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Heathfield Road Handsworth

not unusual for father and son to have the same christian name and quite possible his father did live outside brum and maybe after the marriage he moved out of brum hence you cant find any children born here shame you cant give his name as there are not many mysteries the very good researchers on here dont solve but good luck with your research hope you find the info you are looking for

lyn
 
Thanks. I am aware that it's not unusual for father & son to have the same forenames. Have just heard from my cousin who visited my aunt when she was terminally ill. She tells me that our aunt told her mother that one of the children was a "hermaphrodite" to quote our aunts' own words.
We are going to send for her death cert in the hope it will give a bit more info, eg name of informant, address of deceased etc. I'm giving myself a headache with this one.
 
good luck senoraruz ive had a few headaches myself researching my family history..if there is anything we can help you with just give us a shout

lyn
 
Goodness me senoraruz, that's one I haven't come across before. I wonder if your aunt meant something else but I can't think of anything that could be mistaken for 'hermaphrodite'. My husband's aunt always got words slightly wrong such as when she was in hospital she always referred to the auxilliaries as 'orgrillizies'. Do let us know how you get on.
 
There is a condition in humans known as an hermaphrodite, so it may be correct, but may be wrong too.
 
Yes, I realise it is a medical condition, but it seems unlikely that my aunt would broadcast to the world that her child had the condition.
Knowing the Brummie propensity for malapropisms (my gran was a past master at getting the wrong word) I think that's the most likely explanation & I am very grateful that it has been suggested. I suppose it just remains to be seen.
 
what a great photo viv..one i have not seen before..lovely to see the old shops on the right which of course would have been closer to the church than shows in todays shot (probably under the flyover)....i was baptised at holy trinity

lyn
 
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Rita Hawkins said:
I've just found this thread so a bit late coming to the party but I was born in Heathfield Rd Maternity Hospital too, and lived with my Mom in Hamstead Rd, in the front room of my Uncle and Aunt's flat. Hamstead Rd looks very smart now. I remember the trams coming up the middle of the road.

Edit. For those interested in Heathfield Maternity Home there is a thread using this link https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/heathfield-maternity-hospital.47910/
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Even later to the party - I was born there too; we lived in Francis Street, Nechells, and I don't know to this day why I was born in Handsworth........
 
Vivienne14 said:
A scene that’s vastly changed, with only Trinity Church recognisable. Viv.

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I so remember that intersection, old view. I had a friend from Westminster Rd school that lived just out of view on the left. Sometimes we would play after school have a jam sandwich then I would take the bus to Villa Cross from the bus stop on the right. Sometimes I would keep the penny for a bun then walk home!
Long time ago!
 
This house/shop has been mentioned on the Villa Cross thread. The B&W photo dates to 1963. To its left, just in view, is the Villa Cross Cinema. It’s possible the original cast iron road sign is the same one still above the doorway. The cinema has gone and new residential buildings have replaced it, although I think they’re set further back than the original cinema footprint. We might have been able to detect a ghost sign on the wall of the alleyway, but it now seems to have had several years of paint applied. Looks a bit forlorn today compared to the days when it was part of a quaint terrace. Viv.

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Vivienne14 said:
This house/shop has been mentioned on the Villa Cross thread. To its left just in view is the Villa Cross Cinema, The cinema has gone and new residential buildings have replaced it, although set back further than the original cinema footprint. Viv.

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The shop was owned by Mrs Brandt and was always visited on our way to the Saturday morning pictures at the Villa Cross! Or anytime wait for the bust to Perry Barr.
 
Must have done a roaring trade !

We have previously discussed the point about whether this was a listed building (on the Villa Cross thread), but came to the conclusion it isn’t. Seems strange to me that it’s still standing. Anyone know anything about it’s status ? Viv.
 
Absolutely Lyn and Richard. There must be a story behind it. Just guessing here, but if there was any road widening needed at this busy junction the house would be in the way. Even the new developments have been set back from the road when the original footprints of both the cottages and cinema must have been closer to Heathfield Road. Viv
 
The modern Streetview image in post #50 was taken 3 years ago. This was the view 3 months ago. The house now has a side gate and fencing leading to the rear. Looks more like a building with a future (although we know nothing is permanent when it comes to buildings). Viv.

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Have been looking at past images showing the house through time which was either one of several terraced houses of Heathfield Terrace or adjoined to the Terrace. The red dot throughout is the house that’s still standing today. The 1963 image gives a good idea of what the terrace once looked like. The painted sign on the side of the shop was in 1950 an Ovaltine advert, this had been replaced with a different advert by the1980s (possibly a billboard) but all advertising is now completely obliterated. Viv.

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Vivienne14 said:
Have been looking at past images showing the house through time which was one of several terraced houses of Heathfield Terrace. The red dot throughout is the house that’s still standing today. The 1963 image gives a good idea of what the terrace once looked like. The painted sign on the side of the shop was in 1950 an Ovaltine advert, this had been replaced with a different advert by the1980s (possibly a billboard) but all advertising is now completely obliterated. Viv.

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Viv, wonderful pics and memories!
 
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