Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to be always a child. If no use is made of the labors of past ages, the world must remain always in the infancy of knowledge.       

       Cicero    106  BC  --  43 BC

 

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William 1751 - 1837.  St Helen's Church Sefton

 The Rainford family in Little Crosby and surrounding area were strong Catholics.      Persecution of Catholics during the reign of Oliver Cromwell meant the concealment of records of births, marriages and deaths.     The result has been that I have been unable to get further back than my great, great, great-grandfather born 1751.        There is mention of a John and Henry who both had children baptised - 1748 and 1756.      I think it is safe to say that they were uncles but there is no record of any descendants.    My guess is they moved to a different part of the country.

There is mention that Sir Geoffrey de Rainford was formerly of Lancashire.   Although there are many hundreds if not thousands of Rainfords (and the variation of the name) today it must be remembered that there would have been few 900 years ago.    I feel it is safe therefore to assume that he was one of a number of brothers who lived in the area Crosby to Southport.     It follows therefore that we would be related.     The descendants of Sir Geoffrey became Protestants and that would account for the more detailed family tree.  

 

The following has been compiled over the past 10 years and is far from complete.   It should however be of help to anyone who is researching their family background.

The page 'Extended Family' gives further information.

 

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