Constance Radcliffe (1921 – 6 January 2004) was a Manx historian who wrote primarily about the history of the parish of Maughold and the town of Ramsey, both in the north of the Isle of Man. In 1989 Radcliffe was awarded the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan in recognition of her contribution to Manx culture, and was a recipient of the MBE in 1996. Early years Radcliffe was born and raised in Ramsey, the only child of coal merchant Alex Curphey of Ballajora and his wife. Her father was also keenly interested in local history and the Anglo-Manx dialect, and was considered "an authority on old Ramsey". Radcliffe received her secondary education at Ramsey Grammar school, before moving to England to study at the University of Liverpool. Radcliffe spent much of her professional life in education, teaching in the north of England, before returning to the Isle of Man and working at the Buchan School and at Ramsey Grammar School where she taught Latin and history. She married Manx language scholar and activist Bill Radcliffe in Kirk Maughold parish church on 15 August 1957. Work as a historian Radcliffe was extensively on the history of the town of Ramsey and the surrounding parishes, writing the authoritative histories on the area. She was heavily involved in historical research of Manx history and was president of the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society and a Trustee of Manx National Heritage along with her husband Bill. After her husband's retirement, they focused on writing and co-wrote Maughold and Ramsey Place-Names, A History of Kirk Maughold, and Kirk Bride: A Miscellany together. Following her husband's death, Radcliffe concentrated on researching the history of Ramsey. Her books Ramsey 1600–1800 and Shining by the Sea: A History of Ramsey 1800–1914 are considered the authoritative accounts of the town. Radcliffe also did significant genealogical work on several Manx families, often helping visitors to the Island who wanted to research their connections to the Isle of Man. In 1997 Radcliffe published Captains of the Parish: A History of this Ancient Manx Appointment which discussed the history of the office of the Captain of the Parish, which is a ceremonial local government position that dates back to the Viking settlement of the Isle of Man. Anglo-Manx dialect Like her father, Radcliffe was interested in the dialect of English spoken on the Isle of Man, that was heavily influenced by