Midgley of Barnsley

Midgley of Barnsley and District Midgley

Historical Context
Berneslai in the Domesday Book [1086], originally Beorn's Leah [ley, Lei, Leigh]. Barnsley was a coal mining centre in South Yorkshire from the 1800's, many of the seams occurring near the surface which rendered extensive open-cut methods. Newhall at Ardsley to the S.E. was the seat of the Bosville [Boswell] family for many years, this family are the inheritors of Adam Fitzswein's lands, an Anglian-Danish landowner of the 1100's. There are the remains of a priory, Monk Bretton Brettone in 1086 [DB], Munkebretton 1225, formerly Lund at its founding in 1153 by Adam Fitzswein. To the west of the priory lies Cundy Cross, a place of sanctuary established by the monks of Lund. It was at Monk Bretton Priory a document was signed for Elizabeth de Staynton of Wolley Hall, to be admitted as a nun at the priory of Kirklees¹. This Elizabeth is believed by some to have become the prioress of Kirklees and as Hunter²and Walker¹ engage, took the life of the brigand "Robyn Hood".
In the late 1700's and 1800's Barnsley was an area offering urban employment for agrarian workers at a time of industrial development of Yorkshire.

*Phil Bedford's maternal grandmother was Sarah Jane Rollin b. 1864 d. 1897 who was nee Midgley, the daughter of Hannah Midgley b. 1845 d. 1872. Hannah was the daughter of William Midgley b. 1810 d. 1872. and Sarah Dinnis or Dennis. b. 1814. All lived in the Nelson Street area of of Barnsley.
Phil also has the Midgley name in his father's line. In 1764 Betty Midgley b. 1739 married Joseph Banks b. 1737 in Leeds. Betty was the daughter of Samuel Midgley b. 1711 and Sarah Lindley b. 1711 who married in Leeds in 1732. Samuel was the son of Samuel Midgley and Anne Brown married 1710 in Leeds.
Contact Phil Bedford

*Ed Midgley's grandfather Albert Edward was born in the mid 1870's at Barnsley. Later Albert migrated to Canada. See Midgley Emigrants to Canada
Below are Albert's family members from the 1881 census:

Dwelling: 35 Bridge St
Census Place: Barnsley, York, England
Source: FHL Film 1342111     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 4601    Folio 54    Page 9
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Thomas MIDGLEY M 39 M Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Engine Driver (Paper Mill)
Ann MIDGLEY M 36 F Stocksbridge Nr Sheffield, York, England
Rel: Wife
Mary Ann MIDGLEY   13 F Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Daur
Occ: Scholar
Arthur MIDGLEY   9 M Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Scholar
Albert# MIDGLEY   6 M Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Scholar
Ada MIDGLEY   2 F Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Daur
Sarah Ann MIDGLEY   6 m F Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Daur

Contact: Ed Midgley

*Paul Hesketh has links to the following family:

Dwelling: The Bush Inn Kingstone Place
Census Place: Barnsley, York, England
Source: FHL Film 1342111     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 4603    Folio 136    Page 52
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
James MIDGLEY M 53 M Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Innkeeper
Ann MIDGLEY M 53 F Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Wife
Frdk. MIDGLEY U 23 M Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Grocers Assistant
Walter MIDGLEY U 19 M Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Joiner (Journeyman)
Richard MIDGLEY   17 M Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Cabinet Makers Apprentice
Herbert MIDGLEY   15 M Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Printer Compositor Apprentice
Kate MIDGLEY   10 F Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Daur
Occ: Scholar
Jane MIDGLEY   16 F Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Servant
Occ: General Servt Domestic

Apparently te eldest son of James above was Edmund:

Dwelling: 118 Park Rd
Census Place: Barnsley, York, England
Source: FHL Film 1342111 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 4603 Folio 139 Page 58
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Edmund MIDGLEY M 25 M Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Beef Butcher
Sarah Ann MIDGLEY M 25 F Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Wife
John Jas. MIDGLEY 2 M Barnsley, York, England
Rel: Son

From the I.G.I: James Midgley christened 23rd Sept. 1827 at St. Mary, Barnsley, father James Midgley, Mother Jane. This may be the James b. 9th March 1827.

For the James Midgley Christening, the Wakefield Archives microfiche was very a poor copy of this record, so Paul was allowed to look at the original parish regster which was much clearer. From this it was noted that his parents were actually John & Jane. Paul has made a speculative Midgley family tree to be challenged, based on peoples occupations, location of homes, and hearsay. Whilst trying to unravel Edmund & Sarah Ann first cousin] marriage, Paul noticed that two of her potential brothers Thomas and Richard were working as Engine driver and stoker respectively at a paper mill. There used to be two paper mills within a mile of where they lived. This is an interesting spin-off and worth further investigation to find the engine and confirm which Paper Mill it was, probably "The Star Paper Mill", (formally the Old Mill) Old Mill Lane Barnsley or "Smithies Paper Mill". Two of them were Printer Compositors probably cousins working on the local newspaper printed nearby.
Paul also discovered that a Midgley [maiden name] is working in the Barnsley Library Archive who may be descended from William [b. 1810], innkeeper at the Gardener's Arms.

Paul now hypothesises that the Barnsley Midgleys' moved from the Halifax area aroud Midgley. The earliest Midgley that Paul has identified in Barnsley is Thomas, born around 1760. The Linen Industry in Barnsley lasted from 1744 to 1957, and as it developed the population began to grow; local bleachers encouraged cotton industry workers from Lancashire and Cheshire to settle in Barnsley. Experienced weavers from the Halifax area were probably encouraged to move as
well.
Paul also suggests a look at te BDM St. Catherine's Index for Barnsley from 1846-1902 from Rootsweb
Contact Paul Hesketh
Others of the Midgley name who were born in Barnsley² are:

MIDGLEY, John Head <1822> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Ann Wife <1828> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, James Head <1828> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Sarah Wife <1837> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Thomas Head <1838> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Geo. Head <1841> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Brampton Bierlow
MIDGLEY, Sarah A. Dau <1841> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Roystone
MIDGLEY, John Head <1842> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Thomas Head <1842> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Susannah Head <1845> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGELEY, Sarah Wife <1846> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Worsbrough
MIDGLEY, Harriet Wife <1846> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Brampton Bierlow
MIDGLEY, Isaac Head <1847> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGELEY, Hannah Wife <1848> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGELEY, John Head <1848> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Jane Wife <1849> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, John Head <1854> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Edmund Head <1856> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Sarah Ann Wife <1856> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, George H. Head <1857> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Ardsley
MIDGLEY, Priscilla Wife <1857> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Mexborough
MIDGLEY, Frdk. Son <1858> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Richard Son <1859> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, William SonL <1861> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Joseph Son <1862> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Lucy A. Dau <1862> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Walter Son <1862> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Sarah J. Dau <1863> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Lavinia Dau <1864> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Richard Son <1864> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Albert Son <1865> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Jane Serv <1865> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Herbert Son <1866> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Mary Elizth. Dau <1866> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Brampton Bierlow
MIDGLEY, Thomas Son <1866> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, James Son <1867> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Ada Dau <1868> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Brampton Bierlow
MIDGLEY, Mary Ann Dau <1868> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Walter Son <1868> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Lucy A. Dau <1869> Birth: York Blacker Hill Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, William A. Son <1870> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Kate Dau <1871> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Sarah Ann Dau <1871> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Willm. Son <1871> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Arthur Son <1872> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Annie Dau <1873> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Ernest Son <1873> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Hannah Dau <1873> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Brampton Bierlow
MIDGELEY, George Arthur Son <1874> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Francis Son <1874> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Sarah Dau <1874> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Albert Son <1875> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Jane Dau <1875> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGELEY, Alice Dau <1876> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Nocose Dau <1876> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Salina Dau <1876> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Brampton Bierlow
MIDGLEY, Harriet Dau <1877> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGELEY, Harry Son <1879> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Ada Dau <1879> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, John Jas. Son <1879> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Mary Dau <1879> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Arthur GSon <1880> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGLEY, Florence B. Dau <1880> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Ardsley
MIDGLEY, Joseph Son <1880> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Ardsley
MIDGLEY, Sarah Ann Dau <1880> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley
MIDGELEY, Maggie Dau <1881> Birth: York Barnsley
Census: York Barnsley

Rob Christopher reports that his English teacher at Holgate Grammar School, Barnsley in 1967 was Norman Midgley who he desribes as "one of the good guys".

Other locations in South Yorkshire:-

Kirk Smeaton:

John Midgley, shoemaker. 1822.

Royston⁵:

Children of Joshua Midgley [b. abt 9th Sept. 1804 Crigglestone/Sandal Magna, d. aft 1871] and Jane Rogerson all christened at Royston, South Yorkshire:-

George Ch. 8th June 1828

Joseph Ch. 25th April 1830

Eli Ch. 12th Feb 1833, d. 22 Feb 1898. Eli married Mary Lee of Balby, Yorkshire who led to a family in Victoria, Australia.

Thomas Ch. 10 Feb 1846

Sarah Ch.10th June 1838

William Ch. 2nd August 1840. He married Sara A.___________ of Barnsley.

Joshua's parents were Eli Midgley b. Crigglestone abt. 1771 and Mary Dobson b. Sandal Magna 1771. Eli b. 1833 married Mary Lee of Balby cum Hexthorpe, South Yorkshire, their son Thomas William Midgley b. 1864 at Swinton S. Yorks is described as:

1881 - Colliery labourer at 16 years old, 1891 - Blacksmith, 1898 - Wagon repairer, 1911 Labourer. He worked at the No. 1 Colliery Sheffield and later Swinton Colliery.

During WW 1 he also worked in a munitions factory. [Cammell Laird] Thomas William Midgley migrated with his wife Amelia Jane Moore Taylor and two younger children [Fred and Annie] to Australia in late 1919 on the Bultana, arriving Melbourne 2nd Feb 1920. After their arrival he and son Fred worked in a galvanising works.

A Gedcom file for this family can be found at http://midgleywebpages.com/midgedcom.html or directly downloaded as a zip file at http://midgleywebpages.com/midgcriggle.zip You will need Gedcom compliant family tree software to view it.

Further information can be found in the book In Search of the 'Lost' Shamrock, by Vaughan Duggan Ch. 3, 2010. Please contact: Vaughan Duggan regarding this publication and further information regarding this branch of the Midgley name.

Walter Midgley operatic singer, born 13th February 1913 Bramley nr. Rotherham , South Yorkshire, died 18th September 1980.

References/Sources:
1. Walker, J. W., The True History of Robin Hood, Wakefield, 1973.
2. Hunter, Joseph, The Ballad Hero: Robin Hood., London, 1852.
3. Census for England, 1881.
4. Jackson, Rowland. The History of the Town and Township of Barnsley. London, 1858

5. Duggan, Vaughan. In Search of the 'Lost' Shamrock, Ch. 3, 2010. Please contact: Vaughan Duggan regarding this publication.

Links:
Barnsley Family History Society
The Barnsley Chronicle
Kirkby's Inquest