TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular historian who died at the age of 69 last week.

Jane Ainsworth was born in Hoyland but spent most of her life living elsewhere until she and husband, Paul, decided to return to Barnsley for their early retirement.

She was brought up in Chorley, Lancashire, then went to York University where she obtained a BA degree in English and related literature.

Her passionate interest in family history research developed, with a growing fascination for local history and the First World War.

When Jane decided to research Holgate Grammar School’s war memorial for the centenary, she had no idea how difficult it would be to identify then research the lives of 76 strangers.

However, she was determined to pay tribute to the brave young men by finding out as much as possible about them all.

Although she has written a number of published articles on various subjects, the Memorial Book was Jane’s first book and was the result of more than two years’ research.

She died last Friday, Paul - who was married to her for 48 years - told the Chronicle.

He added: “She had been in hospital for five months with various problems before sepsis set in.

“Jane was insistent that she didn’t want a funeral service but I am hoping to organise a celebration of her life.

“She was utterly amazing, a real force of nature, who was very intelligent, loved her research and was extremely good at it.

“It was painful to see her diminish - she one of a kind and it was a privilege to have known and loved her.”

Friend Dave Cherry said: “Jane was a lovely lass originally from Hoyland who spoke with an East Lancashire accent.

“Her ancestry and research work was out of the top drawer.

“She could dig stuff out that no-one else could and it’s another great loss for our town.”