Author who left city a lifetime of local knowledge

Dave Stephenson pays tribute to William Sanigar, the first historian of St George.

- Dave Stephenson

St George Grammar School from about the time when Sanigar would have been a pupil

In the early 1920s, a prize was offered by the St George Grammar school for an essay on “St George in Olden Times”.

The scholars were allowed to consult books, persons, or any other available source. Many pupils entered, but the results were disappointing. It seemed that little real knowledge of the district existed.

So step forward William Thomas Sanigar (spelt “Seniger” on his birth certificate), a former pupil of the school. He consulted old newspapers one by one (before computers!), looked at old church records and talked to local people, shopkeepers, local companies and even his old schoolmates (known as “old Georgians”).

He finally produced a book in 1931 titled St Georges in the East, printed by Jeffries, Sons & Co in Baldwin Street where he was employed - priced one shilling or one shilling and tuppence by post. He had to publish it himself but probably got a discount from his boss.

He had really good reviews from all the local papers, and followed it up with several other books - Houses and People of Old St George (1936), The Leaves from a Barton Hill Note Book (1954) and finally, 100 Years of St Luke’s Church (Barton Hill).

These books inspired two history groups, Barton Hill History Group and the St George History Group.

He also wrote many articles for the local newspapers and in 1934 he was invited to join the French Historical Society - he was even invited to Paris. He was also a member of the Royal Historical Society.

William Sanigar was born on April 6, 1882 at 3 Whitehall Terrace, St George. His mother was Sarah Ann (née Fitzgerald) and his father George was a twine spinner, probably at the Great Western Cotton Factory, the biggest employer in the district, and where many of his family worked.