the updates here until people have a chance to get used to the new page.

 Early in 2010 I was interviewed by award winning film maker Karen Gabay. She was in the process of making two films about Belle Vue and the ice cream families of Manchester. Now completed, these two short films are very interesting and entertaining with a splash of humour. I appear very briefly in both films.

WHAT OTHER FOLKS SAY ABOUT MFHR

YOUR FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE - January 2010.

This magazine recently published a four page feature on researching in Greater Manchester. In their opinion they named the top three Manchester websites for using as "useful portals for kicking off your family history on line": 1 Manchester City Council; 2 Virtual Manchester; 3 Manchester Family History. This is what they published:

Researcher and archivist (which I am not) Gerard Lodge has a splendid website at www.manchester-family-history-research.co.uk which contains many valuable sources and a great deal on topics from industrial schools to workhouses.

LANCSOPC - Really Useful Sources - I don't normally include professional researchers, as I have no way of knowing whether they give value for money. However, this one is worth checking out for the information about Manchester in his website. As he claims, it is certainly a good read.

STATE LIBRARY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA - This website is definitely worth visiting for anyone researching Manchester ancestors. It has a lot of detailed information about historical sources and events in the Manchester area and includes some transcriptions.

UKGDL - Manchester Family History Research: A wealth of information about Manchester including court details of the riots of 1868, Milbank prison records and more.

PINELLAS GENEALOGY SOCIETY - This is a website offered by Gerard Lodge. It has free information from Manchester, Lancashire, and beyond. Gerard says it has so much information that your might want to "stop what you are doing and settle down for a good read, you might even want to put the kettle on and make yourself a drink before exploring these pages." The website also got recognition from Dick Eastman in his online genealogy newsletter.

M&LFHS - Gerard Lodge's pages offer a variety of interesting sources including several listings relating to prison inmates and a useful summary of available workhouse records

This site currently has dozens of links from other organisations, repositories, family history societies and private individuals.

One thing I have realised recently is that you all do not see this site as it appears to me on my monitor. I use a wide screen monitor using not the most popular  browser, it you can check it out there.

This site is CONSTANTLY being updated. In order to keep track of these updates just click on the Google button . This will add this site to your Google home page or Google Reader. For a quotation or for any other information please contact MFHR by using the following link:

mail@manchester-family-history-research.co.uk

The very low value of the pound sterling makes my rates even better value than ever for overseas clients.

 NEWS OF LATEST UPDATES CAN BE SEEN HERE

Temporary Closure of Manchester Archives: Constant updates

1939 National Registration : Disclosure now  fee £42

 Workhouse Records: Update on Withington  Workhouse burials

 Manchester Coroners' Inquest Index Details (This an absolute gem that most people do not know exists...potential gold dust!!!)

 CONTACT MFHR AT:

mail@manchester-family-history-research.co.uk

The image shown above is by Mark Kennedy whose mosaics can be seen in many places around the City of Manchester. I took this image some time ago when this piece of work was on the outside of the building that was then known as Affleck's Palace. It is sadly no longer located there. Hopefully a new home will be found for it soon.