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A Suitcase of Surprises!
Archives can come into the collection in all different shapes and sizes, as well as in different packages – plastic bags, fruit boxes and even a suitcase!
This suitcase was found at the store and was just marked ‘John Rodley Account Books’. What’s inside?! Who was John Rodley?!
It turns out John Rodley was Dr John Rodley, a surgeon of 187 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale. The 1911 Census shows him living there with his wife, Edith Maud, his nephew John Rodley Slack. There is also a cook, Annie Whittaker and a housemaid, Annie Jane Williams living at that address. Born in Halifax and trained at Owens College in Manchester, he built up a large medical practice in Wardleworth.
As well as being a surgeon, John was Mayor of Rochdale in 1923 – 1924 and was a Town Councillor for 38 years.
These dusty ledgers date from 1920 and contain order details and patient’s payments, giving us a fascinating look into the running of a doctor’s surgery just over 100 years ago!
Our volunteer Lucia is looking forward to cleaning and listing these ledgers, ensuring they are preserved for the next 100 years and beyond.