Genealogy Chat

I went to a brilliant talk this evening, given by Stephen Humphrey, the archivist. There were some wonderful illustrations and all sorts of useful snippets - like early newspapers might not report local news because they simply had too few reporters. Instead they filled their pages with stories culled from the national papers.

If your ancestor was a beer retailer, then they often don't show up on directories or maps, but they are listed in rate books, usually with the name of the premises. (From the outside you would not know the difference between a beer house and a public house. Southwark archives is not a diocesan record office, so does not hold the formal parish registers, but it does have: Banns books Burials expenses books (blast, I knew there was a question I wanted to ask and forgot at the time!). These were as good as burial registers, but with rather different details - costs of ringing the bells, digging a child's grave etc and I meant to ask whether details would be noted if paupers were buried. Wesleyan Methodists baptism register: specially printed, but with exactly the same column headings as a C of E register.

Thats pretty cruel Brenda, I didnt think you were that sort of a girl. I do hope you mentioned me to Stephen, I have probably bought half of his sales of the Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Remembered book! I have just written to the South London Press (no reply so far) trying to find any story about the inquest on my GGF, James Hanson, who committed suicide 23 October 1912 at Coopers Road.Old Kent Road, Camberwell. There was an inquest on 28th but although Joan has kindly looked for me, no coroners report survives. Nothing of help at the talk I spose? I would think that would have been the local paper then. Anyway, glad you enjoyed yourself. I can just imagine you sitting there, smug grin knowing that I should be there, eh? (Ill make sure you tread in Ralphs poo next time aswell!)