Wigan Album

William cadman was my dads grandad and Sam Cadman was Williams cousin. They were actually nail and bolt makers located in Church Street Orrell near to the Grapes. William was also known as Willy he also had his own smithy located near to the methodist chapel in church street whilst Sam's smithy was behind the row of terraced house's on the same side as Farmoor.Both were well known through out the Orrell area. Sam is the one hammering and Willy is the one with glass's watching. Any information has to where this photo appeard would be welcome has to see it brought back memories for my dad

Interesting and rare photograph, does anybody know how the big 'ommers were powered, they were obviously mechanised in some way.

Fantastic photo.
My 3 x Great Grandmother was Sarah Cadman. Her father Peter Cadman and her husband John Melling were all from Orrell and were all listed as nail makers. Do you think they could be connected?

My dad is Frank Atherton When I have been tracing his family tree most of the relatives that were not miners were nail makers in Church Street

I live in a small tiny house in Church St and my house deeds say this was a nail making place(could this be the same place I wonder?)

The "big ommers" as you put it were worked by a foot pedal and a system of cantilevers. I remember a blacksmith who had a forge in Major Street having one. We used to take the horse there to be shod

Elizabeth Melling is my 3rd Great Grandma. Her Dad, my 4th Great Grandfather, was John Melling the nail-maker, who lived at Orell. John's dad was Samuel Melling and his mum was Margaret Wilkinson. So glad I stumbled on this!