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The Kirton In Lindsey Society
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Family History Miscellany and More
Family History Miscellany, the title of Martin Hollingsworth’s talk in January gave an insight into his researches and sources of information
As well as his own personal family research, Martin has looked into some of the background of well known names in Kirton
He produced an interesting display of source material and also gave a list of websites and addresses for the audience to use if they want to carry out their own research
Carol Hird talked about her personal research and explained how she had tracked a great uncle’s grave in France who was killed in the 1st world war
Her daughter was able to find it on a visit to France and photographs brought back gave comfort to those with memories of him
“Church Bells and Dead Donkeys” was the mysterious title of the talk given for the “Dejardin” lecture by Sarah Taylor of Willoughton
The talk was based on her excellent and thorough research of the tradesmen, their families and village life
Willoughton, a village 5 miles south of Kirton, has not changed dramatically over hundreds of years
The records of trades date from 1661, although there is sparse information from the 17th and 18th centuries
Inventories and church warden’s bills give a brief glimpse of the work going on in the village
Later “day books” kept by tradesmen gave detail of the work done and the cost of such work
Saddlers, Beekeepers, Cobblers, Blacksmiths and agents for bicycle sales formed part of the wealth of work going on in even a small village
Sadly, as in most villages, these trades gradually disappeared - Residents now need to seek their work in nearby towns
Archaeology is one of the main stays of historical research and we were lucky to have a talk from Dr. Michael Jones, the City Archaeologist from Lincoln
He has worked in Lincoln since 1972 and is a great admirer of the city
It has the only surviving Roman gate in England still open to traffic. Lincoln in pre-Roman times was almost an estuary, with the rivers Till and Witham converging. The Brayford Pool is a natural lake and research work has found many flints dating back to the Mesolithic period
During the Roman period, Lincoln developed from a fort to a Collonia, (place for retired Legionaires) and developed into a thriving and important city during the 2nd century. By the end of the Roman rule it was a provincial capital, one of the four in Roman Britain
Many towns were abandoned after the collapse of the roman empire, but Lincoln became a mid-Saxon trading centre or “wic”. Its great importance continued long into mediaeval times with Henry II wearing the crown in Lincoln for Christmas 1157. He probably built a house here in the lower High St. which is now known as St. Mary’s Guildhall. This is a brief glimpse of the rich of information which can be garnered from objects dug out of the ground.
The Kirton In Lindsey Society
The Kirton-in-Lindsey Society was formed in 1987, is a registered charity and a member of the Civic Trust and the aims of the society are to advance the knowledge of the people in our area by the study and recording of local history, archaeology, industrial archaeology, topography, architecture, family history, dialect and local customs. We try to achieve this by:
(i) Holding public meetings and lectures, arranging tours, organising courses and conferences, publishing (or assisting in publishing) various guides, pamphlets and books about our local area.
(ii) Joining with other like-minded organisations in larger schemes.
(iii) Exploring and recording sites of archaeological and historical interest in conjunction with professionals.
(iv) Helping to safeguard such sites and any other material against destruction or dispersal, and encourage its availability for study.
(v) Securing the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in the area.
In recent years we have broadened further to encompass the natural environment and are currently acting more in the role of a civic society a development which will probably continue. We were accepted as members of the Civic Trust in 1996.
Our current membership stands at over 60; non-members are welcome to both regular meetings and special events.
Achievements - Over the past few years we have organised several large exhibitions in our town, the largest being on Kirton’s ‘Agriculture, Industry, Trade and Professions Past and Present’. This attracted over 400 people during the course of a weekend. ‘A Sheer Nostalgia Day’ was a trip back in time to the period between the 1920's and the 1960's. About 300 people came to this and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
In 1993 we held a very successful May Fayre at Mount Pleasant Windmill which many local Societies and craft people attended.
We have run several day schools on such subjects as ‘Edward Peacock the man and his family', ‘Lincolnshire Windmills’, and ‘A Small Market Town in North Lincolnshire'.
In 1994 we combined both day school and exhibition on the theme of ‘Maps and Map-making'. Although fewer people attended this event, those who did found it a fascinating experience.
1997/8 marked the first decade of the Society. Several events in our programme not only acknowledged our achievements, but also looked forward to the role of the Society in the future. The climax was a special presentation, written by members, held in the church and entitled ‘In Praise of Kirton in Lindsey’. Over 100 people attended this.
In Autumn 2003 we ran a very successful History of your House course, with much new information being discovered about some of our older houses.
Publications - Our publishing scheme provides us with a lasting record of the Society’s work and ranges from photographic histories to a town map, to an in-depth study of the church. All have been produced by past and present members who have been prepared to put in hours of research work to produce something of quality and integrity. We are always looking for new ideas, new subjects, and new people to write for us! A List of Publications and any other required information can be provided by the following contacts:
Chair: Mary Hollingsworth, 20 Grove Street, Kirton in Lindsey, N. Lincs. DN21 4BY Tel.01652 648435
E-mail: m.hollingsworth@dsl.pipex.com
Secretary: Martin Hollingsworth, as above.
Treasurer: Chris Hopkinson, March House, March Street, Kirton in Lindsey
“Men of Iron”
A talk on industrial archaeology may sound a little daunting, but the reality was completely different.
Neil Wright gave us a picture of Lincolnshire with which most of us are completely unfamiliar.
Because of its agricultural background, Lincolnshire was the breeding ground for many of the industrial innovations of the 19th and early 20th century. The industrial character of the big towns of Lincoln, Grantham, Boston and Gainsborough carried on until the late part of the 20th century and can still be seen today. Industrialization of farming processes such as threshing using steam engines brought great fame to Lincoln in the 19th century.
Eventually, these were replaced by combined harvesters. In the 1870s steam engines were replaced by traction engines made by Hornsby and examples were found all over Europe and the commonwealth countries.
Only America used a different manufacturer. By World War I, 610 industrial firms, small and large, were to be found in Lincolnshire.
Improvement of windmills was another means of mechanisation and William Tuxford designed the eight sailed windmill.
A lot of the designs were made in small firms for individual needs, not mass production. This sadly led to the demise of most as they couldn’t compete against the bigger companies who could reduce costs by making many items. Marshalls in Gainsborough was founded in 1848 making boilers for industry and the RAF, agricultural machinery and machinery for road building and maintenance were the mainstay of Marshall's up to its closure. In fact one tea processing machine was still working on an island in the Azores up till last year.
Tanks were built in Lincoln during the WWI and as you drive down Tritton Way you are retracing the steps of the tank trials.
The original caterpillar tracks had been designed in Lincolnshire, but because of lack of interest the patent was sold to America. The right to use the tracks had to be bought back, when tanks were being developed.
Now where have we heard that story before?
Altogether this created an incredible picture of a county, not rural and peaceful, but with hundreds of large and small workshops creating machinery and wealth.
PROGRAMME:JANUARY - AUGUST 2010
TUESDAY 22nd JUNE - ‘GOLD, GOD AND BATTLES’
The Staffordshire Hoard in context with Dr Kevin Leahy
JULY and AUGUST - Outings to be arranged
NOTE- Unless otherwise stated all meetings commence at 7.30p.m. in The Baptist Church Hall, St Andrew’s Street, Kirton in Lindsey. Entrance Fee is normally 50p including refreshments for members and £2 for non-members except for special meetings
The Kirton in Lindsey Society welcomes anyone with an interest in the North Lindsey area: it's history and environment. Meetings, outings and social activities are arranged throughout the year. For further information please contact Martin Hollingsworth on 01652 648435 or m.hollingsworth@dsl.pipex.com
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