Peter Walker
gone but not forgotten
About 18 months ago I started to set up what I hoped would be a comprehensive database of Birmingham pubs. I have done the same for smaller areas like Croydon, where I live, but there were about eight times as many places in the Birmingham area, so it was quite a challenge. It started off quite well, but I was not used to the Microsoft Excel programme I was using, and I ended up scrambling the data rather than sorting it. That was over six months ago, but I was still able to retrieve some material. Then about six weeks ago I killed off my hard disk, and had no back-up either, so I was left with absolutely nothing. This was very vexing, as I was just beginning to see the benefit of such a document, which many peiple would find useful,
So about two weeks ago, I decided I would start all over again. It all goes quite a bit faster second time round, as I know what to expect, and most important, how to sort and manipulate the data. So over the next few months I should have a fairly complete list of Brum pubs and publicans from 1780s to 1973 over two centuries, from the 1770s to the 1970s, all taken from directories.
If and when I ever finish that I should like to get on with a second attempt at a classified directory of Birmingham trades taken from Robson's excellent 1839 directory. I did a map to go with it, which I have also lost. So that's a long way back in the queue.
Peter
So about two weeks ago, I decided I would start all over again. It all goes quite a bit faster second time round, as I know what to expect, and most important, how to sort and manipulate the data. So over the next few months I should have a fairly complete list of Brum pubs and publicans from 1780s to 1973 over two centuries, from the 1770s to the 1970s, all taken from directories.
If and when I ever finish that I should like to get on with a second attempt at a classified directory of Birmingham trades taken from Robson's excellent 1839 directory. I did a map to go with it, which I have also lost. So that's a long way back in the queue.
Peter