Hi

Now living in Leicestershire, England, I was born and brought up in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire and have been tracing my father's side of the family - the Brougham's. Inevitably as I got hooked, I progressed onto my mother's side, the Ledgards and Huntingtons, and my fathers maternal family, the Taylors.

 

The Brougham's have been in Huddersfield since the early 1800's. It looks like they moved from the Collingham/Wetherby areas of Yorkshire. My goal is to see if I can trace them back to the small hamlet of Brougham near Penrith. With Brougham, being a locational name, it is understood that all Broughams originally descend from this small Westmorland hamlet - with historical records lost, corrupted and often full of errors, I think I have set myself a difficult challenge.

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It was on a holiday visit to Brougham in my 30's that I got put in touch with a one name genealogist Peter Brougham Wyly.  Peter had spent many years and hours in libraries and archives researching Broughams.  He'd struggled to place the Huddersfield Broughams in his research so I set out to find out more.  I was hooked and got my Dad addicted. Peter, who unfortunately has now passed away, was a real mentor and coach, showing me the ropes and cross referencing my research with his own.  I have so much to thank him for, but particularly his enthusiasm, passion and support.

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I've struggled with some brick walls though as I got back to the late 1700's.  Records seem to have been lost or are hiding in the archives - but I'm not giving up hope!  I'm a forever optimist. Still lots of assumptions and avenues to pursue. There are now lots of records online which wasn't the case when I first started - it's so easy to make assumptions and mistakes - I'm a purest who really needs to verify the facts before I make the link.  Online records have been brilliant, but I still love the excitement of receiving birth, marriage and death certificates from the GRO.  It feels like I'm holding history in my hands!  I'm old school.

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As I waited for new doors to open on my Brougham research, I then started work on my mother's ancestors.

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The Ledgards were based in the Mirfield/Hopton area of West Yorkshire. They seem to have been boat builders, boot makers and have had the usual professions for this area such as coal mining and textiles. The Huntington's are based more in Huddersfield and Kirkheaton. It would appear like they moved west from Pontefract/Selby areas in the 1800's. The Taylors have been in Huddersfield a long time and this is quite a common name for the area. This group of Taylors lived in and around Meltham. Emma Taylor (nee LIMB) moved to the area from Nottingham from a lacemaking family. I am interested in hearing from anyone who feels they may have links to any of these people or if you feel we can assist each other with our research.

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I recently submitted my DNA for testing and it's been wonderful to meet up with distant relatives around the country, and even distant cousins as far away as Hawaii.

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I am a member of Ancestry.com where my family trees are published. Members can check out my profile here.

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David Brougham

All Things Brougham