Genealogy Chat

does any body know where that is, or is it still there? thanks in advance, Yvette

What sort of date and did you find the address on census or a cert? I have several people described as living in Jackson's yard or some other Yard in Yorkshire census. From what I can make out, they were little alleys off a road, with dwellings at both sides of the alley. By reading the other addresses on that bit of census, I was able to find out the approximate locations of the yards, but sadly they have all now gone. I did find a picture of a similar yard in the local history room at the appropriate library though. Good luck, and I hope someone with local knowledge of Croydon can help you. Jay

thanks Jay, I started to think about that, but had posted (lzy) yvette

Hey Yvette Just did a little googling for smiths yard, croydon. Several sites mentioning it, one as ' a bridge over smiths yard, katherine st' also mentions Park lane and Sega House. This was from the Croydon Guardian listing upcoming building changes. The second is from a council report on building 'a new multi-storey car park off Smiths Yard'. Park lane is also mentioned. Looked up a map of Croyden and all the street names listed, and some more mentioned, are in the same small area. These 2 reports were both from 31 Oct 2005. Obviousley some developments happening in that area...hopefully whatever Smiths Yard is, there is still some trace of there. If it is the same place. If you need those web sites can send em too you...will keep searching for any other clues... Steve

I have a rellie born in Tubes Yard, Aldgate. I think that yards were quite common in the 19th century.

It seems that Jay's decription above seems likely. There are a few smith's yards around the country, but the above info is definitley the croydon one. Sega House is listed as adjacent to smiths yard. Found one entry from a family tree that lists a relative living at Smiths Yard, Croydon, with house number, in the 1851 Census. Spooky thing is the people names there are very familiar, some the same as possible relatives i found less than a month ago when i had free access to ancestry! I'm off to check some dates... Hope this helped. Steve

Dear Steven, I think this may be the correct location, although I can't find the exact place on google earth. Its really close to the other relatives from that time until prob. now there are lots of relatives!!!!( I know now anyway) I sent you a pm, but it told me I had already contacted you previously. Maybe there's a bit more to it. Yvette updated message. thanks for all your help. I have finally found the appropriate relatives on 1881 census. Smiths yard runs off high street croydon, with greyhound pub close to the corner. My cousin found some extra realtives living in the same place ( smiths yard) in the earlier census. I have just noticed another related family in the 1881. Steven, pm me!!! yx

hey Yvette, Got your Pm fine, don't think we've contacted before, but have sent the link to family living at that address to you via PM. Fingers crossed. Steve

I work in Croydon, I know Katherine Street and Park Lane well - Katherine Street is actually where the Croydon library and the local studies centre is located. I think that Smith's yard is now only used as a service road between the back of shops/offices Try looking on this map. http://www.croydon.gov.uk/environment/dcande/planning/majplanapps/pdfrep/cpomaps(.)pdf Take out brackets. Jeannie

Jeannie,, thankyou, however I tried the addy, it said the file was damaged. took out the pdf part and although it goes to croydon council, the particular page cannot be found. At least there is the option of using things like google maps. I've pretty much found it on there now. have a great sunday Jeannie Yvette Dale