By KLTV Newsdesk –
The Huddersfield & District Family History Society has announced the return of their annual family and local history fair on 15 October at Cathedral House, St Thomas’ Road, Huddersfield.
The annual event is always an exciting day for both families and local histories, featuring a range of insightful speakers and a showcase of exhibitors showcase local history society work.
This year the Society is launching their Lockwood Cemetery Project which was started by our volunteers in May 2021 and has just been completed.
Much of the work took place during the latter part of Covid closures, an ideal way for volunteers still to be involved, but in the open air.
The work included photographing and transcribing the inscriptions on all graves in the Lockwood Cemetery on Meltham Road.
The Huddersfield & District Family History Society was formed 35 years ago and is a charitable organisation run by volunteers. It exists to advance public education in family history and genealogy in Kirklees
Lockwood Cemetery (also known as Woodfield Cemetery) will be familiar to most people in Huddersfield, situated between Lockwood and Meltham, and covers 23 acres.
During the fair, there will be opportunities to learn more about ancestors buried at the cemetery with help from volunteers involved in the project.
The first burial recorded was for Alfred Schofield who died on 13 June 1902, he was the son of Charles and Harriet of Deadwaters.
Coincidentally ‘Deadwaters’ is the area of Folly Hall on which Cathedral House was built.
In addition, there are 18 WW1 and 18 WW2 Commonwealth War Graves in the Cemetery.
Lockwood Cemetery also has the fascinating grave extended by local eccentric Jake Mangel Wurzel, as a tribute and in remembrance of Charley Atkinson, famously known to the people of Huddersfield as ‘Itchy Coo’.
Attendees will be able to peruse the society’s historical databases at the fair, and for a small fee, can request an information pack with even more of Itchy Coo’s history and background.
Entry to the fair is £3.00 for adults and free for children under 16.
A full list of speakers and exhibitions can be found on the flyer below.