OLDHAM & DISTRICT PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS
2024 PROGRAMME DETAILS HERE
Starting in December 2020 and into early 2022, we had a full programme of online, monthly, Zoom meetings, which were well received by both local attendees and many from further afield. In April 2022, when pandemic restrictions were lifted, we decided to run most of our meetings as hybrids (in person in Oldham Library and simultaneously on zoom).
Initially, as anticipated, there were 'teething problems' and we have introduced new equipment and moved from the Education Suite into the Performance Space where the acoustics appear to be better.
At the moment, we are preferring to use two laptops, for the powerpoint presentations... one in the room and one for zoom, progressing them simultaneously.
We're still working to improve the 'hybrid experience' before we will be completely happy and hope that you will continue to support us both in the library and on zoom.
The programme for 2025, below, will again be a mix of zoom only, hybrid and library only. This means that we can also invite speakers from outside our local area and, hopefully, offer a programme that satisfies attendees in both the library and on zoom.
Booking to attend via zoom is essential at Eventbrite. No booking is necessary for library attendance.
We continue to look forward to welcoming you to our talks in the months to come.
The Branch Meetings on zoom will remain free to both MLFHS members and non-members alike.
In the Library, for those attending in person, there is free admission for MLFHS members and the usual £5 charge for non-members.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided as you arrive.
If you have not yet joined a zoom meeting and need some help you you can download a couple of .pdf files that explain the process of actually joining a meeting with zoom, and the protocols which help to make the meeting run as smoothly as possible. 'New to Zoom' HERE and our Branch Protocols .HERE
Before travelling to any meetings in the Library, please check, on this page, that there have been no last-minute changes or cancellations.
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A .pdf of the print copy of the 2025 Programme of Meetings is available to download, HERE
Saturday, 12th October, at 2pm.
Hesketh Booth of Oldham
An illustrated presentation to be given by Hilary Hartigan.
Hilary looks into the corners of Victoria’s reign, for this talk, to tell the story of one boy, Hesketh Booth, one-time town clerk of Oldham: family, friends, business acquaintances - what is it that shapes and develops a young man’s career and what footprints does he leave in the history of the town?
A library-only meeting in the Performance Space at Oldham Library.
MLFHS members free; visitors £5.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking not necessary.
Saturday, 9th November, at 2pm
It Happened in Oldham - Darker Stuff
Learn about terrible local accidents, murder, riots and even worse.
An illustrated presentation to be given by Chris Herd.
Please note change to meeting:
Owing to a change in circumstances, this is now a Zoom only Meeting.
Booking for zoom attendance will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite.
All are most welcome.
NO
MEETING
PLANNED FOR
DECEMBER
Saturday, 11th January, at 2pm
So Notorious a Prisoner : The Nine Lives of Mina Jury
An illustrated presentation to be given by Claire Moores.
This talk explores the extraordinary life of Mina Jury, from her origins in Northern Ireland, experiencing transportation to Australia for stealing jewellery and her involvement in one of the most celebrated impersonation cases of the Victorian Age, to her persistent criminal career in later life, despite repeated punishments in many locations in the UK.
Learning about her life experiences, can make us challenge our ideas about women's experiences of the criminal justice system but also familiar narratives of women's lives in general.
A Zoom only meeting, online.
Booking for zoom attendance is essential and will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite.
All are most welcome.
Saturday, 8th February at 2pm
Buried Secrets: Looking for Frank and Ida
An illustrated presentation to be given by author Ann Hanson
Anne Hanson’s new book, Buried Secrets: Looking for Frank and Ida, is a real-life mystery about her quest to discover the hidden past that her grandparents Frank and Ida took to their graves. When she finally unearthed their real identities, she learned that their tales were lies invented to conceal disturbing facts. Buried Secrets is both a suspenseful drama and a true story about love, sacrifice, and family relationships. Its target audience is readers of suspense, memoir, and social history.
A Zoom only meeting, online.
Booking for zoom attendance is essential and will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite.
All are most welcome.
Saturday 8th March, at 2pm
Heirlooms : Bring and Share Your Stories
We all have things that are important, because of their family connections, regardless of value, big or small.
Join us for an informal meeting to share the stories behind some of the items we hold most dear. If you don't have an heirloom of your own to share, even so, please join us, to hear the stories and share in discussions.
We would like to invite anyone who has an interest in family and local history to join us for this meeting. Our normal charge of £5, for non-members, will be waived on this occasion.
A library-only meeting in the Education Suite at Oldham Library.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking not necessary.
Saturday, 12th April 2pm
Brief Annual Reports Meeting
all welcome and followed by :
Oldham's Coal Mines
an illustrated presentation, given by Kelly Anderson
Oldham has a rich history when it comes to coal. From primitive fourteenth century mines in Werneth right up to Oak Colliery – one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, coal mines in Oldham, men, women and children worked long hours in very difficult circumstances to haul it out of the ground and into our homes.From how and when coal was formed, to miners strikes and great feasts, and a potential future use for the remaining coal mines lying beneath Oldham, come along to find out more about this fascinating part of Oldham’s history.
This is a hybrid meeting, in person in the Library and online, on Zoom.
* Booking for zoom attendance is essential and will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite.
All are most welcome.
* In the Library, MLFHS members free, visitors £5.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking not necessary.
Saturday, 10th May at 2pm
A Manicurist in Cowboy Country :
the Remarkable Adventures of Edith Alice Crosby, 1882-1968
an illustrated presentation
given by Alan Crosby
Alan pieces together the life of his great aunt.
A Zoom only meeting, online.
Booking for zoom attendance is essential and will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite.
All are most welcome
Saturday, 14th June 2pm
Manorial History of Chadderton Part 2 - Foxdenton Hall
an illustrated presentation given by Mike Lawson
The story of an ancient Hall, originally built in the mid 15th century.
A library-only meeting in the Performance Space at Oldham Library.
MLFHS members free; visitors £5.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking not necessary.
Saturday July 12th at 2pm
The Archers of Ossett : A Family History talk.
An illustrated presentation given by Chris Widdall.
This is the story of one family, the author’s direct ancestors and is situated in the small West Riding town of Ossett.
The talk begins with the history of archery, the occupation which gave name to her family. The main line is followed down from her earliest traceable ancestors who were the village blacksmiths and through their progression to textile machine manufacturing in the shoddy and mungo industry.
It follows the family’s fortunes and misfortunes, their successes and failures, from bankruptcy to industrial espionage during the Napoleonic Wars, their misdemeanours and madness and the story ends with her grandfather, George Archer, and his experiences on the battlefields of Europe, at Passchendaele.
This is a hybrid meeting, in person in the Library and online, on Zoom.
* Booking for zoom attendance is essential and will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite.
All are most welcome.
* In the Library, MLFHS members free, visitors £5.
Booking not necessary. Refreshments on arrival.
Saturday, August 9th at 2pm
The Secret World of the Victorian Lodging House
an illustrated presentation given by author Joseph O'Neill
Criminals, drifters, beggars, the homeless, immigrants, prostitutes, tramping artisans, street entertainers, abandoned children, navvies, and families fallen on hard times - a whole underclass of people on the margins of society passed through Victorian lodging houses. These places were to be found in almost every city and town and they were central to working class life. Labelled seedbeds of infectious disease, they were seen as training schools for criminals and conmen of every description. The reality, however, was more complex as lodging houses also provided for those scratching a living, and sheltered those who refused to enter the workhouse.
Joe flings open the door to the 19th century lodging house, central to working class life, and tells their forgotten stories.
A Zoom only meeting, online.
Booking for zoom attendance is essential and will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite.
All are most welcome
Saturday, September 13th at 2pm
Great-Grandad's War
an illustrated presentation given by Carol Talbot
In 1914, Great-Grandad Edward was sixty.
His three eldest sons served in the war in different parts of the world.
But what was Edward's part in the war, and why was he awarded medals when he was too old to enlist?
The talk will include information about where to find records for WWI soldiers.
A library-only meeting in the Performance Space at Oldham Library.
MLFHS members free; visitors £5.
Refreshments on arrival.
Booking not necessary.
Saturday, October 11th at 2pm
Manchester, Oldham and Lancashire Portraits
An illustrated presentation given by Brian Groom.
The stories of 20 key people who built the region’s history will be told by Brian Groom, author of bestselling 'Northerners: A History' and 'Made in Manchester: a People's History of the City that Shaped the Modern World'. This includes figures from in or around Oldham such as William Walton, Annie Kenney and J.R. Clynes, plus others from the first Roman soldiers to Samuel Crompton, L.S. Lowry, Elizabeth Gaskell, Gracie Fields, Alan Turing and Victoria Wood.
This is a hybrid meeting, in person in the Library and online, on Zoom.
* Booking for zoom attendance is essential and will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite.
All are most welcome.
* In the Library, MLFHS members free, visitors £5.
Booking not necessary. Refreshments on arrival.
Saturday, November 8th
An Irishman Missing in Manchester - The Paper Trail
An illustrated presentation given by Carol Lee
A family member who disappeared in 1870s Manchester and how I managed to track him down following a paper trail he left behind.
A real-life story of genealogical detective work.
A Zoom only meeting, online.
Booking for zoom attendance is essential and will be free to everyone, on Eventbrite.
All are most welcome
NO
MEETING
PLANNED FOR
DECEMBER
Where to find it ...
Navigate the Branch website pages and see at a glance where you might find what you are looking for, with this site map, HERE