Partnership of archive & local history organisations at Manchester Central Library. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Blogs by volunteers and staff. Visit archivesplus.org for events, visitor information and more.
As the lockdown continues to ease, many of us are still feeling some isolation from our loved ones. We hope Archives+ can help you to stay in touch by taking a look at our popular online memory boxes which can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, finding out what your family’s childhood was like, looking back at the area where they grew up, discovering their fondest childhood memories and maybe uncover some hidden gems in your family’s story.
Whilst many children are off school and some adults are at home, why not take this opportunity to find out about those important stories thus ensuring this history is passed on to the next generation which can often get lost or put off for another day as we lead our busy lives. Sharing memories of days gone by can bring families closer together, listening to elderly relatives can be a comfort for families as they gain an insight into their life stories.
Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover Harpurhey. Below you will find a collection of images from Harpurhey, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Radical Thinking, and Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.
In addition to this blog, the online memory box will be published on the Archives+ Facebook page. Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times.We encourage you to share your findings on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox
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If you are unable to share your photos and stories online, when the libraries reopen bring copies of your family memories into your local library. In the coming year we will produce an exhibition in your local library of selected submissions, shared both online and in person.
Please make sure that if you share any information with us that the person you have spoken to is happy for you to share it with Archives+.When sharing your findings try to avoid sharing too much personal information such as surnames and date of birth as these details can identify your loved ones.
Resources:
Unlocking Your Sound Archive have produced a blog about conducting oral history interviews with family members. The audio clips included in this online memory box have been kindly supplied by Unlocking Your Sound Archive.
New Day Furniture Shop, Rochdale Road (West Side), Harpurhey 1968Conran Street Market, Harpurhey 1972Conran Street Post Office, Middlewood Street from Conran Street facing south, Harpurhey 1968 (closed and derelict by 1972)Conran Street west side, Harpurhey 1959Rochdale Road east side, Harpurhey 1958Conran Street Indoor Market, Harpurhey 19722-10 Queens Road and small shop adjoining Viaduct 1906(1103/52) e01 Mrs. Watson talks about her mother’s family who lived in the Harpurhey area and ran a successful off licence and grocers. Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre
Queens Park Museum and Art Gallery, Manchester 1890 (built in 1884)Hendham Hall, where the present museum in Queens Park stands 1880 (demolished in 1880)Entrance to Manchester General Cemetery, Rochdale Road west side, Harpurhey 1958Harpurhey Road, Central Avenue, construction of bridge over River Irk 1910Mary Taylors House, Harpurhey 1910 (Now Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home)Weber Street, Harpurhey 1901Aerial View, Harpurhey, Christ Church, Rochdale Road, Manchester 1926
Harpurhey Baths, Rochdale Road east side 1958 (now an exhibition space attached to UCEN Manchester)Harpurhey Baths, School Swimming Tuition, Manchester 1952Albert Memorial Church, Whit Walk, Harpurhey 1910(1103/52) e02 Mrs. Watson remembers her mother joining a clothing club to buy outfits for Whit Week “…we always had to have new clothes at Whitsun…” Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives CentreHarpurhey Library 1977. There is a famous photo of the Buzzcocks standing in front of this spectacular wallpaper, taken in 1977 by Jill Furmanovsky. The image is said to be inspiration for their track “Fiction Romance”.Duck Pond, Queens Park, Harpurhey 1910Cintra Cinema which later became The Northern Club, Rochdale Road, No’s 835, 841, 843, west side, Harpurhey 1968OH/2731 Brian Horsfall attended Burgess Street school in Harpurhey just after the Second World War. He talks about the lack of sports equipment there. He was playing for Queens Park Juniors boys team at the time. He tells the story of missing a semi-final because he was asked to go to a trial with Manchester United.
Ogden Street (site of intended New Road to Crumpsall), Ogden’s Court, Harpurhey 1910Child Clinic, Westmoreland Street, Harpurhey 1968Conran Street tip, Harpurhey 1910 Beech Mount Maternity Home, Rochdale Road, Harpurhey 1968Corwen Avenue from Leyland Street, facing South, Harpurhey 1968Clinic from Sunderland Street facing south, Harpurhey ndHarpurhey Baths and Wash House, Rochdale Road, Harpurhey 1970(1103/272(1)) e01 Mrs. Lester recalls the public wash houses “…we used to go in there and wash…it used to be sixpence for an hour…” Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre
Paul Graney built up a unique archive of biography, oral history, radio and folk music from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was involved in the anti-fascist movement and sabotaged a British Union of Fascists (BUF) rally held in Queens Park in the early 1930s. “At the park” photograph Paul Graney ndGRANEY.1021.1 Paul Graney was involved in the anti-fascist movement in the 1930s. Oswald Mosley appeared at a big rally by in Queen’s Park in the early 1930s. Paul explains how he and his anti-fascist colleagues successfully cut the wires to Mosley’s speakers and goes on to describe his injuries from the fight that followed.Carisbrook Street, from Ventnor Street, Harpurhey 1968. Anthony Burgess, writer and composer, was born in Harpurhey 1917 and lived at Carisbrook Street. Sunderland Street from Carisbrook Street facing north, Harpurhey 1968National Union of Sheet Metal Workers and Coppersmiths, Manchester Branch no 2 district, Rochdale Road, Harpurhey 1968
Christ Church, Rochdale Road, east side, Harpurhey 1958 Christ Church School, (C of E – mixed and infants) Rochdale Road, east side, Harpurhey 1958Congregational Church, Independent order of Rechabites, Rochdale Road, east side, Harpurhey 1958Harpurhey High School for Girls, Church Lane, Harpurhey 1972Union Baptist Chapel, Conran Street West Side, Harpurhey 1959Harpurhey Technical High School Manchester 1962Holy Trinity Primary School, Moston Lane North Side, Harpurhey 1959
We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Harpurhey. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .
Hi yes I’ve seen these, was searching for photos of the street as it was when people lived there. It’s where my Mum used to live before the clearances.
I was born in harpur hey in 1946, went to Christ Church school,lived in Boardman St.does anyone else remember the school and street?
I remember you and your family. My name was John Barber then and I lived opposite you at number 33. I also went to Christ Church. My mam (Mary) and me visited your mother (May) in Langley when you moved there in the 50s
Was born at 13 Ventnor Street, on the corner of Middlewood Street in 1963 and lived there till age 7. Some great childhood memories of the old streets, now sadly demolished except for the small part of Ventnor and Beeston Street that still stands. Thanks for putting this together. It’s interesting to have your childhood memories refreshed.
Very interesting photos and comments. My grandfather’s family was living on School Street in 1901, and had moved to Hatfield Street by 1911. Any photos/info about these streets would be welcome!
manchesterarchiveplus.wordpress.com 
Particularly enjoyed listening to Paul Granny’s voice.
Thanks Judith, there are more recording from Paul Graney here https://bit.ly/3dvUzmj Regards Siobhan
Was looking for a photograph of Harpurhey”s Ella Street, but great images.
Thanks Andy – we have just 2 photos referring to Ella Street – see here https://bit.ly/2Z3FP8P Regards Siobhan
Hi yes I’ve seen these, was searching for photos of the street as it was when people lived there. It’s where my Mum used to live before the clearances.
I was born in harpur hey in 1946, went to Christ Church school,lived in Boardman St.does anyone else remember the school and street?
I remember you and your family. My name was John Barber then and I lived opposite you at number 33. I also went to Christ Church. My mam (Mary) and me visited your mother (May) in Langley when you moved there in the 50s
Was born at 13 Ventnor Street, on the corner of Middlewood Street in 1963 and lived there till age 7. Some great childhood memories of the old streets, now sadly demolished except for the small part of Ventnor and Beeston Street that still stands. Thanks for putting this together. It’s interesting to have your childhood memories refreshed.
Very interesting photos and comments. My grandfather’s family was living on School Street in 1901, and had moved to Hatfield Street by 1911. Any photos/info about these streets would be welcome!
Hi Simon, there are a few images of those roads in our local image collection https://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php