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I have a query. My ancestor inherited a share in a property in Heptonstall in 1832. I have recently viewed the Heptonstall electoral register and although he lived in Barrowford, he qualified to be on the register due to his share of the property. He died in 1871 but continued to appear on the electoral register until 1883, in the first column where the would usually be an entry number, it said 'skip'.
On his death, the son inherited the property share. He also appeared in the register for a few years after his death in 1878 though I think the last year he appeared was 1882 and there was no 'skip' at the start of his entry.

Does anyone know why they would continue to be in the register? And why would it suddenly stop in 1883? Sale of the property perhaps?

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Mel

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I contacted Wakefield archives with this query. This was their response

I can only presume that Henry and Thomas were not removed from the electoral registers after death. The Barrowford address in the register means that this entry must be the correct Henry Sutcliffe but, for some reason, the authorities had not been informed of his death in order to remove him from the register. As he lived so far away it is possible that the tenants at that address never knew of his passing. You would presume, then, that in 1883 the property in Heptonstall finally changed hands and electoral services were informed.



I believe that ‘Skip’ is unrelated to the fact that Henry was still present on the electoral registers after his death. On the registers for this period there is no key or explanation of the abbreviation or the ‘*’ next to Henry Sutcliffe’s name. However, other names have ‘Brad’ and ‘Hal’ next to them, suggesting that ‘Skip’ alludes to Skipton, ‘Brad’ to Bradford and so on. I looked at a later register to see if there was any explanation for the asterisk. In that particular register the ‘*’ denoted that that person was not entitled to a vote in Parochial elections (i.e. Parish Council elections). Given that Barrowford is just 14 miles from Skipton, and Henry Sutcliffe’s abode was not in Heptonstall it makes sense that he was not entitled to a Parochial vote.

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Mel

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Could it be something to do with the will being finalised??

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.