Other Bickerstaff references on the "net"

This section also includes email links to Bickerstaff/e/s who have emailed me to say hi, but from whom biographical and other details are still awaited.

Tony Walton who lives in New Zealand writes:

Subject: re: Bickerstaff surname

Thanks for telling me about your web site. May I add a few notes about my BICKERSTAFFs? It is still rather sketchy information at this stage.

My great grandmother was Martha MATTHEWS (nee BICKERSTAFF)(1849-1911). She was the daughter of Edward and Clara BICKERSTAFF. The children of Edward and Clara were Jane (born c.1835 at Wigan), Mary (1838, Wigan), Ellen (c.1840, Bolton), Joseph (1843, Bolton), Dinah (c.1846, Manchester), Martha (1849, Manchester), and Jacob (c.1853, Manchester). Edward BICKERSTAFF was a boilermaker and was born at Blackpool in c.1810 according to the 1851 census records. I cannot, however, identify his baptism in the Bispham parish records, nor do I know when or where he died. His wife, Clara BICKERSTAFF, was a widow living in Preston in 1881. Her death (aged 80) was registered at Preston in the 1st Quarter of 1894.

I know little of the older children but Dinah married Elijah HEATH at Manchester in 1866 and Jacob married at Preston in 1878. My great grandmother Martha married James McKENNA at Manchester in 1871. They had at a daughter, Jane (c.1877, Manchester). Martha s second husband was Robert MATTHEWS (c.1849-1900). They had two sons, George (c.1882, Manchester) and Thomas (c.1890, Rochdale), and a daughter, Dinah (1884, Rochdale). Dinah MATTHEWS (1884-1963) was my maternal grandmother.

Tony Walton can be contacted via email to Bruce McFadgen at the email address: mcfadgen (at) actrix.gen.nz, or to mcfadgen (at) clear.net.nz.

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Isaac Bickerstaffe, dramatic writer, 1735 - 1787. Born in Ireland in 1735. At the age of eleven he was appointed one of the pages to Lord Chesterfield, then lord-lieutenant of Ireland. His earliest production ("Leucothoe") was printed in 1756, but never acted. Between 1760 and 1771 he produced a score of pieces for the stage, and enjoyed the society of the most famous men of his time. From an honourable position he afterwards sank into the deepest ignominy. He had been an officer in the marines, but was dismissed from the service under discreditable circumstances. In 1772, being suspected of a capital crime, he fled abroad where he lived in exile for many years. Isaac died in 1787 according to one source (but not until after 1812 according to "Who's Who"). You can read some of his work here. More details can be found here.

David Bickerstaff, actor

David R. Bickerstaff is a Principal of Bickerstaff and Whatley Consulting Actuaries based in Indian Wells, California

Quinton Durell Bickerstaff, born 14/9/1918

Glenn Bickerstaff, architect, 1910-93

Bernie Bickerstaff, NBA Coach

Bickerstaff information not on the "net"

Isaac Bickerstaff, Sen., author of "Twelve Prophesies for the Year 1711", (source: library reference PR3726.S95 v.2 1)

William Bickerstaff, antiquary, was born in Leicester on 17 July 1728. He was appointed under-master of the Lower Free Grammar School, then being successively curate at most of the churches at Leicester, and also at Great Wigston and Ayleston. He died suddenly at his lodgings in Leicester on 26 Jan 1789 (source: "Who's Who").

Edward Bickersteth (1786-1850), evangelical divine, was the fourth son of Henry Bickersteth, surgeon, of Kirkby Lonsdale, Westmoreland. His third eldest brother was Henry, Lord Langdale, master of the rolls. Edward worked first at the Post Office, then as an articled clerk in a solicitor's office, and then travelled extensively while working for a missionary society, and finally settled in England as a clergyman (source: "Who's Who").

"Bickerstaff of Glenavy Parish, County Antrim". Bruce Bickerstaff has this detailed three page document - please contact him (me) if it might be of interest. It relates to the period (approx) 1650 to 1850 and many of these Bickerstaff's lived in Lisburn near the border with County Down. It was passed on to him by an Australian descendant of this line of Bickerstaff's.

Bruce,

As far as I am aware I have no connection to the Bickerstaff family. I did however discover the attached document in researching my McCalmont family.

By the looks of the certificate Elizabeth had David out of wedlock & changed her mind about further involvement with the father, Thomas Bickerstaff.

As it may be a little difficult to read the scan I have transcribed the details below:

Birth registered in the district of Carrickfergus, Union of Larne, County of Carrickfergus (which is wrong, it should be County of Antrim)

Registration number: 381
Date of Birth: 14 June 1871
Place of Birth: Silverstream, Carrickfergus
Child's Name: David, male
Father: Thomas Bickerstaff, Silverstream, Carrickfergus
Mother: Eliza Jane McCalmont
Informant: Martha McCammond, Silverstream, Carrickfergus
Registration date: 30 June 1871
Registrar: Josias Wilson Patrick

Roger McCalmont (Email: rmcgene(at)yahoo.ca )

Messages from visitors to the Bickerstaff/e page

Hi Bruce, very interesting pages on Bickerstaffe. I was there some three weeks ago visiting My Uncle Sid from Four Lane Ends. My Mother a Rigby, was brought up there as a young girl during the war, with her grandad - my great grandad Rigby. My family now live in Ormskirk just up St Helens Road. I've sent a print out of your home page for my mum to look at. My mums uncle was the manager of Bickerstaffe Colliery. If you ever want any information on the place let me know and I'll see what I can dig up for you.

There used to be a trades union leader of the Postal Workers I think in the UK called Rodney Bickerstaff.

I have many friends in Bickerstaffe, mainly farmers and I went to school with Deborah Winstanley who's parents kept the Stanley Gate Pub. Interestingly, they have in the last few years repaired the old leg stocks opposite the Stanley Gate Pub.

I've just been looking at a very early 1800's map of Ormskirk district which I aquired in my Estate Agency days working with Edward Jackson's Land Agency offices in Ormskirk. (I was involved in the sale of the Bickerstaffe Windmill when it was converted for residential use and many farms also in the area. Barrow Nook Hall was another sale we were involved in the former home of Richard Seddon Priminister of New Zealand.) It shows in quite some detail the Bickerstaffe area before any major roads went through. Bickerstaffe Hall is a prominant feature, the finger posts and stocks are shown as mentioned above. If you give me a mailing address I could photocopy the relavent parts and send them to you for interest.

Regards

Chris Hawkes
Melbourne, Australia
??? email address now invalid
30 August 1996

Subject: Four Lane Ends, Bickerstaffe

Hello Chris & Bruce

I was fascinated to see the reference to Four Land Ends on the message that appears on the World Wide Bickerstaffe Page.

My mother's maiden name was Enid Large and she grew up during the second world war in Four Lane Ends. She was the daughter of Ted Large (1897-1960) and Ann Forshaw (1896-197?) and has an older sister Monica and younger brother Trevor.

I've shown her your message, and she remembers going to Bickerstaffe school near Bickerstaffe Hall and remembers that there were Rigbys at the school. She also thinks her mother's cousin Kathleen might have been a Rigby or been the common law wife of a Rigby, having four children while also living in Four Lanes End. She also thinks her father's father may have worked at Bickerstaffe Colliery where you say your mum's uncle was the manager - she is not sure as she says this closed down before the second world war.

Among names she remembers from Four Lane Ends are Marie Ellard who emigrated to Melbourne, Australia when she married after the war. She also remembers Thelma Walley, the Bimpsons (Eileen, Jean, Dorothy who was around my mum's age, and Kathleen) plus Alan Scarisbrick and John Grace.

She says her father Ted Large was at one time treasurer of the Four Lane Ends Mission, the local Sunday school, where a John Latham was superintendent. She also remembers going to Ormskirk Grammar School with many local farmer's children.

I'd be interested to know if this sparks off any reminiscences.

Best Wishes

Guy Campos
London, England
Email: camposguy(at)hotmail.com
1 March 1997

Hello, Bruce. Hope Bickerstaffs and Bickersteths everywhere won't be overly offended when they learn that, some years ago, as a fledgling caricaturist and editorial cartoonist, I adopted Isaac Bickerstaff as my nom de plume. The name has served me in good stead and, after all this time, I almost feel like one of the family! Pax vobiscum, Don Evans aka Isaac Bickerstaff

Subject: The Bickerstaffe family tree

My Grandfather wrote the story of Blackpool and the story of Blackpool lifeboat whose coxswain as you will know was a very famouse Bickerstaffe. He later became the mayor. I have been in contact with Steven in Canada for some time now, and if there is anything that I can help you with I will be happy to do so. I still live in The Blackpool area and am aware of most of its history.

Gwenda Ayrton

Subject: A Bickerstaff -- in the 17th Century

Hi, Bruce:

I haven't been a Bickerstaff since the late seventeenth century, when in 1688 a gggg+ grandmother, Elizabeth Bickerstaff, married a George Hall in Kingston, Ulster County, NY. I think her father may have been a Robert Bickerstaff, an English soldier (his name appear in local records from time to time). However, I've never found any genealogical info. on this branch of the Bickerstaffs, beyond mention of the marriage. Are there any American Bickerstaffs out there, who originate from New York State? Any English Bickerstaffs, where a son Robert, born ca. say 1650 or so went for a soldier?

Thanks! Enjoyed your site!

Nancy Strickland
Washington, DC

Bruce - I'm not a Bickerstaff but there's some connection. In my genealogy research on Billingsleys and Robinsons, I found a six-page letter to my grandmother from "Cousin Mary Bickerstaff" of Dennis, Mississippi. It was written in 1944 when she was in her late 70's. The two cousins hadn't corresponded in years and in the letter she has LOTS of news and many names and even dates. The names haven't meant much to me yet, but could be of interest to someone. I didn't see any Mississippi references, but I hope this is the right place to send to! Really enjoyed the page.

Sonya Scarbrough

Date: Tue, 12 May 1998

Subject: Bickerstaff relations

Hi Bruce. My name is Steve Saylor and I am doing some research on my mothers, mothers side of the family. I hope I am not wasting your time but thought I'd give you a shot. My mothers mothers father was John David Bickerstaff who settled around Hill Co TX in the late 1800's. Supposedly his mother was Cynthia Ann Parker but don't know his fathers name other than it was Bickerstaff. Cynthia Ann was stolen by the Commanche from the settlement when she was a little girl and was raised by the Commanche. She had two children by the chief. The son was Quanah Parker, the last of the Commanche chiefs. Cynthia then left the Commanche and moved back to civilization where she married the Bickerstaff that was John David's father (my maternal great grandfather on my mothers mothers side. I know it's a long shot but maybe you can help me contact someone else that might have some info. I'm sending a link to my website. Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks

Steve Saylor
saylors3(at)cybernet1.com
http://www.cybernet1.com/fossils

Oh by the way, I really enjoyed your website and reading of the history of the Bickerstaff name. I believe my grannie mentioned that her fathers father spoke with a stiff broag.