A collection of historical articles, and reminiscences of Wigan

A Letter from the Past

A Letter from the Past

A 1942 letter from James Parkinson to his sons on reaching 70 years of age, and recalls the hardships and experiences of growing up in Victorian Wigan. By Graham Taylor.

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The War Diary of Rifleman William Walls of Abram

The War Diary of Rifleman William Walls of Abram

The WW1 diary of William Walls by Graham Taylor, with thanks to Wigan Archives volunteer, Susan Berry, for transcribing the diaries. A great effort to bring the vivid and personal "down to earth" experiences of war. The diaries were donated to the Archives by David and Joyce, the children of William Walls's youngest son Arthur Walls.

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Julia Bracewell Folkard - Artist of the "lost" paintings

Julia Bracewell Folkard - Artist of the "lost" paintings

An interesting article by Julie Foster on painter Julia Bracewell Tennyson, sister of Henry Tennyson Folkard first Librarian of the Wigan Free Public Library.

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The Tragedy at Winstanley

The Tragedy at Winstanley

A true story of intrigue and mysterious deaths on the Winstanley Estate in the 1880's by Thomas McGrath

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History of the Market Hotel

History of the Market Hotel

A comprehensive history of the hotel, from 1875 to the present day ... and some "personal memories" by Dylan Harris, local historian

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The True Story of a Pit Shaft

The True Story of a Pit Shaft

An account of the sinking of the New Venture Pit and the events surrounding the the flooding of the mine as told by James Bradshaw the engine winder in 1913.

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The History & Memories of Wigan Little Theatre

The History & Memories of Wigan Little Theatre

A Zoom presentation by member, Ron Hunt, to the group in Feb 2021

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St. John's School, Dicconson Street.

St. John's School, Dicconson Street.

Brief History of the "lost" St. John's School, the architect and his surprising invention.

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Margery Booth

Margery Booth

Margery Booth - "The Operatic Spy" Very interesting research on the life and times of Margery Booth, the Wigan born opera singer and the circumstances leading to her role as a spy during WW11. By Graham Taylor.

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Swinley and the  Wigan Land & Building Company

Swinley and the Wigan Land & Building Company

The development of the Swinley area in the 1870's.

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21, Upper Dicconson & Lord Leverhulme

21, Upper Dicconson & Lord Leverhulme

Discover the reason why William Hesketh Lever, later Lord Leverhulme lived in Upper Dicconson Street, from 1877 to 1884

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Directory - Ince Streets & families.....what year?

Directory - Ince Streets & families.....what year?

Looking to find which year the Directory was printed? Find the Ince Streets and families.

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