Genealogy Chat

I sent for a copy of my gg-grandfather's birth certificate (by the way - Oldham Records Office take a bow for super-speedy service) thinking he was born in Oldham and according to the certificate he was born at Lyon Dam, Oldham. It gets a bit strange now - he was born in November 1846 but not registered until April 1847. A time of birth is also registered. I thought births had to be registered within six weeks or a fine had to be paid. I can't find any trace of Lyon Dam in Oldham but there is a Lyon Dam in Scotland built sometime in the 1800s. I'm wondering if his parents were working there when he was born. I understand that times of birth are always on Scottish birth certificates. I've looked at Scotlands People but can't find his birth registered so I don't think he's been registered there as well as England. Does anyone know if there has ever been a Lyon Dam in Oldham or if there are any lists of those who worked on the dam in Scotland?

I live very near to Oldham, I have attended college there and worked there too, I have never heard of a area named Lyon Dam. The closest name to Lyon Dam that I know of is 'Dam head' which is in Oldham, but I doubt That It will be the same place! Lib

Just googled and got this off the net - I'm sure it's nothing to do with your relative but just to prove the place did exist: I will go back and see if I can find anything else. JOHN THOMAS SWINBURNE, born c.1857; a Labourer when he married aged 20 on 7 November 1877 at the Parish Church, Oldham, Lancaster MARTHA HOLLINSWORTH, (daughter of JOHN HOLLINSWORTH, Blacksmith), born about 1857 Manchester, Lancashire; Martha was also aged 20 at their marriage and their residence at the time was Lyon Dam, Oldham; they are on the 1881 census at 1 Granville Street, Chadderton, Lancashire, with their two eldest children, John was a Cotton Cardroom Jobber; and on the 1901 census at 43 Slater Street, Chadderton, Lancashire, John a 'Lap Carrier Cotton' aged 43 and Martha aged 43 with 6 children; Martha died on 13 March 1924 in Blackpool and John died on 2 April 1924 also in Blackpool Dea x

Further info: I have found a map reference to your place name 'Lyon Dam' in the Old Maps web site http://www.old-maps.co.uk In the map reference for Oldham, Lancashire & Furness (grid reference 392500,404500)there is an area grouping of such places as 'Lyon House', Lyon Cotton Mills, and what look like 'Lyon Dam' just off 'Manchester Street'. Dea

Thank you for your replies - it looks as if there was a place called Lyon Dam in Oldham but it seems to have kept a very low profile! Dea - not my rellies - mine was a James Ashton but thanks for looking.

The area of Lyon Dam was at the corner of Lyon Dam St. and West Street near to a pub called the Fiddling David. Lyon Dam Street itself was a renamed portion of Warm Lane in the area of present day Fletcher Close and Vale Drive off the lower part of West Street. Jay.