History

Now in its fourth year, the hugely successful Tell Me Project 2011 brings to life all manner of fascinating recollections and has unearthed some more truly amzing memorabilia. Perhaps more importantly it has helped the pupils of the Isle of Man, who undertake the interviews with olders residents from all sorts of backgrounds, expand their educational skills. This is achieved through the process of interviewing older people which develops their communication and interpersonal skills, expands their IT knowledge, deepens their emotional intelligence and helps them discover how the older generation is a vital part of the Manx community with the power to enrich younger peoples lives
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The author of this book has been a member of Laxey AFC since birth, and who has ancestors recorded in this book. He spent many hours at the Manx Museum researching the archives and newspaper reports and his compilation provides a fascinating insight not only into the history of Laxey AFC, but the changing times in Laxey from 1910 through to the modern day. In the book you can see the social changes in Manx and village life, the changes in newspaper writing and reporting, and how football has developed in the Isle of Man.

The book is well illustrated throughout with team photographs.
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Have you ever wanted to learn something about the history of your house, your street, your village, but have been unsure where to start? Have you ever wondered what life was like for generations of Manx people who farmed the land or made a living from the sea? Would you like to know more about your father's wartime service? If the answer to any of thses questions is yes, then this book will offer you practical advice about the ways in which you can unlock the secrets of the past by using the enormous variety of records that exist on the Isle of Man.

Lavishly illustrated, this book offers exciting new insights into the richness of Manx historical records. It also serves as a guide to the major repositories holding Manx related material.
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In December 1867 Captain Thomas Cubbin, a master mariner from the Isle of Man, set out from Liverpool in the barque Serica, bound for Aden with a cargo of coal. With him on board were his wife Mary, their two yong sons, and a crew of fourteen men and boys. In the Indian Ocean three months later the Serica encountered one of the most terrifying hurricanes ever recorded. What follows is a story of tradgedy, adventure and extraordinary courage.
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This beautifully illustrated book is a unique historical archive of Peel, its people and its ships and contains many hitherto unseen photographs and unknown facts about the City's hertiage as well as a section of articles both huumerous and sad from the Peel City Guardian of the day.This is "a slice of time" about Peel's people, names you can still encounter on any day in Peel - like ships on the tide, the names float across the ether of time!

The latter half of the nineteenth and early twentieth century saw many changes take place in Peel; the moves to attract the tourism trade, the arrival of steamships, the railway and motorised transport were to transform the City more quickly than had ever been known. On Joe Mylchreest's return from South Africa he enthusiastically set about encouraging various enterprises, one of which was the building of trading boats. This book contains the unique records of the schooner named after his wife, Phoebe, and original documents giving an insight into the commerical aspects of the town.
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The last abbey to be dissolved by Henry VIII, the last castle to fall during the Civil War, and the site of the first holiday camp - all can be found on the Isle of Man. And the world's most famous motorbike race takes place on an Island where it is traditional to greet the faries when crossing their bridge.

The Isle of Man is an island of contrasts. It has social structure that harks back to the Island's Viking past, a history of offering a home to financial entrepreneurs and an island-wide advanced telecommunications system designed to encourage future business investment.

Centred in the Irish Sea, Mann has been drawn into the politics of the surrounding islands yet still maintains its own traditions, language and way of life. It is the long and proud history of the Manx and their Island which this beautifully colour illustrated book celebrates.
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It is now fourteen years since the first edition of this book of old black and white postcards was published. Due to building developments on the Isle of Man, several captions needed updating and the publisher has also taken the opportunity to replace forty of the images.
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This well illustrated book traces Manx hockey's progress from 1760 through to 2010, principally concentrating on its development through the Manx Hockey Association. The book explores an intriguing aspect of the story of the Isle of Man which should appeal to anyone who is generally interested in Manx social or sporting history. Players past and present will be informed and amused reading about their sport's early days and its progress over the years.
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Over the course of the 20th Century, life in Cronk y Voddy has changed almost beyond recognition. The church and chapels, the school and smithy, even the scattering of shops which used to be there, all closed their doors. Today only one farm is worked by a third generation family. And yet, remarkably, the hamlet still has a strongly beating heart.

This book is a wonderfully well illustrated and evocative description of past days in the rural Isle of Man. It includes a foreword by its most famous son, Randalph Quirk, Lord Quirk of Bloomsbury.
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Produced to celebrate the Isle of Man Federation of Women's Institutes Diamond Jubilee in the Island, this book traces the development of the WI Branches in the Isle of Man over their 60 years history between 1950 and 2010. The WI provides women with educational opportunities, the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide range of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities. This publication is broken down into the Island's WI Districts, each of whom has written their own contribution. Well illustrated throughout with mainly colour photographs.
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Internment is a weapon used in wartime by governments to protect their own citizens against resident foreigners of enemy nationlity.

In both World Wars fenced off camps in the Isle of Man served as secure detention centres. From 1914-1919 twenty thousand German and Austrian men were held on the Isle of Man, and from1940 tens of thousands of Germans, Austrians, Italians, Hungarians, Finns and Japanese found themselves behind barbed stockades.

Internment means loss of freedom, separation from family and friends, lack of income, overcrowding, and often results in depression. Individual reactions vary, but most people ultimately came to terms with their situation and found the experience life enhancing, mind-broadening, often even funny, and leading to lasting friendships.

This well illustrated book (black and white and colour) shows how quickly the human spirit and ingenuity asserted themselves and left tangible testimonies in music, literature, crafts and visual arts.
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This is the first substantial history book to be written about the Isle of Man's former ancient capital, Castletown
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This book provides an up-to-date short history of the Isle of Man.
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This book is set in the Peel of the lates 1800s and early 1900s. It attempts to give the flavour of everday life in that world of accelerating change, by tracing the fortunes of one fisherman's family between 1878 and 1929.
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The things that happpened at one of the lovliest places on the Isle of Man between 1902 and 1908 were scarcely credible at the time and no less extraordinary when examined today. The essence of the conflict was between two farmers and what the author has done is take the known facts and dressd them lightly in a fictional context.

Syd Boulton was a widely known and much loved journalist and his writing in the local newspapers brought pleasure to thousands. It was personal, about things and people he knew and above all his integrity was never in question. His reporting was straightforward and his Peeps Into the Past column alone ran from 1956 to 1971 in the Ramsey Courier

In this book, author Sue Woolley has reproduced a selection of newspaper articles written by Syd Boulton
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This book covers the life and times of the Laxey woollen industry between 1860 and 2010 and not only does it encapsulate the development of the Isle of Man's woollen industry but also mirrors the changing face of Manx clothing, retailing and tourism spanning three centuries.

The book details 150 years of craftmanship, enterprise and larger-than-life personalities. Along the way the reader will learn about many of the workers and complex processes in making everyday woollen items. Laxey lies at the heart of this book and the village's development is an integral part of this history.

Lavishly illustrated with over 150 colour and black and white photographs, "A Weaver's Tale" sheds new light on both Laxey's and Manx history.
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This book tells the story of 150 memorable years of Laxey Flour Mills which is the miller of the finest quality, additive-free flour available in the British Isles.
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Celebrating 150 years of history, this fascinating, in-depth, large-format book looks at the the Great Laxey Mine from its very beginnings. Lavishly illustrated with archive photographs, detailed maps and original plans for the Lady Isabella Wheel

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This colourful book overflows with life and fascinating old photographs of the Isle of Man’s famous holiday industry. Stories are told from hoteliers, cooks, chamber maids and even the visitors themselves as they recall the heady days when hundreds of thousands of holiday-makers came to the Island for their annual break.

Original research and unique photographs are featured in this highly readable account which is now the definitive record of the Island greatest industry.


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An authoritative account by Canon John Gelling of the lives of the Manx Bishops and clergy from the arrival of Bishop Wilson in 1698 to the death of Bishop Drury in 1911. Extensive notes on all parishes and clergy are included as well as many fascinating and amusing stories about life in the Manx church.

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Mann Ablaze was first published in 1991 and traced the history of the Isle of Man Fire Service from its beginnings in 1803 with the Sun Fire Office up until the formation of the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service in 1988.

This second edition revises the early history and brings the history up to date and includes many more photographs of appliances and fires. It describes how the various early brigades in the island struggled to deal with the outbreaks of fire and in particular the difficulty of moving the appliances over significant distances. Along the way the text also paints a picture of the social history of the island.

The final chapter describes the development of the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service over the last two decades making it one of the most modern in the British Isles.
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Lorne House is a very special survivor sited close to the heart of Castletown. Built on a site protected from development, this late Georgian house is set in six acres of grounds. The history of the site is obscure, bound up in local myth that speaks of kings, monks and unnatural deaths. In this lavishly illustrated book, the author unravels the truth about lorne house's history and architecture and shows how good this venerable survivor looks today.

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This is the story of King William's College and The Buchan School and the foundation which brought them together in 1991. It is enriched by witty and telling anecdotes from and about members of staff and pupils. It explores the history of the Bishop Barrow's Charity and Laura Lady Buchan's endowment and it shows how Island and international dimensions together have produced today a highly successful co-educational day and boarding school like no other. The book is illustrated with copious photographs and is the first full account of a story which began over 350 years ago.
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This book tells the story of the Island's evolution, beginning with its geological birth in the Cambrian period, through successive waves of Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Celtic Iron Age settlers as well as the Viking raids and settlements of the eigth to thirteenth centuries, right up to the political, social and commercial developments of the modern era.

In the second half of the book, the author takes the reader on a tour of the Isle of Man's superb coastal and upland landscapes, and around its historic towns, villages and parishes.

With the aid of some 200 illustrations, the book tells of the Isle of Man and ites people, and how they came to be what they are today.
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The author, Robert Hendry, explores the link between the Isle of Man and the Sea. The book gives details of the ships that served the Island. Read of the romance between a lively Manx girl and a french Naval Officer that created a dynsty of Manx lawyers and doctors, the explosive meeting in 1919 when the Steam Packet teetered on the brink of dissolution and the tragic love affair between the man who built the first ship for the Packet and a Douglas girl. Learn also of the personalities as well as the ships, and go onboard passenger ships and freighters to see a world only known to the seafarer.
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This book is a fascinating account of the event s surrounding the sinking of one of the Isle of Man Steam Packet's most popular ships, the SS Ellan Vannin, at the mouth of the River Mersey in the early hours of 3rd December 1909.

A violent hurricane was raging that night, and ship, with its crew, passengers and cargo, broke in two and was found by divers the next day buried in sand and silt in 30ft of water. Everyone onboard was drowned and some of the bodies were never found.

This book was originally published in 1999 but has been reprinted and re-released to coincide with the centenary anniversary of the tradgedy.
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Controversy reveals the story of the progress of the Isle of Man's financial situtation during the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It considers the issues surrounding the development of the fiscal relationship between the Isle of Man and Britain - the main way of raising public finances for funding the costs of government and improving the infrastructure of the island was through taxation by way of customes tariffs applied to a range of goods.

Readers will learn how the Island experienced a period of remarkable evolution, the beginings of political reforms and the transformation of the economy.
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This groundbreaking study of the twentieth-century Manx political history will appeal not only to a Manx readership but also those with a specific interest in the history and politics of the Isle of Man or a more wide ranging interest in the politics of small states and devolution. More than 100 photographs provide a record of the century's leading politicians together with pictorial evidience of the hanging role of the state in Manx society.
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This is the first in-depth study of Manx politics and government to be published since the inception of the ministerial system in 1986-88. It will appeal to those with a specific interest in the history and politics of the Isle of Man or a more wide-ranging interest in the politics of small states. It is well illustrated with some 150 photographs providing an excellent record of the period’s leading political personalities.
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This book is based on a concept originally broadcast by Manx Radio and the news items between 1901-1950 are presented like radio news bulletins. The news is presented year by year and is supported by in depth features which have been prepared by a team of Manx Historians and journalists. The result is an enthralling account of life in the Isle of Man during the first half of the twentieth century and is enhanced by the inclusiion of over 240 illustrations and photographs.

The murders that have caused shock and sensation throughout two centuries of the Isle of Man's history are recorded here. Using information obtained from newspapers inquest records and trial transcripts each murder is described against a backdrop of contemporary events to give the reader a distinct flavour of life at the time of the crime..

This thrilling book explores almost all the murder and manslaughter trials on the Isle of Man from the eighteenth century to 200 and beyond. It is a comprehensive modern history as well as a gripping read. Including everything from stabbings, shootings and strangling of lovers, friends and enemies. This book is an unsettling journey through each case.
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This book features postcards of Ramsey and the North of the Island between 1900-1939.

This book features postcards of Castletown and the South of the Island between 1900-1945.

A photographic record showing the Island's history and development over the last 100 years.

This book is currently on special offer - the normal retail price is £25.00

The reflections of Manx life from 1886 to 1986.

A nostalgic journey through the life of the Gaiety Theatre.

This book is a journey through the often hilarious memories and misfortunes of Mervin Stokes the man who has spent most of his working life serving the Gaiety and whose dedication and detective work in reincarnating this magnificent Frank Matcham playhouse became an all-consuming passion. The book is beautifully illustrated by Michael Thompson’s complete photographic record of every detail of the theatre’s restored interior and extrerior.
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A guide to family records in the Isle of Man.
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A catalogue of furniture collections of Manx National Heritage.

A collection of articles long and short that show the mosaic that make up the Isle of Man.

A history of Ramsey.

An outline of the part that Sir William Hillary played in setting up the R.N.L.I. and a history of Manx lifeboat stations.

A history of Manx Education.

A history of Manx Education.

Considering the relatively small area of the Isle of Man it is difficult to believe that the number of schools mentioned in this book come to over 250! In addtion over 100 teachers are referred to by name. Present schools are well represented and proposals for the future are included

This report integrates the results of geological mapping on the Isle of Man with an assessment of recently released hydrocarbon exploration data from the offshore basins and with recently published and unpublished research.

This book of old photographs of the Isle of Man looks at Inner Mann - namely the rural areas away from the six main towns of the Island.
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This informative pack has been produced for local schools and provides much information and resource material.

Produced for schools this resource pack is packed with information about the Island's sea fishing industry which for centuries was a pillar of the Manx economy and traditional way of Manx life.

Historically the Island's extractive industries occupied an imporrtant place in it's economy. The Island possesses much in the way of industrial archaeology of mining and evidences of quarrying mines and mining are widespread all of which are covered by this resource pack produced for the local schools.

This book is a miscellany of memories tales and experiences as told by the residents of the “Glenside” Residential Home in Douglas

This is the story of the restoration of the bells at St German's Cathedral in Peel which had not properly functioned for a long time and had deteriorated badly. The Cathedral is a living part not only of Peel but of the whole island and the call of the bells announces to all that its Christian heritage is alive and well.

The Isle of Man is rich in the remains of the Vikings. Its unique carved stones with their runic inscriptions, its rich grave finds, silver hoards and fortifications, tell the development of a Norse Kingdom. This book provides the first detailed view of one of the most important Viking settlements in the West.

This book provides a unique and incredible insight into the work of the Royal British Legion within the Island since its inception and the author has endeavoured to capture the proud story of the Legion in the Isle of Man.

From Chicago to Cape Town, Wisconsin to Western Australia, the last 200 years have seen Manx pioneers leave their homeland to start new lives around the world. For a small island, the extent of the travels of the Manx, and their impact on places where they settled, is remarkable. In this book, the author travels the world in a bid to unearth these Manx adventurers.
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This is a series of drawings by Dusty Miller which appeared in the Isle of Man Examiner in the late 1930s. Many illuminating facts and myths were explored on a weekly basis and the somewhat unusual character of the drawings provoked considerable discussion and interest among readers of the Examiner at the time. In this book some of Dusty’s original drawings benefit from some supporting historic description and others from more accurate explanation.
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A personal recollection and historical information written and collected by a lifelong Peel resident.