Below is some genealogy information and websites about the history and social geography of Blackburn.

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Description: Located in Lancashire, Blackburn sits on the edge of the Pennines. Traditionally a textile town, Blackburn was a typical cottage industry. However, industrialisation of the weaving industry brought about major changes. Towns like Blackburn were at the centre of these changes - James Hargreaves, who invented the spinning jenny, lived and worked in the town itself. Blackburn and its textile industry boomed, with an increase in employment from 5,000 to over 130,000. The first spinning mill was built by 1797 and by 1824 there were some 24 mills in Blackburn. In 1826 the Lancashire Weaver's Riots took place. Caused by mass unemployment as a result of the move from cottage to factory, people in Blackburn were highly effected. A group of locals stormed the Bannister Eccles' Jublilee Factory and destroyed 212 power-looms. They destroyed a further 25 looms at the John Houghton and Son's Park Place Factory. Then industry did not suffer but continued to grow. They were connected to the rail network in 1846 and the industry boomed again. This aided the power-looms. More and more mills were built over the next 40 years until Blackburn started to feel the decline of the weaving industry. Mass unemployment followed with the town so heavily reliant on weaving. Much of it moved to South Lancashire and later to India.

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