A FAMILY from America, whose connections to Radcliffe date back more than 900 years, made a special trip to the town to explore their ancestry.

While researching his family tree, Glen Ratcliff — a cattle rancher from Texas — began to unearth his ancestors' connections with Radcliffe.

He made contact with Friends of Radcliffe Manor via Facebook before arranging a visit last September, with his three children.

Keen to learn more, Glen's son Blake returned last week with his wife Sarah and their daughter Carolina.

Carol Kemp, Chair of Friends of Radcliffe Manor, took them on a tour, provided answers to their questions, and recommended other sites of historical interest.

She said: "They were so excited. They were walking in the footsteps of their ancestors.

"They were with me for two days. They were busy taking photos and asking questions. It meant a lot to them."

The Domesday Book documents how Radcliffe — referred to as ‘Radeclive’ — was passed on to the wealthy Nicholas FitzGilbert de Tabois following the Norman Conquest in 1066.

His family took the name ‘de Redclyffe’, meaning 'of Radcliffe', after the red sandstone cliffs of the nearby River Irwell.

Nicholas built a mediaeval manor house to live in and a church for his workers — Radcliffe Parish Church of St Mary. Today, all that remains of Radcliffe Manor is the ruins of the Grade I listed tower, in Sandford Street, but St Mary’s survives.

One of Nicholas’ descendants was Richard Ratcliff, a Quaker, who at the age of 21, fled persecution. With many others, he boarded The Submission in 1682, setting sail from Liverpool to Maryland, USA.

More than 300 years on, the Ratcliff family continue the story.

"The family knew that Richard had travelled on The Submission but I was able to tell them more about their family history", Mrs Kemp said.

"Their family tree goes all the way back to Nicholas FitzGilbert de Tabois.

"They were overawed.

"It is like an extension of family. You are proud of the fact that this is where your ancestors and their ancestors are from. They all walked together."

Blake and his wife travelled to England to escort their daughter back to the London Film School, where she is studying.

They extended their trip to include a return visit to Radcliffe on January 5-6.

They told Mrs Kemp: "There is still much to look at more closely, we will be back."