Tatham History

Tatham History website is concerned with all aspects of the history of the large parish of Tatham in rural north Lancashire.

It was set up in 2009 by Tatham History Society, which itself came into existence only a few months earlier. The society’s formation followed a Parish Council survey of residents – which had revealed a great interest in local history of the parish – and a series of local history meetings.

The website is the society’s primary means of publishing archive materials, and the results of research, analysis and transcription carried out voluntarily by members; it also includes members’ articles on particular topics. A photographic archive is being built; old newspaper articles and diaries have been transcibed; census, parish register and tithe survey information has been transcibed and analysed; there is a bibliography; and there are articles about the construction of the Haweswater aqueduct through the area, and about Tatham’s portrayal in a painting of J.M.W. Turner.

Future plans for the website include further articles; recordings and transcriptions from an oral history project; transcription of monumental inscriptions from Tatham’s two churches; and publication of extracts from school logs. Data will also be published and analysed relating to wills and inventories; the enclosure in 1858 and subsequent use of upland commons; and the Land Tax survey of 1909-14.

To contribute, or for more information, please contact: Mike Winstanley, Secretary, Tatham History Society, Hindburn Cottage, Millhouses, Lancaster, LA2 8NF.