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Our Lady of Guisborough

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A CATHOLIC HISTORY OF GUISBOROUGH   Taken from the original by Alf Toland - June 1958 The Catholic history of Guisborough really commences in the reign of Henry I. In 1106 Henry had trouble with his Barons resulting in a battle between the King and forces under the command of Robert Malet and William de Mortain. Malet was killed and Mortain was taken prisoner. After the battle, the King generously rewarded his faithful followers and gave Malet’s lands in Skelton, Guisborough and Normanby to Robert de Brus. Other followers received lands in various parts of the County, but these do not concern this history. Robert de Brus endowed land and in 1119 Guisborough Priory was founded under the care of the Canons of St Augustine. In time it became the most important Priory in Yorkshire. It was dedicated to our Blessed Lady and in all probability the dedication took place on the feast of the Assumption. The first church was Norman but of this, no trace remains. The second was built in the Ea...
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Haydock Bible - Ugthorpe

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A plaque, dedicated to Rev George Leo Haydock was erected in the church grounds of St Anne's Ugthorpe in August 2023. A significant person in the village, and to the rest of the world. George Haydock was born April 1774 near Preston Lancashire, the youngest son of George & Ann. He and his father were namesakes of an illustrious ancestor, Blessed George Haydock (1556–1584), a martyred seminary priest during the Elizabethan persecution, beatified in 1987.  In 1785 at eleven years of age, he was sent to further his education at the English College, Douai, France, established in the 16th century for Catholic exiles, where provision was made for secondary education in addition to training for the priesthood. Among his classmates were many who would go on to play significant roles in the English church, including future bishop Thomas Penswick, the future historian John Lingard, and the future Irish Liberator Daniel O’Connell.  George Haydock's studies were interrupted in 179...
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Glaisdale to Sacramento 1891

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 The narrative of a journey from Glaisdale to Sacramento was written by Joseph Readman and later transcribed by his great niece Elizabeth Ann Readman in 1977. This story has been laid dormant, amongst my uncle Joseph Leslie O'Connor's archives. A hundred and thirty-two years have passed – now it's time to retell the story. The Readman family set sail on the 14 th of May 1891 from Liverpool on the SS Polynesian, bound for Quebec. Mother, Elizabeth Readman was 62 years old and a widow. Her Husband was Francis Readman 1826 – 1887. Mother's maiden name was Harrison, child of Robert Harrison & Elizabeth (Swales). Daughter Elizabeth Harrison born in 1851 was also a widow. Her late husband, John Harrison born 1845 – died 22 nd of Feb 1889. Their children Charles Louis born in 1887 and Mary Beatrice born in 1889 were all onboard SS Polynesian. Incidentally, John Harrison was brother to my paternal great-grandmother, Agnes Harrison 1856-1948 who married Thomas Philip Ly...
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Hearts of Oak by J L O'Connor

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Joseph Leslie O'Connor in the 1960's researched the recusant families of the North York Moors. His book, (unpublished apart from photocopies) "Hearts of Oak" has now been assembled from the original manuscript (with pictures). The book includes much family history from the following families -  Harrison, Lyth, Readman, Gallon, Hodgson, Harland, Hoggarth, Pearson, Shaw, Child,  Hutchinson, Roe (Rowe/ Raw), Wedgewood, Barker, Welford, Lawson, Swales, Knaggs  White, & other recusant families in general.  The document can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yK1jVr5ZOGB5a0q_HfjfJMu9tbA82PQU/view?usp=sharing   Best wishes - John Pearson Family custodian of Leslie's work
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