Hello,Hi. I'm new to this forum---this is my first post and looking forward to picking the brains of Birmingham history experts who can help me locate where my Gt X 3 grandparents lived in around 1840's. Their names were Joseph and Mary Ann SEALEY ( nee Gorstage). Records show they lived at 3. Court. Vauxhall Rd Aston. B'ham around 1840 --their first son JOSEPH was baptised in St James the Less on 28th Feb 1847. I have found Vauxhaul Rd on the maps---but can't locate " 3 COURT". Anyone have any ideas please? ( hoping it wasn't the criminal court!-----one of their sons was a bit of a jack-the-lad, not my Gt X 3 granddad I'm pleased to say. Appreciate any help in locating this address----looking to pay a visit to your great City later this year to locate this area. THANKS. Dave.
Thanks for your excellent link to article by Francis Wishaw entitled 'Curzon Street Station in 1842'This might be of interest. From "Birmingham New St. The story of a great station, including Curzon St" , by Richard Foster. Pub Wild swan publications.
I agree, the background social history of family history is fascinating and sites like Birmingham History Forum help us to put it into context, with thanks to all the moderators and contributors.Thanks Genmac for your thoughts and useful tips to take the family story further. I will search for old photos as suggested and do some more digging in Union and company records. Regarding the former, my Grandad Herbert ( Joseph Sealey's grandson) was the branch chairman of the local Carter's Union in Bow ( London) in the years before WW1 and I have his "Regalia"--I got the minutes books from the Union Archives held by Loughborough University some years ago now, so I might contact them as a first port-of-call and follow up some of your suggestions. Seems that I'll have to wait a bit longer to see the roundhouse sheds and the restored facade at Curzon St Station--but it'll be worth waiting for.
Thanks Mikejee for the very interesting description of the goods depot in Richard Foster's book. There must be some old photos ( 1850's --1860's with a bit of luck) and I will follow this up. It must have been a magnificent complex and building. If only we could step back in time for just a few minutes eh?
Thanks Jason for the link on my Sealey Family tree. My cousin's husband has researched the Sealey tree and I believe he mentioned he put it on-line. I haven't gone into the link you kindly sent yet but I'm pretty certain it was the tree done by him last year. he hasn't managed to get back any further than Joseph Sealey's father, John ( c1762--Nov 1830) --and his wife's name and details seem lost in the mists of time---we know only that he was born in "Buckingham" ( c1762)and died in London--and his next project is to try to research this further. We believe he may have had a connection with the CANALS ( like his son Joseph) as he was born in Buckingham ( Buckingham canal opened in c 1801)-- his first son John ( c1802--1861) was born there, in Bucks, his second son Joseph ( c1815-1878) was born in London!-----Those Sealeys certainly had the Wander Lust! Fascinating subject all this family social history---and again I'm indebted to all those who continue to point me in the right direction. Regards. Dave