Genealogy Chat

Hi, I'm trying to find out about Port Sunlight as there is a family tradition that we have some connection to it. Does anyone know where the records would be held? The family story is that through the Hulmes in the late 19th c we are related to 'the owners' - I know that's most unlikely! :~) Curious what the connection is. My Gran and great aunt used to visit the relations there every year and come back with a years supply of cleaning stuff and food parcels. Their father had fallen out with these mystery relations for some reason. Years later my great aunt said that there had been an inheritance + that it had been advertised in the paper that if you were related to apply as there was no obvious next of kin. She said they'd not applied because ' they'd had nowt to do with em when they were wick so they wern't gonna go after their money now they were dead' - something that my mother bewailed more than once! :~) Any ideas how I could investigate this? I assume that this ad would have been in a Lancashire newspaper? They lived in Accrington. Where do you start looking for this sort of thing? I've only done things online so far and don't know where to start. Any ideas would be much appreciated! Julie

Hi The owners of Port sunlight with the Lever family, and if you go to Port Sunlight there is a musuem there it might be worth a look. Port Sunlight comes under Lower Bebbington for the Census District Regards Cheryl

The main connection with the Lever Brothers and Port Sunlight was Lord Lever Hulme and I suggest you look up the Dictionary of National Biography obtainable at most big libraries for further information on Lord Lever Hulme. You could also try googling Lord Lever Hulme to see what you can find. Janet

Blimey! Lord Lever Hulme - that has got to be a co-incidence with the Hulmes.... but I wonder! I had kind of dismissed this story of a connection, they had consistently said a connection to the owner and I kind of expected that to mean like a section manager. Now that would be exciting to find.... :~) Alan - Think it's going to be Easter before I can get to the records office - can't wait! :~)

Hi Julie There is a newish book out called 'King of Sunlight' I can't remember who it's by off hand but you may be able to interloan it through your local library. It's about Lord Lever,is very readable and has drawings and pics of Port Sunlight. My great uncle worked for him in Nigeria. cheers Sylvia

http://www.portsunlight.org.uk/ has some info on the founder as does http://www.bolton.org.uk/lever.html

Ive been to the Lever Gallery on numerous occasions,and he was an avid collector-probably the country's wealthiest collector,or most accomplished private collector of paintings ,pottery,furniture etc.The collection takes some viewing and believing. The family set up the village to give the workers a proper place to live,and the properties to this day can only be inhabited by relatives or descendants of these original workers. A top bloke and philanthropist,who in todays terms would be close to being a billionaire.

Port Sunlight is a lovely place to visit, felt really stange when i wander round - like a little world that time forgot. Very Quaint Jess

I went once - quite simply beacsue i had heard of it. Curious little place - quaint- like the land that time forgot. Jess x

Do you know I've never been! I only found out the story when I was asking about the family tree a few months ago. There was some falling out - fueds are a family speciality, so it was never talked about. Definate trip in the school holidays!

Hi Julie, I go past Port Sunlight every morning as I work in Bebington, Lord Lever Hulme had all the houses built for his factory workers, it's a pretty place to see. He built the gallery for his wife and named it after her, the Lady Lever gallery. Another point I thought I'd add is, I'm researching my fathers family name of Noble, I wonder if we have any connections? I'm off to work now, i'll look out for your reply later. Ria :)