Our Families. Following the success of our exhibition in Rawtenstall Library. It has been suggested that the January workshop should be devoted to examples of the work which members have been undertaking. We would like you to bring your charts and your indexes or other examples of your research work. It will be particularly interesting to see the different methods which members have chosen to display their work. When we had the Roadshow at Rawtenstall several members were surprised to find that they had family links. For this reason I would like you all to fill in the attached chart so that they can be displayed round the room.

Projects. Tony Foster of the Bury Group has been appointed overall Projects Co-ordinator for the Society. He will be liaising with Michael in the near future.

Michael Hiluta has now started work on indexing Rawtenstall cemetery records and Winifred Belcher has commenced indexing Bacup records.

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL 2 December 1998

quizzes -games -competitions -refreshments £1-50.

Tickets are available on sale tonight. If you have any bright ideas

for the entertainment or if you would like to contribute to the feast

please contact Kathleen Ashburner 

Coming Events. Talks, Conferences, Exhibitions.

Saturday 24 April 1999. Computers in Family History Conference. The Society of Genealogists and the Manchester & Lancashire Society will be hosting a one day conference in the Chapman Building of the University of Salford.

Saturday 1 May 1999 Society of Genealogists. Annual Fair, London. The Chorley Group are planning to hire a coach for the day. It will cost about £20 leaving from Chorley at 6-00 am. Anyone wishing to join this expedition should contact Rita Platt within the next few days.

Miners in Lancashire. For many years Beth Hampson has been compiling a list of miners in Lancashire. These are held on 5 X 3 cards. As she now has other commitments she would like to find a good home for this work. You can contact Beth at Top o’th Vale, 2 Vale Road Shaw Oldham OL2 8JE

Soldiers Died in the Great War. A complete relational database of all 665,000 soldiers and 37,000 officers who died in the Great War is now available on CD-ROM. It was originally published in eighty one volumes in 1921. It has recently been purchased by our Lancaster Group at a cost of £150 plus VAT. For more information regarding research facilities contact Peter Joslin 11 Marine Court, Sandylands Promenade, Morecambe LA3 1DN 

The Coconutters. I am now satisfied that the story regarding the Cornish miners bringing the dance to Whitworth cannot be substantiated. There is a long dissertation in Rawtenstall library where the author has explored the origins of the blackfaced dancers in Lancashire and there is apparently no trace of any Cornish presence in Rossendale before the 1870s.

Ancestry: the Celebration Rose is to be launched at Hampton Court Flower Show in July 1999. Reserve yours now. I have some order forms. The patio rose has a beautiful deep carmine colour with a noticeably fragrant scent. The bush will grow to approximately 18" tall with a spread of about 12". It is perfect for planting in pots or containers, although it will be equally at home in a mixed border bed. The Ancestry rose has been introduced to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Federation of Family History Societies. The bushes cost £6-95 or 3 roses at £18-95

Society Membership. It has been suggested that a Life Membership Subscription should be available at a possible cost of around £150. I have been asked to find out what the reactions of this group are to the proposal. If a majority think it is a good idea it may then be discussed at the next AGM.