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Slums

I remember those sort of brummie's, did't have much in the way of earthly goods, but fiercely independent, and self relient, and would't thank you for any kind of charity, salt of the earth most of them. I don't think we will see there like again.
paul
 
The location of picture would have given you a smell of the gas works right enough. I seem to have visited this spot quite a lot lately with respect to Nechells Place. Anyway the triangle with three trees on it....look to the left of this and the small by then open area with a path is possibly the last bit of Nechells Greenery. If you look at the first pathway to the left of there, up from Saltley Road; that is the fenced passage in the picture. The three row houses are shown and even the wooden shed...right picture. A picture taken from the passage would have given the shot. The slightly diagonal Road starting from bottom left of the 1890 map is Saltley Road. The fenced yards would be represented by the larger squares. Maybe Saltley Road was painted on the back houses to denote the address status. Actually this picture is interesting for another reason in that it seems to show a glimpse of the much older remaining building in the trees further up the hill (look between the chimneys and in front of the gasometer) which can be seen on the map. Not much but if it is...then all that we have of that building.

link:https://www.british-history.ac.uk/m...tid=10095&ox=946&oy=1891&zm=1&czm=1&x=344&y=5
 
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I have no information at all with this one but it was in an envelope with other stuff that all relates to Birmingham.
 
Hello Paul, I suppose it could be, someone might have seen the picture before and have more information on it.e.
I was born and raised in Acocks Green in a three bedroom house with a downstairs bathroom, outside toilet and a front and back garden. I was married with a child when I was sent by an agency to sort out some hooligan drinkers at The Dolphin pub in Acocks Green. Whilst there a city councillor said that because I was living in a horrible flat above a shop on Yardley Road, she would attempt to put my case for a house to some commitee or other. I ended up with a back to back in Freeth Street Ladywood it was not too dreadful really because most people were working in those days but it gave me an insight into what it must have been like years earlier, ooh god , not for me thank you.
Nice to know you still with us Graham.
stitcher.
 
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Another one without information but there is part of an advertisement on the back for somewhere in Witton, this does not mean the picture was in Witton but it leads me to think it was taken in Birmingham
 
Just watched the recorded documentary about Kelly, the girl who was first filmed as a 10 year old in 2000 and then again to see how the family had got on.I watched the first one in 2000, but watching it again tonight, made me think that slums are still around, even today, quite sad really.
Sue
 
hi jojo..here is a pic of gt lister st and willis st which is on the left...it shows hucksters shop on the corner..

mike if you see this post could you find out please what number the shop was please..just wondering if 2/4 is showing..

lyn

Great-Lister-Street-Willis-Street-.jpg
 
I wonder if there are any articles anywhere about the people who lived in these properties when they were brand new.
Surely the places we call slums were a 'new' home to someone once upon a time.

Were they as excited as we would be moving into a new home.?
 
Alberta said:
I wonder if there are any articles anywhere about the people who lived in these properties when they were brand new.
Surely the places we call slums were a 'new' home to someone once upon a time.

Were they as excited as we would be moving into a new home.?
Click to expand...

Didnt really seem all that bad if you grew up with it. It was just what you were used to. Till I was about 14 in the mid 60s, I lived in a back to back, one tap, one electricity socket, shared toilet, no bathroom, one coal fire etc. 4 kids, a living room about 12' X 10'

Didnt feel like an overcroded damp cold slum to me, just felt like home.
 
[h=2] This is a copy of my gt grandfathers obituary which gives an insight into what the area around Burbury Street was like c 1853.


A Handsworth Octogenarian’s Death [/h][h=3]The late Mr. Jennings, of Lozells Road, who died on Sunday in his 88[SUP]th[/SUP] year, was one of the oldest inhabitants of Handsworth, and his recollections of that portion of Greater Birmingham were very interesting. He was by business a baker, and at one time was known as the largest buyer of flour in Birmingham. He was also a large buyer of house property, and was considered as great an expert in this class of speculation that many people used to go to the old gentleman or advice and information on prospective purchases. In the early days the populous and busy street now known as Burbury Street was a large clayhole on a piece of waste ground, where the only dwellers were a few squatters in ramshackle huts. Mr. Jennings bought the last stack of bricks from Lewis, the owner o the brick works, when the work of building on the land was begun. It is a matter of regret that three old residents of the district- Mr. Jennings, Mr. H .H. Hartshorne (the first president of the Aston Villa) and Mrs. Alfred Taylor(the widow of the late Alderman Taylor)- have all passed away within a few days of each other. [/h]Aris’s Gazette, January 25[SUP]th[/SUP] 1913
 
How very interesting Wendy, so nice to be able to read about your ancestors like that, with so much area history included, @ 88years he was indeed a great age for the times when life expectancy was around 48yr's for men.
paul
 
I have never thought about that Paul, perhaps it is connected to Bloomsbury Street and Bloosbury Park, both are in Nechells.
 
Hi both, if you look again at the address, it says Godwin Street, Bloomsbury, Godwin Street was Nechells, there is a threadwhich mentions it, sadly the pics were hacked, if you type Bennetts Paper shop in the search, it will take you to the thread, I think from Gervann
I wonder if they got all the things they were asking for?
Sue
 
What a fascinating photo, a real period piece, but what would happen to those older women in a few years, no pensions!!?, "The Work House".
paul
 
Yes Paul but they supported each other and had a community as well, of the time. Great photo Stitcher.
 
I've just found my Gt Gt grandmothers will, she lived in Staniforth St. after moving from London Prentice St. She died in 1889 leaving £125 18s 3d, quite a sum for those days. Maybe they all weren't as poor as they looked.
Lynne.
 
Haven't been on the forum for some time now ,just popped in tonight ..I was born in a back to back "slum" house in Hockley ..as Col said ...
Didn't feel like an overcrowded damp cold slum to me, just felt like home.
I am so glad that I spent my first years in one of these "slums"
 
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