Hucknall Torkard Nottinghamshire Family History Guide
Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire has a rich history that dates back many centuries. The area was originally known as Hucknall and is an ancient parish in the county. The parish church, St. Mary Magdalene, has been standing since at least 1560.
In the 19th century, Hucknall Torkard was a thriving village with a significant coal mining industry. The surrounding area had several coal mines, including Annesley Colliery, Hucknall No. 1 Colliery, Hucknall No. 2 Colliery, and Linby Colliery. These mines played a vital role in the local economy, employing many residents and contributing to the prosperity of the mining community.
The village of Hucknall Torkard itself was built along one long street and had a substantial population. Frame-work knitting was a prominent industry in the area, with many stockings being produced. Limestone quarries were also present, providing a source of good-quality limestone for lime production.
The parish church, St. Mary Magdalene, is an ancient edifice with several monuments dedicated to members of the Byron family, who were lords of nearby Newstead Abbey. Notably, the renowned poet Lord Byron was interred in the family vault at this church in 1824. His grave became a place of pilgrimage, with numerous visitors leaving their names in a book kept in the church.
In terms of administration, Hucknall Torkard falls under the county of Nottinghamshire, the civil registration district of Basford, and the Poor Law Union of Basford. The probate court is the Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York, and the diocese is Lincoln. The rural deanery is Nottingham, and the hundred is Broxtowe. The village is located approximately 6 miles north-northwest of Nottingham, with the River Leen flowing past its eastern boundary.
Overall, Hucknall Torkard’s history is intertwined with coal mining, famous literary figures, and a strong sense of community. The village’s past provides a fascinating glimpse into the industrial and cultural heritage of Nottinghamshire.
Status: Ancient Parish
Alternative names: Hucknall
Parish church: St. Mary Magdalene
Parish registers begin:
- Parish registers: 1560
- Bishop’s Transcripts: 1600
Nonconformists include: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, General Baptist, General Baptist New Connexion, Methodist New Connexion, Primitive Methodist, Society of Friends/Quaker, and Wesleyan Methodist.
Table of Contents
Adjacent Parishes
Parish History
A Topographical Dictionary of England 1848
HUCKNALL-TORKARD (St. Mary Magdalene), a parish, in the union of Basford, N. division of the wapentake of Broxtow and of the county of Nottingham, 6 miles (N. N. W.) from Nottingham; containing 2680 inhabitants. The parish comprises 3500 acres, according to the award under an act of inclosure: limestone of good quality is quarried for burning into lime.
Frame-work knitting is carried on to a considerable extent, and great quantities of stockings are made. The village, consisting of one long street, is indifferently built. The river Leen flows past the eastern boundary of the parish.
The living is a perpetual curacy, valued in the king’s books at 4. 18. 1.; net income, 135; patron and impropriator, the Duke of Portland: the tithes were commuted for land in 1769.
The church is an ancient edifice, containing several monuments to different members of the Byron family, lords of Newstead Abbey, about two miles distant. Here lie the remains of the late celebrated poet, who was interred here, on the 16th of July, 1824, in the family vault: in the chancel is a neat mural monument, with an appropriate inscription, to his memory, placed there by his lordship’s sister, the Hon. Augusta Mary Leigh; and a book is kept in the church, wherein the names of several hundred visiters to the poet’s tomb are entered. There is also a monument to his ancestor, Richard, Lord Byron, who, with seven brothers, faithfully served Charles I. during the civil war, and sustained great losses and hardships on account of loyalty to that monarch.
The parish contains places of worship for General Baptists, and Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists.
Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis 1848
Coal Mines in Hucknall Torkard
Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire has a rich history of coal mining. Here are some of the coal mines that have operated in the area:
- Annesley Colliery: Located in the adjacent parish of Annesley, Annesley Colliery was one of the largest coal mines in the area. It was operational between the 1860s and 2000. At its peak, it employed thousands of miners and produced a significant amount of coal.
- Hucknall No. 1 Colliery: Situated in Hucknall, this colliery was active from the late 19th century until 1986. It played an essential role in the local coal industry and provided employment opportunities for many residents.
- Hucknall No. 2 Colliery: Also located in Hucknall, this colliery began operations in the early 20th century and closed in 1967. It was known for producing coal of excellent quality.
- Linby Colliery: Situated in the adjacent parish of Linby, Linby Colliery operated from the 1860s until 1988. It employed a considerable number of workers and contributed to the prosperity of the local mining community.
These are just a few examples of the coal mines that were historically present in the Hucknall Torkard area. Coal mining played a significant role in the region’s economy and shaped the lives of many individuals and families.
Parish Records
FamilySearch
Administration
- County: Nottinghamshire
- Civil Registration District: Basford
- Probate Court: Exchequer and Prerogative Courts of the Archbishop of York
- Diocese: Lincoln
- Rural Deanery: Nottingham
- Poor Law Union: Basford
- Hundred: Broxtowe
- Province: York