Genealogy

Genealogy

When visiting a Titanic exhibition at the O2 I discovered that there was a Longley (Gretchen Fiske Longley) aboard the Titanic who had survived. Wondering whether we were related, I set about researching my family tree back, focussing largely on the Longley name, but exploring other lines as needed. My research has taken my back as far as the 1700’s, and I have some pointers towards the 1600’s.

Wild Bill Longley

Jailed and escaped half a dozen times, hung three times, and buried twice, Wild Bill Longley is the stuff of folklore. Heavy drinking and gambling were just two of his vices, but not what he was known for. He rose to notoriety in Texas in the 1800’s as a ruthless killer, reportedly having killed 32 people including a preacher while the religious man was milking a cow.

While almost certainly no biological relation to me, the story of Wild Bill Longley is just too interesting to ignore!

Gretchen Fiske Longley

An orphaned young lady whose family wealth led her to be aboard Titanic when the un-sinkable ship sank, and whose wealth and courage helped her to survive to recount the tale. From Hudson City, Columbia, NY, Gretchen Fiske Longley was the original inspiration for my genealogical work.

This research takes me back to New England, shortly before the Declaration of Independence, through Independence, the American Civil War, the Great War, the Second World War, and Vietnam.

The story ends in the swinging sixties – a time of  liberation, promiscuity, drugs, mini-skirts, hippies, the Beetles, and Austin Powers!

Longleys bedsteads

Longley is name encountered by scores of people looking skywards in central Leeds, where the name is ornately spelt out above Pret a Manger in the shopping centre of the city. The name relates to Joseph Longley Bedsteads – a business that flourished for over 130 years. It resulting in significant family wealth, before closing its doors in 1965.

James Longley and Co Ltd

James Longley and Company Limited, also known as “Longley’s of Crawley”, was a building firm based in Crawley, established in 1863. It went on to become a significant part of Crawley, building mansions, schools, hospitals and working on the railways, employing 700 people in the late 1800’s. By the end of the 20th century Longley’s had experienced tough times, but their fortunes were reviving, before issues with major contracts left them in financial dire straits. The business collapsed, being bought for £1 by Kier in June 2000 after 140 years in business. Article to follow.

Charles Thomas Longley

While the church features heavily in my direct ancestors, nowhere is the name more recognisable in religious circles than Charles Thomas Longley, Archbishop of Canterbury. Having previously held the positions of Bishop of Ripon, Bishop of Durham and Archbishop of York, he held the position of Archbishop of Canterbury between 1862 and 1868. Article to follow

Thomas Longley

Viewed as being “her majesty’s heaviest subject” Thomas Longley of Dover, Kent was a distinctive figure in the Star Inn. Claims suggest that he was the heaviest person in the empire at this point. Tipping the scales at a generous 292Kg at his zenith, he is a memorable part of Longley family history.

James William Longley

Stories of alleged industrial murder, abduction, suicide, family murder and a staged disappearance all surround the worlds birth of film-making in 1890’s Leeds. Whether or not Augustin Le Prince should be recorded as the creator of cinematography, what is clear is that his mechanic James William Longley played a notable part in this story.

Dr William Henry Emeris Burke

A talented and caring Doctor, William Henry Emeris Burke was also a man whose life was afflicted by heavy drinking. It was on a day on which he had been drinking heavily since noon that he summoned his wife and daughter to join him at the Norman Inn, Monk Bretton. Having drunk yet more champagne he turned his gun on his daughter Aileen, killing her immediately. Drunk, emotional, and with his wife and a policeman entering the room, he turned the gun on himself, attempted suicide, and failed. Sentenced to hang, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, which he began to serve in Parkhurst Jail on the Isle of Wight. Soon after arriving he suffered complications from his self-inflicted wound, dying an untimely death. Article to follow

Captive John Longley (Groton) USA

Longley Brothers – Builders (Leeds) 1800s

William Longley Pyrotechnics

The creator and manufacturer of the Battel Rouser, the Longley family have played a central role in the 400 year old Battle Bonfire. It was the increasing fame and notoriety of the Rouser that was ultimately its undoing. Its appearance on the BBC in 1951 resulted in the hastily prepared Firework Act 1951, and the regulation and control of the manufacture of fireworks.

Michael Longley – NI poet

Bernard Longley (Archbishop of Birmingham)

Clifford Longley – Journalist and author (Croydon)

Longley – Huddersfield

Longley Hall