FAMILY HISTORY research turned into labour of love for a Greenfield man as he uncovered and translated material about Saddleworth from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Peter Hurst first came across the historic Almondbury Manor Court Rolls while he was tracing an ancestor named Theophilus Beaumont who had gone to America.
After years of searching, he discovered some living descendants in Nebraska and obtained records and photos so he could begin to research the family history for them.
He found out that a distant 17th century ancestor from the Almondbury area bec
ame the first Beaumont in Saddleworth after marrying a local girl and moving to the area.
And after looking through court rolls from 1590-1760 for Saddleworth, he became so interested in the records that he decided to translate documents for six other areas too.
Peter said: “Anciently, constables of Saddleworth and their four assistants had to be elected at Almondbury Manor every year, and residents of Quick, as Saddleworth was often then known, also had to appear at these courts for various misdemeanours.
“Hundreds of local people are named along with ancient place names.
“I began by extracting records just for Saddleworth and after a time I had so much material I decided to translate the whole set of records for all seven townships who were required to attend the courts at Almondbury.”
Peter’s translations have been published in two books, ‘In mercy of the lord’ Almondbury Court Rolls 1627-40 and Homagers for the Lord Protector’ Almondbury Manor Court Rolls 1641-60.
And he is already working on part three to cover records from 1661-91.
Peter added: “For anyone interested in local history or genealogy these books would be of great interest.
“These books are the result of many years painstaking research and the material has never before been published. I do not do this work to make money: just to spread the information around to those interested who would never be able to access Latin records.
“They are all over 200 pages and contain many interesting inserts from ancient records and several tables.
For more information about Peter Hurst’s books, which are on sale at local bookshops and Waterstones in Huddersfield, or to purchase one directly, contact him on 01457 876947 or email: phurst9north@yahoo.co.uk
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