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If you have ancestors from Bedale, North Yorkshire or the surrounding area from the 1700s or 1800s, then they may be referred to in Hird’s Annals of Bedale. These are a series of notebooks written in the early 1800s by Robert Hird, a shoemaker from Bedale, and contain a history of Bedale and its people in rhymed verse. As Robert Hird was one of my ancestors, I have invested in a copy of the transcribed notebooks which contains a very helpful index which allows you to look up names of people or places mentioned. As I have found out quite a lot about my ancestors from the Annals which would not be easily obtainable elsewhere, I wondered if anyone else who has roots in Bedale or the neighbouring villages would like a look up. If yes, please post details on this thread – no emails please. Please note that I can only do look-ups at the weekend so it may take me a while to get back to you. In addition, you should bear in mind that the Annals are a collection of stories/folklore some of which may not all be 100% true. It won’t necessary tell you about birth, marriage or death dates but it may well have some interesting history if your ancestors were active in town life or if they visited the shoemaker, who very clearly liked a bit of a gossip about what was going on! Louise

Hi Joan, I'm afraid that there are no Sharps or Sharpes listed in the index. Louise

Hi Louise I have an old cousin in Australia and last year she asked me to do some look ups for her as I had given her a lot of information on My grandmother (her own mother's sister) side of the family and she was having trouble trying to trace her husband's ancestors. They came originally from Bedale and I was able to find out a bit about them but I am sure she would love more detail if you have anything on HARNBY in some census they where HORNBY. would be grateful for any titbits to send her if you can find anything. Many thanks Maureen

Hi Johnathan, No joy on Binks or Buckton but I've got a hit for Sivers. Although not mentioned in the rhymed verses there is a footnote about John Sivers which I've copied below. I hope it's a connection to your Sivers. Louise --- 'Mr Pickering had a sister died in 1782 (Mrs Ann Aktinson). John Sivers of Bedale was at that time a gravedigger for old Wm Sadler, Sexton. When he was making her grave he found a women's gold ring in the earth. I was there at the time, and have oft ruminated on how it cam there, and my fixed opinion was that either a wife or a widow had been intered with it on. Here I cannot drop John Sivers, tho' he was a poor man and served the Masons. He put the low end of Bedale (as far as he had privilege) into a neat clean, state. The dwelling that he married to was the lowest on the West side, it's door in the North gable, and only one room in a forlorn state. This he made good, added another room, took in the waste land tothe pinfold for a garden, and planted a quick fence by the causeway. Mr Jacques built up the residence for Dinah, which connected to the row; and lately Robert Johnson, basketmaker, has added another room. Previous to the division of the waste houses by the Lords of the Manor of Bedale, these houses paid no rent. Afterwards, Sivers' house, which is now occupied by Matthew Taylor, was made a rent charge of 30s, and in the year 1840 was advanced to 4£.'

Hi Susan, My geography knowledge for Yorkshire is also poor although improving since I started doing this! Anyway, I checked for Rukin/Rookin but there is no mention in the Annals. Louise PS. Nothing on Turnidge either, I'm afraid.

Hi Maureen, Unfortunately, although there are a few references to Hornby Castle there are none for any people called Hornby or Harnby. Louise

Louise Thank you for your kind offer, Could you please look for the names Staplyton,Stapleton,Esther Staplyton was a Shoe Binder. Wilson Mudd All in Bedale Leyburn Late 1700/early1800 Sue

Hi Louise This is a wonderful offer. I am looking for a Benjamin Backhouse who married Sarah Thompson in 1814 in Bedale. Sarah's place of birth is given as Bedale. Benjamin was a watchmaker. I am also interested in the family of William Fryer and Catherine Auton in the late 1700s Thankyou Janet

Hi Louise, sounds really interesting stuff. My gg grandfather John Pearson came from bedale, he was a master draper and tailor. He had 2 wives and approx 13 children and i know he lived there all his life. I know he married his first wife Jane millen approx 1844, his second wife margaret Im not so sure he actually married because ive not been able to find a marriage date nor a death for his 1st wife. maybe 1st wife went off somewhere as he was left with the kids. Anyway, they lived in Emgate, any info would be great, especially any gossip hehe. thanks, Maria

Many thanks for looking Maureen

nearly fell over the edge Sue

Nearly fell off the edge again

nudge

Just stopping us from falling over the edge :) Maria

Sorry for the delay in replying but I got caught up in a manic project at work which meant weekend working - yuck! I will be doing some look ups over the next few days so look out for your long awaited replies! Louise

Sue from Otley Yorks, There are a lot Stapleton and Stapylton mentions. The orginal manor of Bedale was divided between two families, the Peirses and the Stapyltons in Hirds time so it seems that the Staplytons were a well placed family. He mentions several times that this family are Catholics nd has several convoluted tales of them. As explained above the Annals are a bit of a ramble but names mentioned are: Thomas Stapylton as Lord of Bedale. Myles Stapyton, Lord of Bedale who died in 1839 after only being Lord for 22 weeks and 5 days. He was followed by Miles Thomas Stapleton who on 16th Oct 1840 was summoned to the House of Lords as Baron Beaumont. There is also a Gilbert Stapleton who I think was the brother of MT Stapleton. Hird also refers at one point to Thomas Staplyton (1535-1298) a catholic priest. Hirds supposes (without much evidence!) that this priest, who was at the time living abroad, was responsible for translating Bede's history of the church into English. Another mention is of Sir Robert Stapleton, third son of Richard Stapylton of Carleton, Yorkshire. He was knighted in 1642, died in 1669 and it is likely that Myles Stapylton is his successor. I've not found any mention of Esther Stapleton or shoe binding Stapletons but let me know if any of the above may be related. There is mention of a Mr John Mudd who was a well known man of his time and held sporting events. He died in 1801 in Matthew Masteron's public house in Emgate eating a pie! There are some Wilsons mentions but I'd need a bit more info (first names or dates) to find anything useful. Hopes this helps. Louise

Janet, No mention of Benjamin Backhouse but there is a Thomas Backhouse, a butcher, who was killed in 1837 aged 30 years after being hit by a whipstock by a Burneston collier. No mention of Sarah Thompson either I'm afraid. However, there is a mention of Fryers living at 'Fleets' including a William Fryer who died Sept 1834. Regards, Louise

Hi Louise Would you have a look for any Woodward's or Atkinson's. Thanks in Advance Maureen

Maria, There is a reference to a John Pearson but not much personal detail I'm afraid. These are relevant verses from a description by Hird of things going on in the village. 'We pass'd the bridge, all things were fine, Not what was wont to be. When old Kit*, he kept his gamecocks prime, And his old smithy. Blacksmith by trade was Collinson, Great cockfigher was he, Terry and Wray and John Pearson, Such was the company.' (* Christopher Collison) So, there you go it seems that John Pearson was into cockfighting! Louise