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Lovely pics; I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them - thank you!

karro - that's easier to answer! Adventure, opportunity, a fresh start, the chance to make one's fortune etc. Canada was booming and probably didn't have quite so many jewllery workers; so an opportunity to 'better' themselves etc. From the time of the American 'Gold Rush' of 1848, migration...

Shera - those exercise-book 'tables' takes me back....many a time the information saved me from disgrace! I wonder why they aren't used now? I mean, it doesn't cost anything more; and they are packed with useful information. Probably too simple an idea these days.

Hi Karro. There will be have been several such 'slumps' ....... however, there was a general down-turn in many trades during the mid-to-late 1840's (early 1850's even) due to political unrest throughout Europe; which had an economic 'knock-on' effect etc. Although, other industries were...

I enjoyed the 'Brucie' programme too. It's a wonder that anyone can discover anything about their forebears when you take into account all the lies, deceits, forgery and fabrications that come to light only with the aid of highly expensive researchers. It doesn't seem that ordinary, or amateur...

I recall that my mother used butter for 'raising' bruises on the head ... it was important, I was told, that the bruise should 'come out' and NOT 'go in' etc. I have no idea as to whether it is a valid medical practise, but I've used it with all my children too. Apropos of other remedies: I...

Oh, I don't know; coming from the Black Country myself, I can tell you that it was frequently said that a 'Brummie' could make anything, if it could be made with an 'omma' ! I don't think it was wholly a compliment - ;) - which seems a tad unfair to those in the jewellery/gun trades etc. It...

I personally, have no doubt whatsoever that SOME spiritualists are genuine; that there are such things as spirits/ghosts; and that there IS an 'After-Life'. Of course, I may just be psychotic, deluded or insane; (well, no one is perfect) but my life-experiences have led me to this conclusion...

I too vaguely recall something quite terrifying happening in the sixties; but no details....memory like the proverbial sieve these days. However, the hospital was regarded as being a frightening place before then. Two of my cousins lived quite near to the hospital and were occasionally...

I still use the term 'bob-howler' for big moths ......I've often wondered if it referred to their movement: bobbing about etc. Or, could the 'howler' part originally have been 'bowler' - again, a term for a certain type of movement - 'bowling', or 'booling' about ....a 'bob-bowler/booler' perhaps?

Mike, that was very interesting, thank you! Now I can justifiably tell my better-half that I'm not so much an ''idiot'' but more of a 'moron' :D

This is an interesting point Wendy .....when researching such as 'workhouse' admissions-lists, I've often come across the use of ''imbecile, moron, witless'' etc. I believe it behoves us to be accurate; but as you say, to acknowledge any quotes clearly, with quotation marks. Such usage, are...

Kevin ... that sounds interesting; do tell us more!

Yes, that's the pub! I was once infatuated with the daughter of the publican :hoteyes: Circa 1957-1967 (it was a long, and fruitless, infatuation!) :( .....the publican's surname was Horseley (or some similar spelling).

You could also try : ''A century of Birmingham'' by John Alfred Langford, LL.D, F.RH.S but I have no idea as to when it was printed, other than to guess at the mid-to-late Victorian era. A real, and vast wealth of information can be found in the four volumes of ''Staffordshire and...

There are several 'Warstones' within the West Midlands....probably boundary stones, as suggested earlier. I recall that the one in West Bromwich (Warstone Road/Hall) might also be a corruption of West-ton ... the 'settlement in the West' etc....simply a parish demarcation (same thing?)...

The Sow and Pigs - would this be the pub just off HillTop, on the way towards Carters Green???

Re: Major harry gem, article in birmingham sunday mercury to0day (27 june 2010) Harry Gem was also a superb archer, having a particular fascination for the ancient 'longbow'. He also once ran, for a bet, from Birmingham to Warwick.

Best of luck Bernard! Regards, JohnO

Astonite - an excellent post! It is fascinating to recall the 'coping mechanisms' we employed as children to avoid/deal-with all manners of fears and insecurities....children are naturally, I believe, a superstitious crew at the best of times....and that's before adults contribute to their...