What Poll Books can tell us about our ancestors in Leeds and the West Riding

This week, as part of Local and Community History Month, we welcome guest author Janice Heppenstall for a fascinating and in-depth look at using electoral results in family history research… Janice will be joining us at the Central Library on Thursday May 11 to deliver a talk based on her family history research. Further information…

People of Leeds #12: Frances Rushworth

In the first of three special articles to mark our Unfinished Business exhibition focusing on Women in our collections, Antony Ramm looks at a short-but-fascinating story from Leeds’ electoral history. This article is #12 in our People of Leeds series – mini biographies of lesser-known contributors to Leeds’ rich heritage.  The major landmarks and most important individuals…

Nineteenth Century Politics – The Leeds Parliamentary Election of 1868

This week we hear from Josh Flint of the Local and Family History Department, who will look at the Parliamentary Election held on the 17th November 1868. The 1868 election in Leeds was fought between two Liberal candidates Edward Baines Jr and Robert Meek Carter; an Independent Liberal Sir Andrew Fairbairn and two Conservatives Admiral…