Islington Blind School and Organists

[Christopher Witcomb]

I am trying to trace an ancestor Robert James Witcomb born in Tamworth 1839 [and especially his father of same name born about 1806, where? and his mother Louisa 1809- 1887 born and died Birmingham]

Robert junior was born blind and was in the Islington [row?] Blind School [5 ways] in 1851 census and I believe stayed there many years to become a teacher [of music]before starting his own business

He was a pianist and organ player [in church? St Lukes?] and later advertised as a music teacher and possibly a retailer of pianos in the Edgbaston area ?

He was married twice , first to Elizabeth Whitehurst [1837-1885] a marriage which produced two children Charles Percy and Lucy Mary and then later [following death of first wife] to Elizabeth Adcock [who was also blind and may also have been a teacher at the blind school]

He lived to 1909 in Edgbaston area.

I believe the centre opened in 1847 in Islington House Broad St but then relocated to Carpenter rd in 1852 [and closed in 1954]

I have read that many organists , pianists and piano tuners came from blind schools including Birmingham . The opening of these Schools may have been due to the large numbers of blind children in early Victorian times [then an unknown result of parental Syphilis]

I am related to Robert Juniors older brother, John James Witcomb who is my gg grandfather.

I would like to know if there any documents for admission to the blind school [as would be completed by parents]
Also if there is a register of teachers at the institute across the period

I also read somewhere that there was a blind piano tuner and retailer from Islington called Mr Richards who may have been later in same business?

Also is there a list of St Luke and other local church organists 1855 - 1907?

Any help , comments appreciated

Best Regards
Chris

Researching Witcomb, Perry & Robberts

 

[Di.Poppitt]

Helo Chris and welcome. If there are exhisting records of the Blind School it is likely that they are held in Birmingham Central Library in the archives section. You can contact them here [email protected] They will tell you of any holdings, there is a charge if you ask the archavist to search them, no charge if you prefer to visit. You would need proof of identity, ie driving licence or utilities bill, before you can search yourself, and it is a good idea to book a reader in advance.

If you go to the top of this page, in the blue bands and click on search, you are then given options, we have in the past had posts on blind piano tuners that may be of some interest to you.

Good Luck