This week’s online memory box takes a look at Rusholme and Victoria Park. The focus is on the Wilmslow Road area with glimpses into the surrounding streets. More on Platt Fields will be included in a future memory box.
The memory boxes 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. 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.
Below you will find a collection of images from Rusholme and Victoria Park, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 5 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes 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.
Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times. We are especially interested in finding out more about the heritage of the South Asian community in the area, so if you have any local knowledge you would like to share, we would love to hear from you. You can email us at archiveslocalstudies@manchester.gov.uk. Your findings can also be shared on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox
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Twitter @archivesplus
Facebook @archivesplus
If you are unable to share your photos and stories online, when the libraries reopen fully, 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.
Manchester Local Image Collection
Archives+ Flickr
Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre
NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.
Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre
We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Rusholme and Victoria Park. 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 .
manchesterarchiveplus.wordpress.com 
fantastic memories of my childhood and one of the first places where I worked when i started with of Manchester City Council. Brings back wonderful family history.
So taken aback and thrilled to see the past and in a rush to make comments I made spelling errors.
My father worked at the casino picture house wilmslow road for many years as projectionist and assistant manager(can’t remember the year he left) but the following week the place burnt down the cause was a cigerate that hadn’t been put out fell onto the floor in the balcony that was in the fire report.
Good old time as a kid in platt fields park