Huddersfield & District Family History Society has been carrying out research on graves at the former St John’s Church, now the Newsome Centre community hub.

Volunteers have transcribed gravestones and uncovered some fascinating stories about the people buried there.

These will form the basis of graveyard tours on Saturday September 13 (10am-3pm) and Sunday September 14 (10am-2pm) as part of the Heritage Open Days festival.

The society’s memorial inscription volunteers have used parish records, censuses and local newspaper reports in their research.

In doing so, a theme of triumph and resilience intertwined with tragedy has emerged.

For example, one Newsome resident lost his father in a tragic accident at Berry Brow railway station. He took over his father’s coal merchant business, built it up and became very successful.

Further tragedies followed when he lost two of his daughters as young women and his only son died fighting in the Boer War.

Despite these tragic events, he went on to become an Alderman and JP, representing the Almondbury and Newsome Board, and eventually served as Mayor of the County Borough of Huddersfield.

Gravestones and memorial inscriptions are a window into the lives of a local community.

Celebrate Huddersfield’s architecture both historical and modern at Heritage Open Days festival

These graveyard tours will be an ideal opportunity for local residents and those with an interest in the history of Newsome and the surrounding area to find out more.

There will also be an exhibition of research into the names inscribed on the pulpit of the local men who fought and died in World War Two.

The event will include the opportunity to obtain advice from Huddersfield & District Family History Society on researching your family tree or to find out more about the work involved in researching a house history.

Volunteers from the Newsome Centre will be on hand to explain the history and interesting features of the former Newsome St John’s Church and there will be refreshments available.

For more information or to contact Huddersfield & District Family History Society go to www.hdfhs.org.uk

Photo courtesy: Huddersfield & District Family History Society.