About Shaw.
The original and correct name for the town and area is Crompton.
Shaw was a sub district of Crompton where a Chapel was sited.
Many years back "Going to Shaw" more likely meant "Going to the Chapel."
Regularly "Shaw and Crompton" are referred to together and most often just as "Shaw."
Gradually the two areas have merged together and while the name Crompton is still used, especially with respect to the High and Low Crompton areas, in most daily talk the town centre is known as Shaw. Many historical buildings and monuments proudly bear the name of Crompton.
One description of Crompton from 1830 was:
Crompton, a township in the parish of Oldham cum Prestwich, hundred of Salford. Inhabitants 6482. 10 miles N.E. from Manchester. This is a bleak and sterile district : it partakes of a portion of the cotton manufacture. The two separate hamlets, High and Low Crompton, give name to the township.
In 1835 Shaw was a chapelry in the township of Crompton in the parish of Oldham.
More details about Shaw and Crompton can be found elsewhere on the Internet.
The three local newspapers all have websites with sections devoted to Shaw and Crompton containing
historical information, contacts for people tracing their ancestry and regularly updated News items.
The local Newspaper websites are:
Further information on the history of Shaw and Crompton is available from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaw_and_Crompton