Genealogy Chat

My own Mum lived in an almshouse in Kings langley Herts. She was priverledged to get it and was told that she got it cos she was a nurse in the community for some years. The little house was over 300 years old! and was owned by some rich geezer who had donated the row of houses to charity to help those that had helped others in the village. The walls of the house were about 3 feet thick! No wonder the rooms were tiny! lol but she was happy there. Little Nell.....maybe your ancestor did some good in his life time too? Gerri x

Well done to all who helped and Gerri I know how you feel. My gt gt gt grandfather, Robert Chowns, was born 1779. His wife died in 1843 and I found him living in an almshouse in 1851. I assumed he would have died shortly after that (this is before I had access to 1861 census). I went through the index books at the FRC - luckily Chowns is a rareish name, so not too many to go through, but they were all handwritten entries, really difficult to read and none were registered in what I thought was the right area. Got up to 1861. Then Freebmd updated their database and I found him - he died at the ripe old age of 83 (cause of death: old age!!!) in 1872. I found he had spent over 20 years in the almshouse. The Times archive online told me that the almshouse had been privately funded and was regularly inspected. It had spaces for 3 men and 3 women and a private chapel for them. They got 1/- a week for meat, grew their own vegetables on an allotment, and got a new pair of shoes every year. Certainly sounds better than the workhouse alternative!!! nell

Death cert arrived this morning. Eliza was aged 92 in 1919 and died of shock after falling down the stairs. She died that same evening. She lived with her son in Walsall. I wonder what age she would have been had she had a stair lift! Just think!.....Eliza lived through the times of Queen Victoria....also.... Florence Nightingale and jessie James. She also lived through the 1st world war! She was a widow for the previous 43 years! Her husband (Daniel) was only 45 when he died of Broncitus :-(( Sad init? She was my Grandmothers Grandmother and now I feel closer to her. It's times like this that I LOVE this damn hobby LOL Happy searching to one n all :-))) and thanks for everyones help. Gerri x

Oh wow!!! Thanks for finding her Barbara :-)))) sending for cert as we speak.... What lovely news to wake up to. You have made my day :-)))) Thankyou thankyou thankyou (singing) OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING! OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY.......:-)) ps...Sorry she's dead but glad to find her lol Gerri x

I dont think she's dead! I think she's a member on here and laughing at me! (im not paranoid...honest!) lol Just looked on 1837 from 1889 to 1908. All 4 quarters on each year!!!! I WILL find you young lady! Grrrrrrr Thats another fiver she owes me! Gerri ;-)

Oh stupid me!!!! the whole family wouldnt be there would they? lol...DOH! I give up!.......not really lol Might leave it till tomorrow tho

ah! ha! had another thought... I wonder if theres a Hospital in Paragetta street, walsall?

Janice I wouldnt know where to start! also scared of looking silly lol I have some credits on 1837 so will spend a few more bob on her there. Thanks for your help girls. Your little treasures happy new year to you both Gerri xx I'll look from 1899 onwards.

Yes, that's 1901 so she was still around then. Good age though. Can you get to a library to search the death indexes after the census date?

Thats 1901 isnt it Janice? Maybe she died about that time?

Got them: page 31 of district 3 Henry and Margaret Overs with Eleanor, Henry and Dorothy Janice

Thats what I thought Jeanette

Jeanette - the Ford family are on page 61. Eliza Overs is nothing to do with them!

This has NOTHING to do with this problem but.... I also have FORD in my tree lol....not that lot tho lol

Oh Im sorry girls. Please dont give up on her. Once i find her death I can then move on to another branch.

Looking at what Jeanette posted above - son is William Ford.

wierd page 32 is page 1 on images they are in a muddle put in page 32 you get page 5 Jeanette

What surname have you found?

Janice This branch have been a pain in the wotzit!.. The Overs used to be Hovers and before that Hovard!

Why does her son have a different surname?