Windmill Sq, Macclesfield

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi to Cheshire Researchers

My ancestors were resident in Windmill Square, Macclesfied for over a century, 1790's to 1900, and at their peak in the mid to late 19th century they occupied 5 of the 12 houses in the Square which included the Corner Shop.

Whilst I have lots of information on my ancestors from census returns and Parish Registers of Christchurch, etc - i have very little information on Windmill Square itself other than Ordnance Survey Maps.

I would appreciate any background info on the square, and pictures taken prior to it being demolished would be fantastic.

[houghj40]

Why don't you try an appeal in the Macclefield Express. It is the local weekly paper which regularly prints old photos. Also there have been a number of "Old Macc" photo books published and you never know if there was something in one of those. Try the Tourist Info Office at the Town Hall which sells them or maybe a library could borrow one from Macc Library.

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi there houghj40

Thank you for answering my query - I do appreciate it.

I did write to the locl newspaper in Macclesfield for info on Windmill Square, my letter was published and I had one reply who sent two photocopied pictures of the corner shop in the Square prior to demolition (pulled down I think in the 50's or 60's)

I also contacted the various silk museums in Macclesfield who had no record of my ancestors in their archives, so was able to give them info on my silk throwster ancestors from 1780 through to 1840's

I have documentary evidence that ancestors also kept a public house in Macclesfied in the 1820'2 and 1830's - but again they do not appear in any of the old macclesfield publications on beer houses etc - very strange

Seems like they have been erased from all records.

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to offer help and information