| If you are looking at
this site, then, chances are that you have at least a small interest in
South Yorkshire. Why because that's where I was born and brought up and
it's also where most of my ancestors lived. By the way, if the address you
have for your ancestor is West Riding of Yorkshire, don't worry because
South Yorkshire used to part of that particular 'Riding'.
Would you like to know more about the
area your ancestor lived? I'm sure you would, especially those of you that
no longer live in this area.
South Yorkshire contains five quite
large town and cities, which are: Doncaster; Sheffield; Rotherham;
Barnsley and Wakefield. Plus several hundred - if not thousand - smaller
towns; villages and hamlets.
South Yorkshire in the Middle Ages
was mainly farm land. But as time progressed it became one of the most
industrialised areas in the world.
Many of you will have heard of
'Sheffield Steel'. Or the 'Coal Fields' which covered most of the area
from the mid 18th century up to the end of the 20th century. You may also
have heard of the 'Plant Works' at Doncaster where some of the famous
locos such as the 'Mallard'; 'Green Arrow' and of course the 'Flying
Scotsman' (All designed by
Sir Nigel Gresley) were built.
Unfortunately much of this 'Heavy'
industry has disappeared leaving only remnants in its wake. But the area
is actually thriving better than ever with a massive influx of lighter
industry.
Of course some will mourn the demise of
our 'traditional industry' and some, for example, will thank God that
their loved ones will no longer suffer the agony of the effects of coal
dust in their lungs!
To learn much more than I could possibly
tell you, about South Yorkshire, why not go 'Discovering South
Yorkshire' with Brian Elliott!
Brian Elliott Books
Brian is the author of several books and
articles on the area. Born near Barnsley and currently living in
Warmsworth near Doncaster, Brian is the ideal guide to lead you to and
describe over a hundred of South Yorkshire's hidden places, oddities and
strange events.
Carol and I met Brian at an event held in
Sheffield to remember the 'Great
Sheffield Flood' (More on that later). We had gone to find more
information about one of my Great grandfathers, who died in the flood
(Christopher Colton). Whilst there we came across Brian busily signing
copies of his 'Discovering South Yorkshire'. We
bought the book and when we got home we read the book from cover to cover.
We learned so much about South Yorkshire that we didn't know - and we've
both lived here all our lives! (Apart from 6 years I spent in New Zealand
and 4 years Carol lived in Liverpool)
If you would like a copy
of Brian's book click this link:
Or for a range of Brian's
books, go here: Brian Elliott Books |
