Articles

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.

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.

An interesting article, by Julie Foster on the early days of the Wigan Infirmary and the contribution of these nurses and the lasting recognition they received.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

A very interesting and in-depth article by local historian Graham Taylor.

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