Genealogy Chat

......if there was a searchable board for posting interest in certain districts eg 'Covent Garden/ Drury Lane before1890's' etc.

Just a thought but don't suppose anyone else will think it's a good idea!

Possibly, but it would take a bit of trawling through. You can join the curious fox site (google to find it) and put your family info on it as well as check others. nell

Hi Helen I have been on the curious fox site but don't find it very user friendly! (perhaps it's me!) The thought occurred as I've just been up in London for the weekend and got the chance to trace some of my ancestors' old 'stamping grounds' and as a lot of the streets no longer exist, thought that others researching the same area might be able to help of benefit from what I'd learnt! Allie x

take a look at rootschat (free to join.) It has county boards and also surname interest tables where you can post messages like Brown Puddletown. If you are interested in a specific area it is worth trying the local history site or the village web site. I had a look at curious fox but found the small type face very off putting. I have left a couple of messages on ancestral villages. It is worth a look but I don't think it is used much.

If you are really interested in Covent Garden DuryLane or there abouts give me a shout and I'll do what I can to help. ;) sharonx

Hi Annie Yes I've also been on Rootschat but don't like the attitude of some of the people on there (too competitive- unlike GR where most people(!) are lovely) - was very rudely treated by someone who took exception to the fact that I'd taken the advice of another rather than hers! Allie x

Thanks Sharon Nothing specific really, it's just that many of the streets have disappeared along with the Strand Union Workhouse (Bear Yard gone- Clare Market now under LSE!) Spent a few hours trying to work out what was where! Cheers Allie x

Hi You can often find out where places were by googling, or seeing the streets immediately before or after on the census. My husband has London ancestors, and a branch of them lived around St Martin in the Fields, Strand and St Giles. Many of them were greengrocers/fruiterers working in Covent Garden. He has an annoying gt gt grandma who says she was born in 'Long Acre' - but no idea whether she means on that road - and if so, which end/side, or is referring to an alleyway off it etc. nell

True Allie, alot of the area recieved direct hit's during the war. Do you mena the St Giles Union Workhouse ? Now *The Hosptal group* occupys the site http://www(.)thehospital(.)dreamhost(.)com// and the flats at the back of the Oasis Swimming pool. The previous Rector of St Giles was a git for throwing things out *angry* But there are records still in the church and in Camden and Westminster Archives as that area is on the boarder. Staff in both Archives are really helpful! I take an interst in the local history as well as my family history. So please if I can be of help give me a shout. If you sit in the Vestry of St Giles they have painted on the walls over the years all the names of the Church Wardens and Rectors going back to the 1500's . I sit there in meetings thinking Shall I look them up on the census? :D