Chartists

[Clive Blackaby]

"Legend" has it that there was also a Blackaby who was a blacksmith who lead the Chatist Revolt in Croyden. I am told that he is mentioned in "The history of the common people" by Postgate and Cole.

Does anyone have a copy of this where they might look him up for me please, or any other suggestions on how I might verify this information. There is no mention so far on the website although this is a possibly useful source for others, as they have a growing list of names of those who were arrested for supporting the movement

[Peter Goodey]

I believe the full title was "The History of the English Common People" by GDH Cole & Raymond Postgate published in 1938.

I don't have a copy I'm afraid. I know this may sound boring and old fashioned but why not try a library? Peruse the catalogue, ask if they can locate a copy via inter-library loans. Else try academic and specialist libraries. Depending where you are, county archives are also a possibility.

Also I'd try the Society of Genealogists library, British Library (obviously!), the London Library...

The most relevant place of all would probably be the Labour History Archive & Study Centre in Manchester.

[Clive Blackaby]

Thanks for the info Peter. Shortly after I received the reference, they closed the main history section at the Sale library, (which was the main centre for the Trafford area of Manchester) for rebuilding. As it was doubtful whether this was a direct family member I put it on one side, and found it in my files a couple of weeks back: thought it worth asking, but yes I need to follow it up now the library has re-opened

[Peter Goodey]

I see now that you're actually in Manchester. I that case it would be well worth contacting the Labour History Archive & Study Centre in Princess Street.

This is fascinating bit of history and not one that's dealt with in any depth in the "official" histories.

[frederica]

hi , i have been to the library suggested and would love to go back . they gave me a lot of info but it was only a fleeting visit . i am related to ernest jones ..Chartist thru his father . charles . maybe we can swap. jan

[Clive Blackaby]

Wow, this is an old thread, amazing how they sometimes "bump" themselves.

The follow up to this story is that John Blackaby who gave me the original Postgate & Cole reference found his copy of it and sent me the pages concerned.

I then found an abstract of an academic treatise which referenced the same item, and also referenced some newspaper articles from Croydon, Surrey, where James "Jem" Blackaby was based; that was on an "academic access only" site, but the author kindly sent me a transcript of his article.

The records office for Croydon then closed the loop for me by sending copies of the reports of the activities of Jem Blackaby, and comparing this with some more family papers which John dug out pretty much clinched where Jem fitted into the "Stanstead Blackaby" family.

Regrettably I cannot tie "my" Blackaby tree to the "Stanstead Blackabys", so progress on my own tree was "zilch", but it was a very satisfying bit of rooting around :)

[Peter Goodey]

Thanks for the follow up, Clive. It's good when some negative research (from a strictly genalogical point of view) turns out to be rewarding and interesting in its own right.

[Clive Blackaby]

Blind Alleys |doh|are always more interesting than |banghead| brick walls!

At least in this case I was able to add something real to someone else's tree. And you never know one of these days I may prove the missing link between two Blackaby families living 3 miles apart!!

[Spangle]

My Grandad's family were said to have been active Chartists. It's only family rumour but I wondered if, since they have the unusual name of Ilett and thus would be reasonably easy to identify, whether there might be any specific records of active Chartists for the London and Hertfordshire areas. Would anyone know please? Thanks!