Thank you for visiting the Cottingley Family Friendly Site ^TM

• CABLE Stephanie - My Grandmother used to breed siamese cats all with the prefix Cottingley and then a word beginning with 'C' such as Coffee, Coco, Cleo etc - I wonder if any of that line still exists locally...
  
  

• HIRD John - David Fisher has an ancestor, John Hird (b1838 in Cottingley). He married David's grandfather's aunt, Ellen Addy Wear. He would like to know more about the family, too.
  Any information please email David.Fisher@terramedia.co.uk
  
  

• BANCROFT Sarah Ann Derek Martin (derek.g.martin@boltblue.com ) is researching his family history, and has an ancestor, named Sarah Ann Bancroft born in 1835, this is her married name, and in the 1861 Census she is shown as being born in Cottingley. She was a widow at that time, and she had two son's and a daughter, in 1861 the eldest name Hudson Bancroft aged 6 , the other named Abraham (his ancestor) aged 2, both born in Manningham, and abagail aged 5 months born in Bradford.
  He would interested in any help in tracing her maiden name and family.
  

• DEAN Thomas I am trying to find information about a relative who lived in Cottingley near Bingley and had a large farm. His name was Thomas Dean and he died in the late 1960's.. He had a wife named Hannah I believe. My Aunt and Uncle visited the area in the summer of 1967 and met several people who knew him. They stayed at the Sun Inn. Thomas was my Mother's Grandfather. Sandra Lauritzen - Cosmopolis - Washington - usa
  Any information please contact - lslauritzen@comcast.net

• LEE George Albert I am looking for my any relatives of my grandad, my dads father. My dad never knew him. We know he has since died, but wondered if anybody knows anything about him. He was cremated at Nab Wood Crematorium on the 8/6/1966, aged 58 years old. His name is George Albert Lee. Any help towards finding any information at all would be clearly welcomed. Contact. Tracey from Hull 07791131333. Thankyou.
  
  
• DICKINSON John
  In 1891 John Dickinson lived at 51 Smith Street. His wife was Anmnie and there were 5 sons - John, William, Harry, Albert, Arthur and one unnamed daughter. The family name changed from Dickinson in the 1881 census to Dickerson in 1909.
  Any information contact Philip Andrew at ANDREWD790@aol.com



• DAWSON - Robert Arthur and Charles Frederick - Artists These two gentlemen were artists in the early 1900's and had many paintings exhibited. It may be that some of their paintings were sold locally in the Bingley area. If you know of any, David ( Robert Arthur's grandson), would be interested in any information. It is known that both men painted Beckfoot Bridge during their time at Bingley.

• HIRD - I am interested in the Hird family who resided in Cottingley for several years about 1810. If you or anyone you know can help me out here I would be most grateful. By the way I'm in Outback Australia so find making the English connections rather difficult at times. (Kez)

• COTTINGLEY FAIRIES - Original prints and negatives. I am attempting to find out the number of Original Cottingley Fairy photographs or negatives in existence. There are collections held by the Brotherton Collection, the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, at least two lots were sold to private collectors in USA, a further collection was sold to an unknown buyer in 2001. If you know of any more please email
  

• PRIESTLEY Charles, Arthur, Gillies Charles and his wife (nee Gillies) resided at Cottingley Hall between 1887 and 1920 approximately. Mrs Priestley came from Apperley Bridge and Mr. Priestley from Thornton. Charles Priestley died in 1893 in Algeria. There were two children - Arthur Geoffrey Briggs Priestley and Gillies Priestley. If you are a descendant of this family or have any information about them, the Cottingley Village History Society would be pleased if you could get in touch. Contact the Secretary
  

• FREAR My father died whilst I was very young and I never really found out much about his history or past family, I was however aware that he was a Yorkshire man. His christened name was Edward Waller Frear and I recall a name of Ada?? maybe his sister.
  I believe he was born around 1895 give or take 5 years.
  He married my mother Nita Lawson Jameson of which I have no history as she was fostered/adopted as a baby.
  Leeds, Newcastle and Durham are places that I remember being mentioned
  If you have any information please e.mail Thomas Frear

• Cottingley Rainbows need a new leader to help with their meetings on Thursday evenings. If you are able to help out and think this could be you, please contact Muriel Baines, the Guide Leader, on (01274) 560 361. Muriel is, even now, sitting beside her phone waiting to put you in the picture and discover, with you, whether this is a piece of service you can offer!
  Incidentally, it's not just the Guides that are short staffed! Every voluntary organisation in Cottingley (Scouts, Senior Citizens, Community Association, Drop-in ) could do so much more if they could count on some friendly, enthusiastic, regular help from able people with time on their hands and a desire to serve in their hearts.
  True, it's hard work - and it's demanding. It will challenge you and stretch you. But you'll make new friends, you'll enrich the lives of others and you'll be helping make Cottingley an even better place for us all to live in! [wh]

• MORTON Leslie married to DEVINE Ellen Cecelia parents of MORTON Fred Clifford lived in Smith Street in the 1920's. If anyone has any information about the Morton or Devine family please email sheenabrown1@aol.com or gbrown3469@aol.com .

• CORBEY Charles and Mabel who lived in Smith Street in the 1930's. If you knew them or have any information about them, their granddaughter would love to know. Please e mail me if you have any information.

• PHOTOGRAPHS AND DOCUMENTS relating to old Cottingley
  The History society would like to borrow photographs and documents for copying in order to preserve past life in the village. It is intended to set up a permanent record of the village and its life, its residents and its buildings. If you have any items you are prepared to lend us for a short time please telephone 01274 820235. All material will, for security, be collected and returned by hand.
  We are also looking to record personal reminiscences. If you would like to tell us your stories of village life in the past please ring the above number.
  

• GLYDE William E of Shipley laid the foundation stone at Cottingley Town Hall on Boxing Day 1863. The records state that he was presented with a silver trowel on that date. Cottingley Village History Society and Cottingley Town Hall Trustees would dearly love to know if this memento is still cherished by someone or any information as to its whereabouts.

• WHITLEY David and WILLIS Martha were the first couple to be married at Cottingley Town Hall on 25th June 1878. Cottingley Town Hall Trustees and Cottingley Village History Society would appreciate any information about this couple, their descendants, family tree etc

• Is anyone interested in volunteering for worthwhile work in Cottingley Primary School?
  John Turner of Bingley Voluntary Action is co-ordinating 'Inter-generational work' in the village and is hoping to enlist the help of some of the more mature people in the locality who may be interested in going into the school to help some of the youngsters with their reading. If you could spare a couple of hours a week please get in touch with him on 01274 781222 - or e.mail me and I will pass any messages on.

• Does anyone know or have any theories about why a small area off Main Street was named
  QUEBEC?

• Does anyone know or have any theories about why a road at the edge of the village was named
  NEW BRIGHTON?

• Whitaker

  I am researching my family history. My mother's maiden name was Whitaker, my grandfather was the last landlord at the old Sun Inn, and my grandmother worked at Cottingley Hall.
  If anyone has any information which may be useful please email Cottingley Connect.
  

For more information, contact Cottingley Connect