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County Library and Information Service
EastLancashire.
Market Square
Colne
Lancs
BB8 0AP
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Tel: 01282 871155
Fax:01282 865227
Monday
9:30 - 19:00
Tuesday
9:30 - 12:00
Wednesday
9:30 - 19:00
Thursday
9:30 - 17:00
Friday
9:30 - 17:00
Saturday
9:30 - 16:00
4. Scope and arrangement of the collection
The collection relates specifically to the former area of Pendle District, with emphasis on the eastern half of the area: Colne, Foulridge and Trawden.
The collection comprises books, pamphlets, photographs, negatives, slides, cuttings, manuscripts, microfilms, newspapers, films, cassettes, records, maps, plans and paintings. Items are not normally loaned, but a few titles are available in the lending library or may be obtained through the inter-library loan service.
Material is arranged by the Lancashire Library Local Studies Classification Scheme.
5. Catalogues and bibliographies
The Local Studies catalogue is available as part of the Lancashire County Library and Information Service’s online Talis Catalogue .
Colne and its Times: an index to the local newspaper, 1874 – present day.
THISTLETHWAITE, Roy. Photographic source material for Pendle District: a catalogue. Lancashire Library, Pendle District, 1981
WIGHTMAN, Peter. The wills of Colne and district, 1545 - 1830: an index. Colne Borough Library, 1973.
Full directories or photocopied sections of the parts relating to the eastern area of Pendle District are available from 1814 onwards.
Directories can be found on the Library’s online catalogue .
A "Register of electors for the parliamentary division of North West Lancashire, Colne polling district 1869" is the earliest in stock. Not until 1964 onwards is a complete file held for Colne.
Early tax returns for Colne, 1523 - 1673. The main collection of rate books for the county is held at the Lancashire Record Office .
9. Census enumerators' returns
Returns for the years 1841 – 1901 are held for Colne and surrounding areas; surname indexes are available for all years except 1901. Place-name indexes are held for 1841, 1851, 1881, 1891 and 1901.
The parish church of St Bartholomew’s Colne in 1599 covered the greater part of the area that is now Pendle District. All the registers are available on microfilm/microfiche from 1599 – 1900. The following registers have been printed with surname indexes:
1599 - 1812 Baptisms and burials.
1599 - 1837 Marriages.
All the registers are available on microfiches/films from 1599 - 1900.
Colne Christ Church Baptisms 1836 - 1900
Banns 1839 - 1900
Marriages 1839 - 1900
Burials 1836 - 1900
Colne Holy Trinity Christenings 1892 - 1900
Trawden St Mary's Christenings 1846 - 1900
Marriages 1846 - 1900
Burials 1846 - 1900
Haggate Baptists Births 1762 - 1820.
Gisburn St. Mary's Baptisms, banns, marriages and burials 1558 -1900. Churchwardens accounts 1774 - 1895
Church accounts 1860 - 1890
Barnoldswick St. Mary le Ghyll. Index to parish registers 1766 - 1886.
Salterforth and Barnoldswick Chapels & Dissenters Births, Baptisms and burials.
LANCASHIRE PARISH REGISTER SOCIETY. Volumes currently purchased on publication.
YORKSHIRE PARISH REGISTER SOCIETY series
Bentham 1666 - 1812
Bolton-by-Bowland 1558 - 1812
Giggleswick 1558 - 1769
Halifax 1538 - 1593
Heptonstall 1593 - 1660
Keighley 1649 - 1688
Kildwick in Craven 1575 - 1771
Linton in Craven 1562 - 1812
Waddington 1599 - 1812.
International Genealogical Index for the United Kingdom, 1988 available on microfiches. Alphabetical list by surname within each county.
The following are also held on microfilm and in printed form:
Colne Independent Chapel, Dockray Square Baptisms 1810 - 1837
Colne Baptist Chapel Births 1778 - 1836
Colne Inghamites, Colne Lane Burial certificates 1837 - 1875
Colne Inghamites, Winewall Births and baptisms 1753 - 1837
Colne Wesley Chapel, Church Street Births and baptisms 1788 - 1837
Trawden, Wesley Chapel Births and baptisms 1819 - 1837
Wheatley Lane Methodist Chapel Births 1823 - 1837
Records for a further fifteen local churches are also held. For details see A Catalogue of parish registers, indexes and monumental inscriptions held in Pendle, 1992.
The main collection of parish records for the county is held at the Lancashire Record Office .
The Bellman 1908 - 1917. (Incomplete run). Hardcopy. Not indexed or microfilmed.
Colne Miscellany 1854 - 1857. Hardcopy. Indexed – chronological, loose-leaf. Also microfilmed.
Colne Observer 1899 - 1903. Hardcopy. Indexed on computer. Also microfilmed.
Colne Times 1875 – to date. Microfilmed. Also hardcopy for 1875 – 1974 (not complete). Indexed in Colne and its Times: an index to the local newspaper, 1874 - 1973, by Peter WIGHTMAN, 1974. Chronological/subject index 1974 – 1987, on cards/loose-leaf. Index on computer 1988 – to date.
Gentle Reminder 1928, 1930 - 1942, 1973 - 1974. Indexed. Microfilmed.
A few single copies are held of the Colne & Nelson Guardian, and the Colne & Nelson Pioneer . A cuttings file of relevant articles from the Evening Star has been maintained since 1974.
A cuttings file of relevant articles from the Evening Star (later the Lancashire Evening Telegraph) has been maintained since 1974.
An index to holdings of North West newspapers is available on the (External) Museums, Libraries and Archives website .
Lancashire Lantern includes an index to stories from local newspapers covering several areas of the county.
BRONTE SOCIETY. Transactions , Vol. 1- , 1895 -
CHETHAM SOCIETY. Remains....., Vol. 1- , 1844 - new series and 3 rd series incomplete.
HISTORIC SOCIETY OF LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE. Proceedings, 1946 - Some earlier volumes held, 1856 -
LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. Transactions, Vol. 1- , 1883 -
RECORD SOCIETY OF LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE. Publications, Vol. 11- , 1975 - . Some earlier volumes held 1882 -
Archaeology group bulletin, Cartwright Memorial Hall Museum (Bradford) , Vol. 1-12, 1957 - 1967. Some articles on Pendle area.
COLNE. Grammar School. Magazine , Nos. 1 - 33, 1928 - 1967.
Lancashire naturalist, 1907/08 - 1925. Incomplete file.
Local population studies , No. 1 - , Autumn 1968 -
Northern history, Vol. 1 - , 1966 -
Northwestern naturalist, Vol. 1 - 18, 1926 - 1943.
Oilseal Journal (Pioneer Oilsealing & Moulding Co. Ltd.), 1955 - 1962. (Firm operated from Pendle District).
Rambler, Vol. 1 - 2, 1905 - 1906.
Record (LANCASHIRE AUTHORS' ASSOCIATION), No 165- , 1954 -
Vintage and thoroughbred car , Vol. 1-4, 1953 - 1956. (Published in Colne).
The Wheatsheaf (later Co-operative Home Magazine ), Vol. 1- , 1872 - . Indexes available.
In addition the following church magazines are held:
Albert Road Methodist Church, Colne. Newsletter, No. 1, September, 1952 -
Christ Church, Colne. Magazine , Vol. 52- , 1948 - . Some earlier parts held, 1926 - Holy Trinity Church, Colne. Magazine, 1954 - . Some earlier parts held, 1897 - Independent Methodist magazine, Vol. 91, 1957 -
Parish Church, Colne. Magazine, 1954 - . Some earlier parts held, 1897 -
Parish Church, Foulridge. Magazine, 1918 - 1942.
The collection includes land use survey maps, geological survey maps, photocopies of tithe awards, plans of houses, farms, mills, estates, churches, shops, public houses, etc.
The majority of Ordnance Survey maps for the eastern area of Pendle are held dating from 1848.
Colne Council Building Applications 1877 – 1948
Trawden Council Building Applications.
Original applications held at the Lancashire Record Office .
14. Council minutes and minutes of official bodies
AMALGAMATED ASSOC. OF BEAMERS, TWISTERS & DRAWERS. Colne Branch. Committee minutes, 1926 - 1947.
AMALGAMATED ASSOC. OF BEAMERS, TWISTERS & DRAWERS, Earby & Barnoldswick Branch. Minutes, 1905 - 1954.
BURNLEY & DISTRICT HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. Annual report, 1954 - 1970.
BURNLEY, COLNE & NELSON JOINT TRANSPORT COMMITTEE. Annual reports, 1958 -
BURNLEY, COLNE & NELSON JOINT TRANSPORT CO. Minutes, 1958 -
COLNE. Albert Road Wesleyans. School minutes, 1864 - 1877. Microfilm.
COLNE. Albert Road Wesleyans. Trustees minutes, 1815 - 1837, 1852 - 1891. Microfilm.
COLNE. Borough Council. Minutes , 1895 - 1974.
COLNE. Borough Council. Welfare Fund minutes , 1954 - 1970.
COLNE. Catholic School Board. Minutes, 1897 - 1903.
COLNE. Children's Trip Committee. Minutes, 1922 - 1945.
COLNE. Churchwardens' minute book , 1818 - 1832, 1834 - 1900.
COLNE. Medical Officer of Health. Annual reports, 1896 - 1972.
COLNE. Methodist Circuit. Minutes of local preachers' meetings, 1822 - 1862. Microfilm.
COLNE. Methodist circuit. Minutes of quarterly meetings, 1863 - 1883. Microfilm.
COLNE. Overseers of the Poor, Accounts , 1767 - 1787.
COLNE. Ratepayers & vestry meeting. Minutes , 1792 - 1796.
COLNE. St. Andrew's Golf Club. Minute book, 1911 - 1921, 1934 - 1947.
COLNE. School Board. Minutes book, 1897 - 1903.
COLNE. Surveyors. Accounts, 1767 - 1827.
COLNE. Surveyors. Minute book , 1850 - 1876.
COLNE. Urban District Council. Minutes, 1893 - 1895.
COLNE. Vestry minutes, 1815 - 1822, 1835 - 1880. The acts, orders, & proceedings of the Inspectors for lighting the town of Colne, 1839 - 1861.
COLNE. War Savings Committee. Minute book, 1918 - 1958.
COLNE. Water Department. Annual reports, 1928 - 1959.
COLNE. Youth Centre. Minutes, 1971 -
COLNE & DISTRICT ROOM & POWER OWNERS ASSOC. Minute book 1900 - 1960.
COLNE LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. Minutes, 1898 - 1957.
COLNE LOCAL BOARD. Minute book of evening continuation classes, 1894 - 1902.
COLNE LOCAL BOARD. Technical Instruction Committee. Minutes 1891 - 1895.
COLNE, NELSON & DISTRICT 624 STARR BOWKETT BUILDING SOCIETY. Minute book, 1883 - 1907.
COLNE REFORM CLUB. Minutes, 1942 - 1953.
COLNE VETERANS CLUB. Minute book, 1942 - 1955.
COLNE WATERWORKS COMPANY. Minute book , 1850 - 1881.
CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. Minute books for Colne, Earby, Salterforth, Trawden, Winewall. 1882 - 1964. 60 vol.
FRIENDS OF WYCOLLER. Minutes , 1949 - 1957.
LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. Medical Officer of Health. Reports, 1948- 1972.
LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. Medical Officer of Health, Division 6. Reports, 1948 - 1972.
LANCASHIRE RECORD OFFICE. Reports, 1959 - .
LANCASHIRE RIVER AUTHORITY. Annual reports, 1964 - 1974.
NATIONAL REFORM LEAGUE. Colne branch. Minutes, 1866 - 1867.
NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY. Annual reports, 1974/75 -
PENDLE, District Council. Minutes, 1973 - 1987.
WINEWALL MECHANICS INSTITUTE. Minutes, 1903 - 1946.
The Local Studies collection holds around 8000 items of photographic material of people, places and events both past and present. Copies of illustrations not in copyright can be supplied by arrangement, for a small charge. For details see the following catalogue:
THISTLETHWAITE, Roy. Photographic source material for Pendle District: a catalogue. Lancashire Library, Pendle District. 1981.
42 framed paintings, etc., of Colne & District are held.
Copies of most illustrations not in copyright can be supplied by arrangement.
The following videos are held, viewing can be arranged by prior appointment:
Lancashire Pride. Video of the development of the textile industry from about 1840 - 1860. Made by Smith & Nephew. (Original is held at the North West Film Archive.)
Royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1913. B/W. c.15 mins.
The Library is currently developing an online database of photographs from the county’s various library collections; this is available as part of Lancashire Lantern .
16. Sound and video recordings
Cassettes:
6 recordings of John Harrison records, 1903 - 1920; 1 of local Pendle poetry; 1 Colne Orpheus Glee Union; 2 of Fred Halstead's slide lecture of Colne; 3 on the history of Foulridge by Thomas Robinson; 2 by Wilfred M. Spencer; 1 of James Rook's story of the Pendle Witches (suitable for children).
Discs:
8 discs of the Colne Orpheus Glee Union; 1 Sunday Half Hour: massed choir singing from Colne; 3 William Heseltine, tenor; 19 of John Harrison; 1 Lascelles (Hymn Tune; composed Francis Duckworth) played by Besses O' Th' Barn Band.
The library holds a few indentures, 1570 - 1819. The main repository of archives for the county is held at the Lancashire Record Office .
(External) Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society, Pendle and Burnley Branch .
The collections, which is held in the Local Studies library, consists of books, pamphlets, microfiche and CD-ROMs and covers all aspects of family history. The area covered includes Pendle, Burnley and parts of Yorkshire. Most of the material is indexed and access is allowed to non-members. The society meets at Colne library every third Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. Lectures and workshop evenings on all aspects of genealogy are held, to which non-members are welcome.
Doreen Crowther Pedigrees and Property Deeds
This collection was donated to the Local Studies library by the family of the late Doreen Crowther, an eminent family and local historian. The collection consists of pedigrees of some 500 local Pendle family names. In 1967 Donald Short, Clerk to Nelson Council, asked Mrs Crowther to examine the Urban District Council deeds that had been damaged by floods in that year. Her digest became a working index to them; it was added to between the years 1972 – 1986 covering the deeds of Pendle. It is in an alphabetical format, cross-referenced by deed number. The deeds have been added to using additional information from other sources such as census returns, local newspapers, parish registers, etc.
Dalby Collection
This collection was donated to the Local Studies library by the family of the late Alan and Nellie Dalby who were both eminent local historians on the history of Colne, especially the Waterside area. The collection consists of books, photographs, maps, pamphlets and posters. An index to the material is available.
See Section 5. Also:
Colne annals 1. An index to local histories, by Farida MUMTAZ, Lancashire Library, Pendle District, 1982.
Colne annals 2. A Further index to local histories, by Christine BRADLEY, 1991 (manuscript).
North East Lancashire pedigrees originating in the office of Caleb Howarth, 1796 - 1879.
Index to Probate Records 1853 – 1943. Hardcopy.
Two microfilm readers.
Three microfiche readers.
One microfilm/fiche reader/printer.
Photocopier.
TV and video.
18 computers with free access to the Internet, CDR facility and scanner.
It is advisable to book a film or fiche machine for research purposes before arrival.
21. Books recommended for introductory reading
BANNISTER, Fred. Annals of Trawden Forest. 1922.
BENTLEY, John. Portrait of Wycoller. Nelson Local History Society, 1975.
CARR, James. Annals of Colne. 1878.
CRAMBIE, Geoffrey. A Colne festival . [Author], 1978.
CRAMBIE, Geoffrey. A Colne jubilee. [Author], 1977.
CRYER, Margaret. Memories of Colne. 1910.
FOLLEY, Ebenezer W. Romantic Wycoller. [Author], 1949.
GREENWOOD, Jack. A Trawdener's view. Burnley: Tomer and Earnshaw, 1987.
HARRISON, Dorothy. The History of Colne. Pendle Heritage Centre, 1989.
OLDLAND, Fay. The Story of Foulridge. Pendle Heritage Centre, 1990.
SPENCER, Wilfred M. Another look at Colne. Colne Register Transcriptions, 1972 . SPENCER, Wilfred M. Colne as it was . Hendon Publishing Co. 1971.
VICTORIA history of the county of Lancaster . Vol. 6. pp 522 - 552. Constable, 1911. WIGHTMAN, Peter. Bonnie Colne. Hendon Publishing Co., 1975.
WIGHTMAN, Peter. Colne in old picture postcards. European Library, 1983.
WIGHTMAN, Peter. Pennine Panorama. Gerrard, 1969.
22. Other Family History Sources
Colne Heritage Centre
The Centre is located on the first floor in Colne Library and was opened in April 1996. It features items of interest associated with the ancient market town of Colne. As well as permanent displays which include the town’s unique wheeled stocks, changing exhibitions are mounted on a regular basis.
All our libraries provide free access to the Ancestry website which gives access to Census Records for England, Wales and Scotland 1841-1901) and indexes to Births, Deaths and Marriages for England and Wales (1837-2005).
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