Welcome to The Briercliffe Society Forum

Whilst we were on our last holiday, our dinner companions each evening were two couples from California. They said they were quite envious of us because we knew our roots whereas they didn't - other than that they were European. They thought it gave us a sense of historical identity that they didn't have.

I found this quite amusing because the one thing my family tree did for me was to take away the identity I always thought I had.

I always thought of myself as a Manchester lass, born of through and through Manchester stock and raised there from the age of 10 days until I got married. Then I started on my tree and discovered that my Manchester-born father was thoroughbred Irish. My maternal grandmother and her forebears were from Derbyshire, my grandfather's family half Yorkshire, half Lancashire. And I've spent the last 30 years of my life living in Burnley. So now I'm not sure quite what I am.

So I'm quite envious of my husband whose tree is firmly rooted in one place - Briercliffe - for as far back as we can get.

On balance I think I'm Burnley. I've lived here over half my life, my children have been raised here, I support the mighty Clarets, and I've become quite immersed in Briercliffe history. But still I don't feel like I truly belong to any one place.

So who do you think you are?

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Maureen
If you can't fight, wear a big 'at

To be honest, I feel at home wherever I have ancestral roots. My mother is from deepest, darkest Tipperary, and my father's line are from anywhere and everywhere - Glasgow, Fife, Donegal, Liverpool, Yorkshire, Sussex. All of these places mean a lot to me (the ones I've visited, anyway!)

I never had a feeling of belonging/coming from Stoke but then my 1st real interest in tree started in high school so I discovered very early on that I am not really a Stokie.

Now I have researched to the extent that I have, and discovered origins in South Staffs, Ireland, Lancashire and Stoke, I am drawn more to Lancashire. I get a lovely comforting feeling when I get past Charnock services on the M6. The sight of Pendle Hill puts a smile on my face. I love being in both Briercliffe and Barrowford.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

I'm like a stick of rock with Burnley all the way through it, I live about 15 miles away from Burnley now, but my heart is in Burnley always will be, I go as often as I can and like Mel when I see Pendle Hill my heart lifts. My Dad's side are Burnley. Burnley and more Burnley, my Mum's side were Yorkshire and Durham, so I am proud of them roots too. Who do I think I am........a true Burnley lass.


Stephanie.

My dad's side, especially his dads all came from Briercliffe and go back to when Adam was a lad. I can go back as far on other lines but none are the same as the Briercliffe one---especially my Kippaxs, it's a feeling of belonging I think. When I used to ride all around those narrow lanes I felt I belonged--I know now why.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.