An Introduction from Down Under

[MurrayOz]

Hi. I'm delighted to have found this group. I live in Australia and have only recently discovered I have a very strong connection with the Aston area of Birmingham. I am related to a family of Whitehouse which I understand was a very common name back in the 1800s. My particular branch included John, his son Job whose son, also named Job married Caroline Atkins. One of their children was my grandfather Edgar who emigrated to Australia shortly after 1886. While I understand that genealogy is only one part of this site, I mention it here to provide a context for my interest.

In 1871 Edgar lived at 75 Herbert Road and by 1881 was at 85 Cato Street (both in Aston). If anyone is able to point me to any info about Aston around that time or has specific information about either of those specific streets, I'd be most grateful as I'm keen to learn much more about where he grew up.

Many thanks,
Murray
Canberra, Australia.

 

[Astoness]

hi murray and welcome...the aston area is very well covered on this forum...we most likely have old photos of the streets and roads you are interested in...put the names in the search box to see what comes up...if you need any further help with reseaching your family back we have quite a few members happy to help

lyn

 

[mw0njm.]

Good day MurrayOz and welcome to the forum

 

[brummy-lad]

Hi Murray, welcome to the forum. Attached are maps of Cato Street 1889 and 1950s. Although the 1950s map shows house numbers it is doubtful that these would have been the house numbers at the time that your grandfather lived there, they were most likely numbered consecutively.

It may be possible to establish where the original number 85 was but needs a bit more research.

EDIT: No. 85 was actually as marked on the 1950s map.

 

[MWS]

Aston census district covered many areas of Birmingham many of which wouldn't be considered part of Aston proper. Difficult to show a detailed map showing how close the roads were. This map is from 1889 - pink dots show Herbert Road (Small Heath) which continues off the map, green dots show Cato St (Saltley) and the light blue dot at the top of the map is for Needham St (Nechells) just off the map, where Job and Caroline are in 1891. A link to the full sized sheet follows...

View map: Ordnance Survey, Warwickshire XIV.NW (includes: Birmingham.) - Ordnance Survey Six-inch England and Wales, 1842-1952

maps.nls.uk

 

[brummy-lad]

No. 85 is the house on the left of the church (St. Anne's Church, Cato Street).