Coleorton Families

The Covid pandemic isolation, lock-down and social-distancing really highlighted how much we rely on our families - not just for hugs and smiles, but to help us get through our complicated and sometimes frustrating lives. Thankfully, today we have all the wonders of modern technology to help us keep in touch with extended and geographically spread families so at least we know how they are getting on and can provide some loving words and smiles across the ether.

Coleorton Heritage Group are collecting stories of families who have lived and worked in Coleorton over the years. You can see the beginnings of our collection below.

The history of Coleorton is made by people who were born in Coleorton or moved here to work or be near relatives. Some of these people of from large, usually wealthy, land-owning families such as the Beaumonts, Sherwins, Boultbees, who had a major impact on the economic and social life of the area. Others were working people, miners, spar workers, frame knitters, farmers, servants, blacksmiths, inn-keepers, teachers; some had several jobs at once to keep the wolf from the door.

We can find details of some of these in the Census records which began in 1801 but are only recorded since 1841. You can search Census records (transcribed by John MacDonald) on the Coleorton Parish website. Bear in mind that the boundaries of Coleorton Parish underwent many changes over the years, so you may need to look at the census records for Thringstone, Worthington or Swannington parishes.

Before that time records were made of baptisms, marriages, deaths and sometimes confirmations at parish churches. In our case this is St Mary's. Later on Coleorton, as a mining village, had a good percentage of non-conformists who attended Methodist or Baptist churches around the area (mostly situated just outside of the Coleorton parish boundary because the Beaumonts would not allow non-conformist chapels to be built on their property.) You can find names from the various graveyards see Cemetery audits with lists of Griffydam methodist graveyard as well as St Mary's and St John's.

A major source of information is from the older members of our community. The Heritage Group has collected the stories of family and social life in the book "Memories of Coleorton" which is still in print and available for sale - see the panel right or below.

We also get enquiries from people who have been researching their family tree and discovered a Coleorton connection. We've had enquiries from Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Their research is invaluable as they have a wider view and also some personal stories of their ancestor's lives after they left Coleorton.

Try the search box at the top right of the page to locate mentions of your family name on this website.

Families we have some research and stories about include:

 

We welcome any contributions, additions, corrections or queries.


Coleorton history links

Our Research Resources section has a number of links to other history sites and to local history groups. Research resources >>

"Memories of Coleorton" Book

Memories of Coleorton book

Coleorton Heritage Group has published an updated edition of the book "Memories of Coleorton - Reminiscences of the Residents" first published in November 2015. Local residents relate their memories of childhood and growing up in Coleorton.

Families and names mentioned include:

  • Andrews
  • Bannister
  • Barkby
  • Bird
  • Brooks
  • Capenor
  • Collier
  • Fairbrother
  • Fovargue
  • Glenville
  • Grain
  • Harrison
  • Hodges
  • Holdsworth
  • Holland
  • Jones
  • Leeson
  • Mayne
  • Moseley
  • Mugglestone
  • Neal
  • Redburn
  • Redshaw
  • Robinson
  • Stewart
  • Wallis
  • Webster
  • Whitehead
  • Wigstead
  • Williams
  • Williamson
  • Wright
  • Yates

Books are available to purchase for £15 - call Mike Cox on 01530 813743 or email enquiries@coleortonheritage.org.uk