Genealogy Chat

I'm trying to find out more about a murder that happened in Great Harwood but the details I have are very scant.

The info that I am trying to expand upon are as follows:

Jessie Barker owned a shop in Great Harwood. I believe she was unmarried. She was murdered and her assailant was never caught. I'm not even sure when this happened. It was possibly anytime between 30's and 60's.

I've checked the Times archive, googled etc. but have come to a blank.

I'm trying to find this info for the niece of Jessie's who is elderly (hence the lack of details)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I live outside Great Harwood Janet, can I help ?
Joan

Hi Joan,
Does any of this sound familiar to you? I guess that the murder took place quite some time ago so must have been quite a shock to the local community. (I know people still talk about a murder that took place 45 years ago in the part of London I grew up in)

I have contacted someone who has Barkers from Great Harwood in the hope that she may have Jessie in her tree.

Thank you for your offer, I may get back to you if I can narrow down the time frame etc.

Doesn't sound familiar but I am from the next generation. You can pm me some details if you like and I can see what I can do. I also know some Barkers from Great Harwood , the next town to me.. My father and his family were born there and grew up there 1925 onwards. Joan

I can't believe it. After moths of idly looking I've just found Jessie mentioned on a Yahoo group.

It appears that the murder was much later than I imagined, it was 1972. It appears Barker was Jessie's married name and her grandson, Alan still lives in the area.
At last I have a starting point to find more info from.

Go to Google. Type in: murder in Great Harwood
then get: Murder Most Horrid - News- Accrington Observer. The Bronco Bill Murder 1935
Marie

I am a great nephew and would be interested to know/meet the niece mentioned. There was no grandson with the name Alan but there are 3 grandchildren living in the area whose names I know. johnrfischer@hotmail

Hi John

Welcome to the boards.

This is a very old thread and the chances of the posters returning after such a long time is slim.

It would be far more productive if you click on their name and send them a personal message. This way you will be able to see if they have read it because the green envelope disappears if you look in your sent box.

Good luck with your search

Could you please remove your email address John? It is against GRs T&C for your own protection. GR is not a secure site.

If anyone wishes to contact you, they can send you a PM in the same way TootyFruity has suggested you contact Janet. :-)