Welcome to The Briercliffe Society Forum

I'm a BATHER and have several ancestors who lived and died in Briercliffe.

James BATHER b.1859 d.1939, married Louisa MAWSON then Mary BRIERLEY.
James & Louisa had children:
Alfred b.1882, married Lily WEST in 1904
Alice b.1886
Mawson b.1888 d.1906
Walter b.1894, married Florrie BIRLEY in 1922
Harry b.1896

Then James & Mary had:
Mary Elizabeth b.1901 d.1982, married Willie JONES in 1922

I'd love to hear from anyone who has connections or more information.
best regards
Rob in Mexico

Hello,
So glad you're on board!
Perhaps you have noticed that there are photos in the archive on this website of Jack and Jimmy Bather. They were friends of my father when they were lads. My dad, now aged 91, remembers them well....
This is a good and friendly site.......you'll be amazed at how helpful folk are!
Susan (Halstead) Kerr
Canada

Hi Sue
Thanks for the replies.
Could you ask your dad if he remembers the names of the parents of Jack and Jimmy Bather who he played with all those years ago.
I wonder how they tie in with my Briercliffe Bathers.
thanks and regards
Rob

PS
And stop sending us all this cold weather. It's freezing cold down here.

Hi Rob
I assume you have already seen this Bather grave on the site.

http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk/Gra ... Bather.htm

_________________
David
Genealogists do it in the library.

Hi David
Thanks for that. Two months ago I made my first ever trip to Briercliffe and tramped around this interesting cemetery but didn't see that grave.
More pieces in my jigsaw puzzle.
Thanks and best regards
Rob

I found another this morning ,but we already had it on the site, this one is from St James not Haggate but it seems like it is your relatives.

http://www.briercliffesociety.co.uk/Gra ... Bather.htm

_________________
David
Genealogists do it in the library.

Sorry...my dad does not recall the names of Jimmy and Jack Bather's father. He says they lived on Church Street, neighbours to his grandparents (where he lived until age 12, I believe). He says the Bather boys were older than him....and he is 91 now. You'll have to do the math!
And....you cannot blame us for your bad weather.....we have rain today...unheard of...and the snow is almost gone due to temperatures waaaay above normal. I would say you should blame California!!

What a shame you were in Briercliffe 2 months ago and did not met any of the geniuses on this website. You'll have to return...

Thanks for your info Sue. I'll keep trying to tie in my lot with Jack & Jimmy.
I really enjoyed my visit to Briercliffe--Haggate Baptist Cemetery is super, the weaving mill museum fascinating, the surrounding countryside lovely and the folk friendly. Hope to get back there one day.
I even learnt how to speak like a local....Na'then.
As far as the weather is concerned--Yes! Let's blame the gringos!
regards
Rob

I think I have the Bather MI's somewhere. I'll add them to the site. Maybe it might help with your research Rob?

_________________
Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

My mum remembers the family on Church Street but I have a friend aged 94 who is as bright as a button. She was born and brought up on Church Street. I will contact her and see if she remembers them. I'll let you know what I find out.

Best wishes and welcome to the site. Pollyanna

Lashings of rain and cold and grey here this morning!

I've just spoken to my friend Alice. She remembers the Bathers very well. They lived at 35 Church Street and were manufacturers. There were Lily nee West and Jim (she thinks it was Jim she always knew him as Mr Bather)

The mill they ran is approximately where King St Mill is now (opposite Queen St Mill) The name was Mason West and Bather.
Run by Dodie Mason, John West and (Jim) Bather.

Lily and Jim had two sons Jim and Jack. Jack married Dorothy Hankey and Jim married Eva Halliwell who was a teacher at Heasandford School.

Lily Bather nee West suffered from diabetes

The family had a large dog an alsatian (german shepherd) that was a good friend to the whole street.

Hope this is of some help to you.

If you ever visit again let me know and I will help you find the places you want to visit.

David, Mel, Polyanna
Thank you all so very much--you are a helpful bunch and I appreciate your help.
I just love your human details Polyanna--after all, these were real people weren't they? Not just birth, marriage & death certs, and IGIs.
I am enjoying this forum.
regards and thanks
Rob

Pollyanna:
Your friend, Alice, must have known my dad and his family then? My dad, Jack Halstead, would have been around at that time and he is a similar age to Alice. He lived for quite a while with his grandparents, John Robert and Martha Halstead on Church Street, across from St. James' Church. He has mentioned a big dog too.....and, of course, there are photos of the Bather boys, Jimmy and Jack, in the archives which was among my dad's stuff.
Would you ask her? Also, what was her name in those days. Sometimes a little jog like that will result in a cascade of memories for dad...I always have paper and pencil handy!

Sue
I think that big dog on Church Street chased me the other day when I was taking photos in St James Churchyard

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David
Genealogists do it in the library.

Hi Sue
I was looking at the photo of Jimmy Bather and I have another question for your dad.
Who is the lass standing next to Jimmy?
best regards
Rob