Genealogy Chat

Tommorow I have the opportunity to go to the town I was born in, just for a couple of hours. Other than seek out addresses - luckily all near the town centre, where else should I go? I can't imagine there is a records office there (St Albans-someone correct me if i'm wrong) so to other than the libriary, where I might find info relating to the early 60's, where else should i go? I went to college in this town to sightseeing has been done, just had no idea it was my place birth then, so am going with a different perspective. jess x THIS LOOKS LIIKE HAVING TO GO ON HOLD UNTIL THE WEEKEND - I'M SO DISAPPOINTED

i only live in a small town but we do have a small museum in the town centre. It may be nice to go and see if they have any old photos - you never know, you may find some of your ancestors as i know our museum has some of mine! They also sell small books of the town years ago for a small price, they could do the same! Claire x

St Albans is a brilliant place - try a google search for museums. There are loads! http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/

The only thing with St Albans is it Roman connections, guess that will be focus of musems there - ... and i'm not quite that old ! Jess :-)

Neither am i Jess (only 25!) but i found quite a few connections - you never know! c x

I want to find out things like where they lived, where they worked and its only early 60's i'm looking at. Have all the addresses of where they lived so me and the camera will be there.Whats the betting the old bus garage wll now be a loft coversion job! Jess

I am sure the central St Albans library will be able to help. And although some of the places might have been demolished, the original street plan might still be there. St Albans also has some lovely shops. nell

As Helen said St Albans Central Library The St Albans library has holdings that include directories, files of newspapers, census records, the IGI, and many reference guides. They also have a lot of unique material, and in addition, hold the Lewis Evans Collection of Hertfordshire local history. Contact: St Albans Central Library The Maltings St Albans Herts Tel: 01438 737333 Keith

Shall be thinking of you, Jess. Glad you'll have a camera. If I were you I'd take photos of the name plates of the streets to look at them later. Good luck. :) Joy

Before I retired I worked for Social Services and did Life Story Books for my children I was responsible for who were in care of the local authority. I used to take pictures of the Town signs and streets names as well as tryng to take pictures of the houses they lived in. They loved it, I think it made it more real for them. Perhaps your ancestors will feel the same when they see the signs of where you used to live. Good Luck - have a nice day. Regards Irene

Joy, I it doesn't move i'll photograph it.That is the joy of a digital camera, isn't it? One of the birth places i want to photgraph is now an employment agency so that should be interesting, maybe sweet talk an employee and get inside! jess

Why not see the Vicer of what would of been your local Church he might of been there some time or put you on to the one that was there, plus you can always arsk to have a look at any BDMs they might have.

Also there s the locel/parish councel offices, local news papers, Old family shops that have been in the same family from that time, Pubs are good for asking about people who might remeber such and such or so and so.?? Think like some one asked you were to go for the same resons as you What would YOU surgest

I googled the name and up came a picture of the place that other adopted people had put on the net. Whilst searching for addresses - you'd be amazed at how many have been bulldozed - in fact the last address I found for my bf was in the process of being demolished but I managed to find one of the last couple of residents who pointed me in the right direction (fate!!)

Jess I live not far from St Albans (was there only last night) It's a lovely old town. My suggestion is....go buy a street map, have ya walking shoes on. Enjoy the 'feel' of the place, after all....this is YOUR town. Walk.bus.taxi or drive till you drop lol but most of all.... ENJOY IT! I'll be thinking of you as Im sure alot of others on here will be too. Gerri x ps...I took a photo of the house where my G.grandmother was born the other week in Walsall. Wow! the feeling was a one off! Have fun x

The daft thing is , I went to college there for 2 years and used to get off the bus at the end of HER road..just didn't know it then. Guess it has all changed a lot. Know the basic geography so shouldn't get lost.... I BET! Jess x

Have fun, shall be thinking of you, Elaine

Have a real good time, and hope you get all you want from your visit...I am sorting out something for my rellies too...visit to the areas they were born and died...so I know how exited you must be....good luck, Anne xx

Hi Jess, If you do the library you might find they have detailed info of local cemetaries. My local one has and it has greatly helped me locate ancestors graves from way back. I knew where granny, grandad etc were buried bt this put me onto g grandad and g g granny. Shaun

Hope you enjoy it, i went to my mothers home town last year and was able to find my grandfathers grave, even though it was unmarked. Happy hunting and take loads of piccys. Alison