Genealogy Chat

Thank you everyone for your great information re Greenwich. Much appreciated Katrina Australia

www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/LeisureCulture/HistoryAndHeritage/HeritageCentre/FamilyHistory/InstitutionalRecords.htm

The London Borough of Greenwich is a London borough in southeast London, England. Greenwich is one of five host boroughs for the 2012 London Olympics with events due to be held at the Royal Artillery Barracks (Shooting), Greenwich Park (Equestrianism) and the O2-former Millennium Dome (Gymnastics; Basketball). Greenwich Heritage Centre The Heritage Centre brings together the former Borough Museum and Local History Library to offer a wealth of information and fascinating displays about the history of Greenwich. Step back in time at the Greenwich Heritage Centre Bringing the past alive A free exhibition, 'Inside the Arsenal' tells the amazing story of the Royal Arsenal and the surrounding area through the lives of the people who lived and worked there. With an extensive and growing collection of documents and books, photographs and maps, and prints and drawings, the Heritage Centre is the perfect place to explore the background of your family or area. The Centre offers a range of activities, from talks and lectures to a Saturday club for children, while our talks for schools are proving very popular among students and teachers alike. Take some of these memories home – buy books and souvenirs at the Heritage Centre shop. Extensive historical records Among our collection are administrative and church records dating back to the 1600s. Items in the collection include: maps from the seventeenth century to the present day files of local newspapers from 1834 to date a Plumstead deed document of 1387 (the Centre's oldest document!). Institutional records The Heritage Centre holds a variety of records from various local institutions. A summary of these is listed below. Simply click on the link to jump to the summary you are interested in. For more details, please contact us using the number given on the right. Almshouses Hospitals Royal Arsenal Royal Hospital for Seamen Royal Hospital School School Records Workhouse Records Almshouses Charitable homes for the poor, ranging from Goldsmith's Almshouses, established in 1560, to Plumstead Almshouses, founded in 1883. Back to top Hospitals The Heritage Centre holds some background information and pictures of hospitals in the area. More detailed records from many of the hospitals in the area that have now closed, including military hospitals, are held at London Metropolitan Archives. Note that patient records may not have been kept, as there is no requirement to do so. Back to top Royal Arsenal Since the seventeenth century, the Arsenal site at Woolwich has been a centre for the manufacture and testing of arms. Thousands of people were employed there over the years (80,000 during the First World War when production was at its height). It finally closed in 1994. The centre holds background information and illustrations relating to the Arsenal and there is also a useful website about the Royal Arsenal, but the records of people employed in the Arsenal are deposited at the Public Record Office. Back to top Royal Hospital for Seamen The Royal Hospital for Seamen was founded in 1694 and closed in 1869. The burial ground for the hospital was on Maze Hill and was used from 1707 to 1749. After this date burials for officers and children from the Royal Hospital schools continued until 1821, when the burial ground finally closed. A piece of land known as Goddard's Garden on Romney Road was acquired in 1715 and used as a burial ground from 1742 - 1857. A new Hospital cemetery was opened in East Greenwich in 1857. The remains of some 3000 former pensioners were moved to this cemetery in 1875. Records of people buried there are deposited at the Public Record Office. Back to top Royal Hospital School The school for the sons of seamen was established shortly after the hospital. The Royal Naval Asylum, a similar school for boys and girls, was later set up in 1805. The schools were mainly for orphans of seamen, but entry was not restricted to them. The Public Records Office holds records for the schools, which include admission papers, birth certificates, and parents’ marriage certificates. Greenwich Heritage Centre has a collection of background information about the schools including books, pamphlets, illustrations, prints and so on. Back to top School Records Records for the London School Board (established in 1870) and its successors (London County Council and later ILEA) are deposited at the London Metropolitan Archives. These records include school registers and log books. If school records are not deposited at London Metropolitan Archives, they may be at the school if it is still active. Greenwich Heritage Centre holds general background information about many schools in the Borough, some of them charity schools dating back to the seventeenth century, which survive today as modern comprehensives. However, with a few exceptions, the library does not hold information about pupils. Back to top Workhouse Records Prior to 1834, the administration of workhouses was an individual parish responsibility. Some workhouse records for this period are available in the library. Afterwards, workhouses were run by unions, three of which operated in Greenwich: the Greenwich and Deptford Union (formed in 1835), Lewisham Union (formed in 1836) and the Woolwich Union (formed 1868).

Well, where shall I start. Things have changed a bit since 1800 and even from 1899. You probably know that time starts at Greenwich where you will find the Zero meridian and just for fun stand on the Zero line or straddle it with one foot in the east and one in the west. Apart from the old Observatory and the meridian which stand in Greenwich Park, you can also go down to the south bank of the River Thames and see the old tea clipper the Cutty Sark. Greenwich also has a large, very large, maritime museum and facing it is the old Royal Naval College which has now become part of Greenwich University, nevertheless a visit to the building is well worth while particularly the Officers Mess and the Chapel plus you will often find that there is a special exhibition of some kind in the basement of the buidling - last one I saw was crown jewellery from different international kings and queen. Next - Greenwich has grown and is now the centre of the London Borough of Greenwich, but historically has always been a maritime port with connections with the navy and Royal Marines. Greenwich was also the virtual entrance to the Port of London and London Docks. For genealogy you would need to go to the neighbouring town of Woolwich (still within the borough of Greenwich) - The Greenwich Heritage Centre which is situated within the grounds of the old Woolwich Arsenal - the town was a garrison town for centuries and mainly housed the Royal Artillery and Royal Horse Artillery.

Not sure what info you are wanting. Greenwich is famous for the Royal Observatory, Naval Hospital and the Cutty Sark. I think there's a local history centre there, which would probably be a good place to visit if you want to trace your ancestry. I had a great-grandmother who lived there briefly, in 'Nelsons Buildings' in 1881. I found that Nelsons Buildings were model dwellings for the poor, a kind of early social housing project.

Katrina If you google it you should get a lot of information as it's an old port area of Kent/ London and a tourist area now. Sheila

Wondered if anyone lives in Greenwich ? My family seemed to have come from that area in the 1800's and would appreciate an insight into the area as hope to visit in 2007. Many thanks katrina Australia