Ushaw Moor Memories

1 - One of my classmates at Ushaw Moor School [1959/60] was called Linsley [Norma, I think]. She came from Bearpark and I believe she now lives somewhere not too far from Sacriston [or was it Langley Park?]. She is pictured at school on this site.I realise that she might not be relevant to your family.
If you can supply approx.dates of birth and names of members of your family and where they were living in 1901 I can very probably trace them on the census for you - within half an hour or even less!Wilf Bell. (Comment this)

2 - Re, Dick Linsley,
My father Robert [Bob,] Turner worked
at New Brancepeth colliery for many years with your
grandfather they were known as Marrers or team members
and the third member of the team was William [Billy]
Pearson, also from Alum Waters.
I seem to recall my
father saying that Dick was one of the first men to help
rescue him after he was hit by a fall of roof stone and
that the speedy re-action of both Dick and Billy
probably saved his life.
My father died in march 1985,
aged 91 years after a hard and dangerous life in the mines but thanks to people like your grandfather and
others shared a bond of friendship, a type of brotherhood
that i do not really think exists today in any profession,
to the detriment of our so called caring society.
They
were all tough ,hard men and i for one feel proud to be
the son of a coal-miner.
Regards To All,
Geoff, Turner. (Comment this)

3 - dear,mr. wilf bell and mr. geoff turner,
many thanks for your answer to my request regarding my family. to answer whether i know the birthdates of my grandfather/grandmother im afraid i donot.i believe my grandfather was born in ireland and emigrated to england at a very early age.his name was the same as mine, richard. linsley.i know he died in 1964/65 approx. at the age of 68/69 years approx. my grandmother came from scotland her maiden name was "graham" something she was very proud of because it was a clan name.my fathers name was johnathon. linsley. his birthdate was november 20th. 1917. he had three sisters, mary/lily/rita/. not many years seperated them.lily was married to a luke dodds who i remember better because he would travel south and visit my mother at times.thats allthe info i can come up with at the moment.thank you mr. turner for your kind words i also am proud i come from a background of coalminers and even more proud now you have shared your story of your father with me.i can remember when i visited durham that many of the front doors were always open,something you probably would not do today,and my grandfather would, after coming home covered in coal dust, just sit on the house step breathing in the the fresh air and looking over, the valley i guess, into ushaw moor.i also remember the men all sitting around at the top of the hill fom the colliery by the pub. they seemed to be enjoying the fresh air.i also remember the coal buckets on the cables and the train that crossed the valley going to the pit. it seems a shame in a way that it changed so much but i do agrre with you these were hard working men, brave and a credit to the country.
well once again thank you both for your time in writing
regards. richard. (Comment this)

4 - Hi Richard-your grandfather Richard was born in Lanchester in 1893 and he married my aunt Ethel in 1914.Ethel was born in Sleetburn on Feb 16 1897, the daughter of George Graham and Mary Pigford.George was born in West Auckland in 1860 and Mary was born in USA about 1865.The Grahams were not scottish -I have traced the family back to the late 17th century and they never left County Durham. They were weavers living in Aycliffe for over 100 years.I knew Luke Dodds quite well-the first time I watched tv was the 1953 cup final between Blackpool and Bolton was at Luke Dodds' house-Luke only died a few years ago-I believe he remarried.I could give you more details if you provide your e-mail address.
John Graham (Comment this)

5 - Further to my previous comments I can confirm that Luke Doods died in 2003.
John Graham (Comment this)

6 - dear john.,
many thanks to your response on my grandparents, richard linsley,and ethel graham.it was good of you to spend the time.my e.mail address is richard.linsley@3web.com look forward to any further inforation you have or i can give.
regards, richard (Comment this)

7 - Hi, I am Richard (Dick) Linsley's grandson as well. My Mother was Rita Melia (nee Linsley)and father Paddy Melia. I am happy to correspond with any family members or people who remember me. I now live in Manchester and don't get up to the north east very often. Regards Michael (m.melia@sky.com) (Comment this)

8 - Hello Cousin Richard,

Well,... I'm your 4th cousin once removed (your Dad's fourth Cousin) and I am related through the Graham/Pigford/Hepple connection.

My email is:
spike47(at)bigpond.com
and you can see me at
http://www.geocities.com/senojekips/Index.htm

It's been great to "meet" you.

Your Cousin,
Spike Jones.
South Australia (Comment this)