Mark Hunnebell will be talking about his new book, Secret Ilkley, at Ilkley Library on Friday 11th October from 12 noon. He will also be available to sign copies. All welcome.
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Mrs Carnegie
2019 marks 100 years since the death of Andrew Carnegie, Scottish/American industrialist, one of the richest men in history and a leading philanthropist.
His special emphasis on local libraries is reflected in Keighley’s historic Carnegie Library, the first library in England to be funded by Carnegie with a grant of £10,000, opening in 1904.
But it was Andrew Carnegie’s wife, New York born Louise Whitfield Carnegie, who encouraged her husband to start giving away his fortune to build free public libraries.
To celebrate National Libraries week Keighley Local Studies Library is hosting a special theatrical performance by local playwright, actor and historian Irene Lofthouse.
Come along and hear the story of this remarkable woman and about the part played by the Carnegies in the history of Keighley’s library.
Keighley Local Studies Library
Saturday 12th October
10.30am – 12.00 noon
- Free event
- All welcome
- Suitable for all ages
For more information contact the library on: 01535 618215 or email keighleylocalstudies@bradford.gov.uk
Film crew visit Local Studies
On Tuesday 2nd of July, Bradford Local Studies was visited by a Chinese film crew from Phoenix TV. They were in Bradford producing a documentary on the links between the Bradford wool trade and China in the early 1950’s.
They had met various people in Bradford who had knowledge this trade, including relatives of some of the businessmen involved back in the 50’s.
During their visit to the library, Phoenix TV presenter Jay Cao was filmed looking at original copies of Telegraph and Argus articles about the trade links that the Local Studies Library staff had found.
The programme is due to be broadcast in October 2019.
Taking the stories of workhouse records to a wider audience
Thank you to Sylvia Valentine for contributing the following article about using the workhouse records held in Keighley Local Studies Library Archives.
I am a professional family historian and spend time researching in archives as I help people trace their ancestors and their stories. This brings me into contact with a wide range of source material, including the various records held in Keighley Local Studies Library. Amongst the amazing collection of records are a variety of records of Keighley Union and the North Bierley Union, perhaps better known as records of the workhouse.
Minute books of committee meetings might not strike many people as being very exciting, however, over the years I have found a number of fascinating stories about various people who came into contact with the workhouse, either as employees, suppliers, Guardians and of course the inmates. It has been my pleasure in recent years to talk about these stories and the wonderful record collections at various family history events both in England and Canada. When giving my talks, my aim is to encourage other family historians to find for themselves the stories of their own ancestors who might have a “workhouse connection”. The stories I have been able to research make wonderful examples of what can be done with just a few lines from a committee meeting minute book, and hopefully are a source of inspiration to others.
Sylvia Valentine
Recover Your Roots
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- Keighley Lodge 1971
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- Keighley Union list of paupers 1851
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- Keighley Workhouse
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- Map showing workhouse c.1891
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- Recruitment of Master and Matron 1858
Collections Week at Keighley Local Studies
Keighley Local Studies Library will close from Monday 3rd of June 2019 for Collections Week.
The week’s closure will enable work to be carried out on a section of the large collection of Local Authority material with the aim of increasing convenience of user access and ensuring that these unique items are stored in the best way for future preservation.
A selection of items from the Local Authority archives will be on display when the Local Studies Library reopens on Monday 10th of June
Apologies for any inconvenience caused during this period.
