Recent content by MWS

I couldn't see one either so not sure. I'm not sure if this is her in 1861 but there is a Mary Gough with husband Joseph living on Gooch St. The ages are about right but her birthplace is incorrect (from transcript) but close enough to 1851 to imagine an error was made. Interestingly she is...

You may already know this but... I see that the Joseph Owen greengrocer does not marry Mary (Gough nee Lewis) until 1866 and in 1861 he is a widower living with a housekeeper and no children listed. Which would account for the lack of a Thomas Owen in 1861 if he is a stepson.

It looks like you were searching for Alice Saunders but you should have been searching for Alice Rothen. 1939 Register lists her as Alice Beech (Rothen) which indicates a name change, usually because of a marriage.

That appears to be the wrong 1939 register. She and Albert are listed at 13 Mintern Road. She went on to re-marry a Richard Beech in 1946 and appears to have died in 1972.

Statues of Joseph Priestley and James Watt to return... https://www.paradisebirmingham.co.uk/2026/04/21/statues-to-return/

I know it's a not to everyone's taste but here's another very informative youtube video of Curzon no. 2 viaduct...

Like much before 1841 it's not easy to work out. Apart from the two marriages there is another for a Thomas Bailey to a Mary Amos in 1788. Which could mean a third marriage for your Thomas or the presence of a second Thomas. I'm assuming that the Thomas you are interested is the one who is...

Aston Church Road has re-opened, went across the new bridge this morning. You could only turn left at the A47 island so it was a bit pointless for me.

On the 1901 census there is a Matthew J Butcher listed in Aston/Sutton Coldfield. He is listed as an Architect. In 1911 he is listed as Retired, industry listed as Building Trade.

And here is a night time drone view of the future architectural award winner...

At the junction with Watery Lane perhaps from St Andrews Road. Map below (1950) seems to match the photo with the first building a little further forward than the next which is a little further forward than the pub...

Work to be done on (old) Curzon St Station... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rmyy58gk7o

I wonder if that it means it was the most popular place to move away from as well.

That would probably be Arthur (as per findmypast), Ancestry being slow to unblank him.

Sorry, not sure what you mean.