The entries for people & families with the surname Ratcliffe are gathered together in this SideTrack.
This Page does not include people with other forms of the surname.
The entries for people with the surname Ratcliffe – and similar surnames – are shown in a separate Foldout
The individuals listed are not necessarily related to each other.
Born in Lightcliffe.
He was
a brick picker-up [1901] /
a miner at the Walterclough Pit of Joseph Brooke Limited [1911] /
a member of St Anne's in the Grove Church, Southowram.
During World War I,
he enlisted early in the War and
served as a Private
with C Company
with the 9th Battalion
Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment).
He died following a German gas attack [19th December 1915] (aged 35).
He was buried in the churchyard at Ypres.
He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial [20],
on the Memorial at Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance,
on Southowram War Memorial,
and on the Memorial at Saint Anne's Church, Southowram
He died in the conflict.
He is remembered on the Roll of Honour at Patmos Congregational Chapel, Todmorden
He was
a printer of Horley Green Road [1905] /
a letterpress printer [1911].
He married (1) Unknown.
In 1905, Mary Hannah married (2) Unknown.
Children:
The family lived at 50 St Albans Road, Halifax [1911]
Born in Warley.
He was
partner in John Ratcliffe & Sons, blanket-makers [until 1858].
He lived at Holling Hall Lane, Warley.
He died at Warley [9th March 1869].
Probate records show that he left effects valued at under £600.
The will was proved by
brother Squire Ratcliffe,
Isaac Dewhirst of Elland (worsted spinner),
and
Joseph Helliwell of Little Longbottom, Warley
In 1905, he was recorded as the proprietor of the Old Model Lodging House, Halifax
He was a partner in Ratcliffe Brothers [until 1872]
In 1852 he went to New Zealand firstly to the Victorian
diggings and then on to the Dunstan rush in Otago where he was a
prominent figure in the Otago goldfields, in the early 1860s.
He eventually settled in Alexandra as a builder and contractor.
He was a Councillor and subsequently Town Clerk of Alexandra, and was
identified with almost every institution in the borough and district.
He was a noted cricketer in his time, and played in one team against
the first All England Eleven which visited Victoria.
He was the highest scorer on that occasion, a prize bat being
presented to him on the stage by the then celebrated actor Sir
William Don.
Until around 1895, he lived in Wellington with his daughter, Mrs
J. Grattan Grey, wife of the Chief of the Hansard staff.
In 1896, he returned to England to see his surviving relatives.
He died here when an attack of apoplexy carried him off
He was a case packer [1909].
On 23rd October 1909, he married Frances Nicholl [1885-1937]
at St Augustine's Church, Pellon.
Children:
The family lived at 29 Green Square, New Pellon.
During World War I,
he served as a Stoker 1st Class
with the Royal Navy
aboard the cruiser HMS Cressy.
He was killed in action [22nd September 1914] (aged 22)
when his ship was torpedoed by German Submarine U-9, and
sank off the Dutch coast with the loss of 560 crew.
He died 22nd September 1914.
He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial [5],
and on the Memorial at Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance.
In 1921, Frances married George Earnshaw
Born in Rochdale.
He was
a woollen manufacturer [1885] /
a woollen mill (manager) [1891] /
a manager woollen mill [1901] /
a blanket manufacturer [1911].
In 1887, he married Ada Mary Howorth [1864-1932] in Halifax.
Children:
The family lived at
Ada Mary died 23rd December 1932.
Probate records show that she left effects valued at £4,315 5/8d.
Probate was granted to
John Lloyd Eastwood (worsted spinner)
Horace died in Harrogate [25th June 1940].
Probate records show that he left effects valued at £18,038 14/11d.
Probate was granted to
John Lloyd Eastwood (worsted spinner)
and
Alfred Cecil Sharp (medical practitioner)
He married Unknown.
Children:
He lived at 6 Alexandra Street, Halifax [1905]
He was a muffin baker.
In 1878, he married Maria Smith [1851-1935] in Halifax.
Children:
The family lived at
Of Green House, Midgley
He married (1) Unknown.
In 1901, he married (2) Susannah Murgatroyd
He became Beadle at Halifax and macebearer to the Mayor of Halifax in 1848 and officiated at the opening of Halifax Town Hall [1863]
Born in Mixenden.
He was
a member of Mount Zion Methodist Chapel, Ogden /
a member of Bradshaw Primitive Methodist Church /
a cap fly & spindle maker [1901] /
a brewery boiler stoker [1908] /
a conductor with Halifax Corporation Tramways /
employed by Smith, Bulmer & Company Limited at Mixenden.
In 1908, he married Laura Baylis at Elland Parish Church.
In reports of her husband's death [1917], she was described as
being in a very delicate state of health
Children:
The family lived at
During World War I,
he enlisted [31st July 1916], and
served as a Private
with the 27th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion
Northumberland Fusiliers.
He was stationed at Newcastle & Catterick.
He went to France [8th January 1917].
He sustained gunshot wounds to his left arm & legs [19th March 1917]
& was hospitalised in No.4 General Hospital, Camiers, France.
Hs condition began to improve but he relapsed and died [24th March
1917] (aged 36).
He was buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France [XXII C 13].
He is remembered on the Memorial at Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance,
and on Bradshaw War Memorial
Died at the age of 100 [20th May 1871].
See
Longevity
He was
a handloom weaver /
a woollen manufacturer /
a retired woollen manufacturer [1851]
He married Unknown.
Children:
John died in 1851.
Probate records show that he left an estate valued at £200.
His son Squire was the executor
Later, became a coal carter with his sons and sons-in-law and they
had 6 or 8 horses working from the Dulesgate pits.
He enjoyed dabbling in the law, and although not qualified he often
represented his fellow farmers and friends in any legal disputes they
had.
In 1830, a newspaper report on such a case said
He married Sarah Stansfield [1786-1851].
Children:
The family lived at
Sarah and John died at Lower Woodfield Farm.
The couple were buried at St Mary's Church, Todmorden
John Travis records
He died in the conflict.
He is remembered on the Roll of Honour at Patmos Congregational Chapel, Todmorden
Born in Warley.
He was
a wool sorter [1851] /
a book keeper [1861] /
a woollen manufacturer [1871] /
partner in Ratcliffe Brothers [until 1872] /
a woollen manufacturer [1881].
In [Q3] 1859, he married Mary Hannah Lees [1833-1897] in Halifax.
Children:
The family lived at
John died in Llandudno [22nd November 1885].
Probate records show that he left a personal estate valued at £4,611 5/7d
[Resworn £4,663 17/1d].
Probate was granted to sons
Lafayette,
Horace,
and
Joseph Ogden of Oxenhope (waste dealer)
He was a cart driver.
In 1865, he married Sarah Park [1843-19??] in Halifax.
Children:
The children were born in Halifax.
The family lived at 20 Bradshaw Row, Halifax [1891, 1901].
In 1901, daughter Mary was head of the household
Born in Todmorden.
He was
a telegraph clerk [1861] /
a railway clerk [1871].
In 1870, he married Mary Hannah Wilson [1853-1914] in Todmorden.
Children:
In 1871, the family were living with John's widowed father at
Todmorden Railway Station.
In 1883, his father bought the Golden Lion, Todmorden
for John, and he ran the pub from 1883 until his death in 1891.
He died at the Golden Lion, Todmorden [1891].
After his death, Mary Hannah took over [until 1907].
She died in 1914
Born in Halifax.
He was
a woollen manufacturer [1871] /
partner in Ratcliffe Brothers [until 1872]
In [Q3] 1850, he married Elizabeth Slater [1828-1???].
Children:
The family lived at Green Hill, Midgley [1871]
He was
a coal miner of Ovenden [1873] /
a coal miner [1881, 1891] /
a tool sharpener (coal pit) [1901].
In 1873, he married Martha Ann Crabtree [1845-1???] at Halifax Parish Church.
Children:
The family lived at
Living with them [in 1881] was Martha Ann's widowed
mother Grace Crabtree [b 1809]
Partner in John Ratcliffe & Sons, blanket-makers at Denholme,
Luddendenfoot.
He married Betty [1803-1873].
Children:
Joshua died at Mytholmroyd [3rd July 1866].
Probate records show that he left effects valued at under £8,000.
The will was proved by
sons:
Thomas,
Edwin,
Joseph,
and
John
He was
a woollen merchant [1885] /
a photographer & artist at Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge [1905]
In 1884, he married Emma Foster in Halifax.
Children:
Born in Midgley.
He was a cotton weaver.
During World War I,
he served as a Private
with the 2nd/5th Battalion
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own).
He died 4th June 1918 (aged 28).
He was buried at the Bienvillers Military Cemetery [XXI B 15].
He is remembered in the Todmorden Garden of Remembrance
Born in Todmorden.
He was
a porter (railway) [1851] /
a railway station inspector [1861, 1871] /
inn keeper at the Black Swan, North Street, Todmorden [1881] /
carting agent & publican at the Black Swan Inn, North Street, Todmorden [1891] /
Overseer of the Poor for Todmorden /
Worshipful Master of Prudence Lodge.
In 1845, he married (1) Betty Farrar / Farrow
[1821-1864] at Rochdale.
Children:
In 1871, he married (2) widow Mary Ann Greenwood, at Christ Church, Todmorden.
Mary Ann was inn keeper at the Black Swan, Todmorden.
Peter took over as landlord of the Black Swan.
He bought the Inn in 1875.
In 1883, he bought the Golden Lion, Todmorden for his son
John.
The family lived at
Living with them [in 1871] were son John and family.
Living with him in 1881 was his daughter Caroline (innkeeper's
manager) and niece Sarah Taylor [aged 29] (assistant inn
manager).
In 1901, Peter was a licensed victualler living with his
grandson Walter Ratcliff and family at 31 & 33 Burnley Road,
Todmorden.
Peter and his wives were buried at Christ Church, Todmorden
along with Mary Ann's sister Sarah Greenwood, who died
at Wellington Terrace 13th October 1897 aged 72 years [Row 32 Grave 6]
He took over Lower Woodfield Farm from his father and was
there most of the rest of his life.
In 1863, he had 20 sheep and lambs impounded by the moor overlooker,
James Pearson, for allowing them to graze on common land
when Lower Woodfield had no grazing rights.
Richard then charged James Pearson with cruelty to
animals, stating his sheep had not been properly fed whilst impounded.
In 1871, Richard had a brush with a prostitute in Rochdale.
She stole £40 from him in a
He married Sarah Ann Sutcliffe.
They had no children.
After his death, Lower Woodfield was taken over by his
cousin Reuben Ratcliffe.
Born in Holmfield.
He was
a worsted mill hand [1891] /
a road paviour labourer [1901] /
a setter / paviour's labourer for Halifax Corporation Highways [for 18 years 1911] /
employed by Smith, Barker & Wilson.
In 1907, he married Ellen Baines [1879-19??] in Halifax.
They lived at 19 Gordon Street, Holmfield, Halifax [1911].
During World War I,
he served as a Private
with the 16th Battalion
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own).
He was reported wounded and missing – possibly captured – at
Bullecourt [3rd May 1917].
He died as a POW at Cassel, Germany [8th May 1917] (aged 39).
He was buried at the Niederzwehren Cemetery [IX E 10]
He is remembered on the Memorial at Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance,
and on the Memorial at Saint Bernard's Catholic Church
Partner in John Ratcliffe & Sons, blanket-makers.
In April 1865, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent.
The manufacturing business was carried on under the name Ratcliffe, Brothers, & Company at Mytholmroyd.
Squire carried on the woollen business on his own account at
Rochdale.
On 14th July 1851, he married Sarah Higgins [1812-1876]
at Manchester Parish Church.
Children:
The children were born in Bury.
The family lived at Rochdale [1861].
Squire died at Bury Road, Rochdale [7th February 1876].
Probate records show that he left effects valued at under £25,000.
The will was proved by
John Lord of Coldwell Brow, Rochdale (salesman)
and
John Leach of 93 Tweedale Street, Rochdale (yarn agent)
See
West End Tavern, Sowerby Bridge
Born in Warley.
He was
an overlooker of woollen power looms [1851] /
woollen manufacturer employing 70 hands [1871] /
partner in Ratcliffe Brothers.
On 2nd August 1846, he married (1) Alice Wrigley [1825-1861] at Halifax Parish Church.
Children:
On 26th December 1864, he married (2) Emma Smith [1839-1909] at Halifax Parish Church.
The family lived at
Hollin Hall Lane, Warley [1851]
and
Albert House, Greenhill, Mytholmroyd [1899].
In 1872, when Thomas wanted to expand Ratcliffe Brothers,
his brothers did not agree and the partnership was dissolved.
Thomas took over Albert Mill, Mytholmroyd and set up Thomas Ratcliffe & Company Limited.
He had no sons to whom he could pass on the business,
and left it to his sons-in-law, John Culpan and David Smith, who had joined the company in 1880.
Culpan and Smith fell out and the firm was split into
two separate and independent companies.
Thomas died 11th February 1899.
Probate records show that he left effects valued at £6,559 6/8d.
Probate was granted to
Arthur James Smith (mill manager)
and
Ernest Smith (mercantile clerk)
Born in Southowram.
He was
a carter of Brighouse [1867] /
stoker at stone quarry [1871] /
a cartwright [1881, 1891] /
a wheelwright [1901, 1911]
In 1867, he married Elizabeth Heley [1846-1890] at Halifax
Parish Church.
She was a mill hand (woollen) [1881]
Children:
The family lived at
Living with them [in 1881] was visitor Abraham Jenkinson [b
1830] (doll dresser)
He died in the conflict.
He is remembered on the Roll of Honour at Patmos Congregational Chapel, Todmorden
Born in Todmorden.
He was public house manager Black Swan, Todmorden [1901].
In 1896, he married Ann, daughter of John Farrar, in Todmorden.
Children:
The family lived at 31 & 33 Burnley Road, Todmorden [1901].
Living with them in 1901, was grandfather Peter Thomas Ratcliffe (licensed victualler).
Walter died at St George's Hospital, Westminster
Question:
Does anyone know which beerhouse this may have been?
In December 1878, he went into liquidation
He was
educated at Halifax Parish Church School /
employed by Denham's.
In [Q2] 1930, he married Nellie Kennedy in Halifax.
Children:
They lived in Halifax.
During World War II,
he enlisted [1941], and
served as a Leading Aircraftman
with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
He died of illness on the way home from India [19th November 1944] (aged 41).
He was buried at the Maala Cemetery [H 112].
He is remembered on the Memorial at Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance
He died in the conflict.
He is remembered on the Roll of Honour at Patmos Congregational Chapel, Todmorden
Mary Hannah was the daughter of George Tiffany and
widow of Ernest Booth
Frances was born in Halifax
Ada Mary was born in Manchester
Maria was born in Burford
Susannah was the daughter of Thomas Murgatroyd
Laura, born in Monmouthshire, was the daughter of John
Baylis.
One of the witnesses for the defence, John Ratcliffe, a kind of
hedge-lawyer, excited much mirth by his provincial dialect, and the
manner in which he replied to the questions of Mr Brandt in his cross
examination
He was a familiar figure, often seen riding on horseback to the
Manchester markets wearing white knee breeches and a top hat
Sarah was born in Ovenden
Elizabeth was born in Halifax
Martha Ann was born in Ovenden, the daughter of Grace
& William Crabtree, weaver
Betty was born in Thorner (?)
house of ill fame
Ellen was born in Elland
Sarah was born in Manchester, the daughter of William
Higgins, fustian cutter
Alice was born in Warley
Elizabeth was born in Clifton, the daughter of John
Heley, stone dresser.
John Ratcliffe was an early member of the family.
See
Jack Uttley
Entries for people with this and similar surnames are shown in a separate Foldout
There are over 40 entries on
the Calderdale Companion
for people with the surname Ratcliffe,
as discussed in this SideTrack.
This count does not include other forms of the surname.
Unattached BMDs for Ratcliffe:
Marriages
1805,
1870,
1885,
1905,
1906,
1907,
1910
©
Malcolm Bull 2017 /
[email protected]
Revised 12:59 on 11th October 2017 / mmr118 / 59