Rochdale Local Studies Centre

Rochdale Local Studies Centre Discover the Local Studies Collection for Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and Pennines. Please contact Local Studies at Touchstones Rochdale.
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The strength of the Local Studies collection of the Rochdale's Arts and Heritage Service is due to the kind generosity of the people of the borough kindly donating their photographs and archives. We hope that these pages will help celebrate Rochdale Borough's unique history. Do you have photographs, maps, documents etc that you would like to donate so that future generations can marvel at the fasc

inating history of the Rochdale area? You can discover more by visiting the Link4Life website. New for 2017: Call in for FREE access to FindmyPast, as well as AncestryLibrary.

21/10/2023

The latest episode of the Touchstones Tapes is now live! 🎙️➿

Grab a brew and sit down as we chat with the ladies of Local Studies, who are revealing their fascinating historical treasures and how they are helping to connect ancestral dots for many 🌍

Are you ready to delve deep into the wonderful world of Local Studies?

The latest episode of the Touchstones Tapes is available on Spotify: https://bit.ly/46m2MWu and Youtube: https://youtu.be/QAnYb9IYflI

Pub Quiz Friday!Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't w...
20/10/2023

Pub Quiz Friday!
Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)
When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments.

Can't wait to see all our customers old and new 😁
11/10/2023

Can't wait to see all our customers old and new 😁

Pub Quiz Friday!Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't w...
06/10/2023

Pub Quiz Friday!

Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)

When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments.

Today's photo is from the D. Lee Collection

The Local Studies Centre is almost ready to reopen its doors!! 📚Now relocated at (formerly) Sparth Community Centre, get...
05/10/2023

The Local Studies Centre is almost ready to reopen its doors!! 📚

Now relocated at (formerly) Sparth Community Centre, get ready to research, rediscover and relish in our rich local heritage 📖

The opening of the Local Studies Centre is on Wednesday, 11th October 2023. Find out more about Local Studies on our website: https://bit.ly/46hGt46

There is a treasure trove of knowledge waiting for you, we hope to see you soon! ✨

Pub Quiz Friday!Ye olde one! We all probably know the building, but what was the name of the pub?!Usual rules: Guess the...
29/09/2023

Pub Quiz Friday!

Ye olde one! We all probably know the building, but what was the name of the pub?!

Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)

When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments

Pub Quiz Friday!Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't w...
22/09/2023

Pub Quiz Friday!

Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)

When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments

Pub Quiz Friday!Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't w...
15/09/2023

Pub Quiz Friday!

Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)

When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments
Ta to Google for this weeks!

12/09/2023
Pub Quiz Friday!Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't w...
25/08/2023

Pub Quiz Friday!

Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)

When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments.

23/08/2023

We've changed our name! Ahead of the Local Studies Centre opening in its new location of Sparth Community Centre, we're making a few changes to this page so it becomes a space even more dedicated to Rochdale's local history, archives and services.

Keep your eyes peeled for more... 👀

16/08/2023

As one door closes, another virtual one opens!

We are thrilled to unveil The Touchstones Tapes podcast, brought to you through Audio Always’ Manchester Amplified program! 🎙️

In each episode of the podcast, we will chat to a range of inspiring individuals, from community leaders to volunteers, whose hard work helps shape our vibrant community and the work that Touchstones does.

Find out what meaningful objects our guests bring along with them, explore how they envision the newly refurbished Touchstones will enrich their work, and immerse yourself in the fascinating stories they share along the way 🗣️

So whether you’re at home, on a commute or simply interested in the work that goes on behind the scenes, stay connected as we uncover unheard stories on The Touchstones Tapes!

A new episode of The Touchstones Tapes will be released every month on Spotify and Apple Podcast.

A huge thank you to Audio Always for helping us make this podcast!😊

Join our mailing list here to be notified when we go live: https://bit.ly/40NMdPs

This silver plate came as part of a donation from The Innes Centre it is dated 2002 and is named 'Carcraft Trophy' but w...
07/08/2023

This silver plate came as part of a donation from The Innes Centre it is dated 2002 and is named 'Carcraft Trophy' but we have no details as to why is was awarded, can anybody who worked at or attended The Innes Centre help?

It's can you help time again! These 3 are driving us mad because they look so familiar! As always, thanks in advance to ...
31/07/2023

It's can you help time again! These 3 are driving us mad because they look so familiar!

As always, thanks in advance to any help or ideas! :-)

Pub Quiz Friday!We are somewhere in the BOROUGH of Rochdale today..!Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! Fo...
14/07/2023

Pub Quiz Friday!
We are somewhere in the BOROUGH of Rochdale today..!

Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)

When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments.

Today's photo is from the D. Lee Collection

07/07/2023

The Local Studies team are finally IN at their new home of Sparth Community Centre! Now the small matter of unpacking this lot... 📦

It's going to take a little longer than anticipated to get the service back up and running, but in September the team will be ready to welcome you to their new digs and help you with all your research needs 🤓

Keep your eye on our social media for updates...

Happy New Year from us at Rochdale Local Studies! All the best for 2023!Photograph is the Fairy fountain at the cattle m...
01/01/2023

Happy New Year from us at Rochdale Local Studies! All the best for 2023!

Photograph is the Fairy fountain at the cattle market on The Holme for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

Pub Quiz Friday! Last one of the year!If you happen to be outside (or inside!) a pub this New Year's Eve, can you take a...
30/12/2022

Pub Quiz Friday! Last one of the year!

If you happen to be outside (or inside!) a pub this New Year's Eve, can you take a picture of it and send it to me?! We are sort of running out of pubs...! :-) Jenny

Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)
When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments

Merry Christmas from us all here at Rochdale Local Studies! We hope you have a cracking day!(Photo is Dunlop children's ...
25/12/2022

Merry Christmas from us all here at Rochdale Local Studies! We hope you have a cracking day!

(Photo is Dunlop children's Christmas party in 1943!)

Merry Christmas..! :-) Pub Quiz Friday!Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanke...
23/12/2022

Merry Christmas..! :-)

Pub Quiz Friday!

Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)
When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments

Pub Quiz Friday!Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't w...
16/12/2022

Pub Quiz Friday!

Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)
When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments

08/12/2022

Next week we'll have a brand new exhibit in our museum - a collection of beautiful 1930s Art Deco dolls house furniture, handmade by World War I veteran Edgar Yarwood for his niece Daphne.

These fascinating pieces will be on display from Wednesday 14 December, and you can read more about the poignant story behind the collection on Museum Crush: https://bit.ly/3P4cq8c

Pub Quiz Friday!Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't w...
02/12/2022

Pub Quiz Friday!
Usual rules: Guess the pub below and where it is! For obvious reasons I've blanked the sign out (don't want to make it too easy!)
When everyone's had a guess and someone gets it I’ll post the proper photograph in the comments

Address

Norman Road
Rochdale
OL114HS

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 12:30pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 10am - 12:30pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Friday 10am - 12:30pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Saturday 10am - 12:30pm
1pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

01706924915

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Comments

Hi, I am not a resident of Rochdale but I have recently learned my parents lived at Red Lumb in the late 1950's can anyone give me any information or local history of the area please? You can contact me via private message here on Facebook - many thanks in advance :-)
Hi I am looking for picture of 2 off jame's place, whitworth road, rochdale around 1880. If anyone can help with a picture of it or close to it, would appreciate it thanks
Couple of cast iron machine plates i bought some years ago , that might be of interest , The Atlas iron works Thomas Holt & son's Molesworth street Rochdale, Iron founders & manufacturers of Steam engines & textile machinery , i also have a book on this company, thought you might like to see them
Not long to go until our first falcon trail event! Are you as excited as we are? 😊 🦅
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As previously promised, this is a picture of Eric Duckworth of Dunsterville, Rochdale, who was killed aged 19 at Gallipoli in 1915 and whose remains were never formally recovered or identified. In March 1922, his parents took out the sapling of an oak tree (pictured) to plant on the Turkish peninsula in his memory and, as you can see from the third picture, it continues to thrive. The centenary of this unique act of commemoration is being marked with a one-off event and it would be great if you joined us. Here is the ticket link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/todmorden/central-methodist-church/the-gallipoli-oak-centenary-event/e-kxygyv
If the story interests you, it is told in full in the book The Gallipoli Oak. You can get it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/GALLIPOLI-OAK-Martin-Purdy-Dawson/dp/0955447216/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Q2967X2BRJ2G&keywords=The+Gallipoli+Oak&qid=1647006788&sprefix=the+gallipoli+oak%2Caps%2C57&sr=8-
I'm tracing James Barker of 4 Thompson St Rochdale who was a bandmaster in Rochdale in 1911. He was born in Waterbarn in 1846. He also called himself a Professor of Music in 1901. Ring any bells?
Any pictures of Hollingsworth Lake 1963, I lived there and I had lots but lost them in a fire ! This was the year when we had record low temperatures and very heavy snow fall.
St James Church magazine from November 1934 has some interesting advertisements.
The records of 320,000 troops from the Punjab who fought in the First World War have been found in the basement of a Museum in Pakistan. They have been there unread for some 95 years. At present only 45,000 have been made available and a website is still under development. The records are indexed by village of origin, name, fathers name, district, regiment, caste and rank, the efforts of these brave men is often forgotten.

Those who died in WW1 are commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. It is sad that the Neuve-Chapelle Indian Memorial in France, located on the outskirts of the commune of Neuve-Chapelle, in the departement of Pas-de-Calais is seldom visited. This new database however does not just cover those who died but also those who served.
Pictured are servicemen of the Punjab In WW2.
Three Rochdale lads, Grandad's two brothers and cousin
Back in the 60's my father was a Power Knitter. I can't find any info about the occupation. Can anyone help. Thanks.
It’s fantastic to be back in local studies and meeting the friendly and helpful staff
Join the Edgar Wood Society for cream tea and a rare chance to explore Edgar Wood's Long Street Methodist Church and recently renovated school buildings. Saturday 7th August - £10
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