FAMILY tree researchers are asking for help after being swamped with requests to find details of ancestors.

Rita Hirst, secretary of the Rossendale branch of the Lancashire Family History Society said she had recently been inundated with requests for information as more people abroad made use of e-mail.

She is appealing to anyone with good knowledge of the area who would be interested in helping her answer questions.

Historical geography is posing a problem.

The 1841-1891 census returns for Bacup are kept at Rawtenstall Library while civil registration information is categorised into Haslingden and Rochdale areas with information being stored at either Accrington or Rochdale.

Bacup church records are kept in Manchester, although Newchurch records are in Rawtenstall.

The most common names inquired about in the Bacup area are Lord, Howarth, Taylor and Ashworth.

Mrs Hirst said: "Inquiries have come from Florida, New Zealand and Australia.

"For instance a man in Melbourne requires more information on the White family of Bacup.

All he knows is that his ancestor Abraham White emigrated to Australia in 1852, leaving his widowed father John White in Bacup.

"E-mail is a very useful tool when replying to these worldwide inquires."

Anyone who is willing to help research and answer questions can contact Rita Hirst on 01706 227561 or e-mail her at RitaHirst@ukgateway.net.

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