IS your surname Charnock or do you know a friend or relative with this name?

William Charnock’s diary, which was written in 1886, has recently been transcribed for Warrington Library by members of Warrington’s University of the Third Age (U3A).

Eileen Bennicke said: “This makes fascinating reading because it shows life in our town through the eyes of a Howley man employed in a chemical factory who was also a double-bass player in an orchestra.

“It expresses his thoughts about the ups and downs of his family life, happenings in the area, living conditions at the time and how he spent his money.

“There is a copy of the diary available in the local history section of Warrington Library.”

The group is keen to find any living descendants of this man.

Was your grandfather or great-grandfather one of his sons?

William had two sons, William Junior and John Henry, who was called Harry in the diary.

It is evident in the diary that these men were married and had a family of their own.

Are you one of them?

He also had a daughter, Nellie, who died in childbirth, but she was married to William O’Brien and any descendants might know something about the family.

Eileen added: “So far we have only transcribed it for reading and to go on the website but we have also done some analysis of the pubs William Charnock visited in 1886 and how he spent his money.

“I have sent letters to some addresses in Warrington where a Charnock lived recently in the hopes of eliciting some information.

“We are leaving no stone unturned.”

U3A is an international self-help movement for people who no longer work full-time, providing opportunities to join activity groups, share learning experiences and enjoy social contact.

Warrington is one of more than 1,000 U3As in the UK, with a combined membership of more than 385,000.

Each U3A decides the type of interest groups it offers, and members are free to join as many or as few as they wish.

This includes a chess group, German class and badminton session, as well as a number of different socials during the year.

If you think you might be connected in some way to William Charnock email Eileen on rebennicke@aol.com or to find out more about U3A visit u3asites.org.uk.