Forum Topic

St John Parish

Could anyone tell me if St John Parish, Southall is still there? This is part of my ancestry research. Many thanks. Apologies if I'm in the wrong county forum asking this question.Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6543d11 Comments

Forgot to add -Quote:The busiest shop in King Street..with queues out to the pavement was for the "Royal" sweets shop. There's another story there too..one day!!Definitely want to hear about that Jim.We have a series on tv at the moment called 'Windsor'. I didn't see it but June said they showed the produce shop. She's taped it for me to see. Very interesting seemingly.

Joan Perry ● 6542d

What fantastic information Jim. I like the way you describe the places, I can feel myself there also. Now about Featherstone School, that I don't know if grandparents went there. I will ask my Aunty. British Ancestry has certainly dug deep into my dad's ancestry. In the 'olden day's' it looked like they changed the spelling of their names and in our case used their middle name as their first name. Which caused some headaches for researchers. But we got there in the end. One side of the family said Walter John, the other side saying John Victor, it turned out to be John Walter! Also my Grandma's surname was Angel, but now confirmed Angel with a 'LL' Angell. Now a simple question about St John's Church has us going again. I'm loving every minute of it.Again thank you Jim.

Joan Perry ● 6542d

Jim - the queue was probably because tomorrow is Rakhi.  If we are looking at sharing the best from all our religions and cultures then this is a lovely celebration!http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Society/Rakhi_-_The_Thread_of_Love__137874.html

Sarah Felstead ● 6542d

That quick trip to Southall was quite revealing.I did a detour down Bridge Road on that Middlesex Business Estate..and looking at the map noticed that blue offshoot from the Grand Union Canal.  To the right of "ad" on the Bridge Road name you'll see the word "Works" with two railway lines attached. Well that is the old Quaker Oats factory apparently..with a canal overhanging wharf attached..and today the huge factory is only partly used...making own brand Puffed Wheat for Asda and other supermarkets. No wonder! That burning smell we sometimes get in the night....its toasting those wheat bits..and then exploding them to size..before packing them into cartons and hitting your breakfast table!  That canal scene needs some attention from a camera!The busiest shop in King Street..with queues out to the pavement was for the "Royal" sweets shop. There's another story there too..one day!!Those Victorian houses and shops under the shadow of the Gasometer were vibrant too. Dudley Road and Queens Road must be revisited!It just so happened that on my return from that area I travelled down Sussex Road..not realising it's signficance!It will be easy to return..with a camera ideally! Would your grandparents have both gone to Featherstone School one wonders..and as we know some Schools keep log books.

Jim Lawes ● 6542d

Following all the research you are so ably doing from 10,000 miles away, I think Forum TW8 can make some progress on this one Joan!!St John's Parish Church is certainly there today ..with a separate and large sized vicarage next door on one side, and a Parish Church Hall on the other.It's a large "red" bricked Church..long in length too...with a tower and a visible bell on top. Situated on the right hand side as you go down Church Avenue, the Church buildings find themselves today in the middle of a very Indian and Pakistani" area..full of vibrant activity....just off the shopping parades in King Street.The Foundation stone was laid on 6th November 1909 during the last year of King Edward 7th's life..and so St John's Church would have been fairly brand new in 1916 when your folks married there.  At the end of Church Avenue is the closed and locked gates today of Haverstock Cemetery.Here is the address of the church in case you wish to send them an e-mail!St John's ChurchChurch Avenue, Southall, UB2 4DHTel: (020) 8574 2055Services: Sun 11am and 6.30pmEmail: mpoulson@fish.co.uk

Jim Lawes ● 6542d

Hi Jim. Many thanks for the map. Now I have an idea where it is. But you would never believe what else I saw on that map! Before my grandparents married in 1916 (John Martin and Eliza Angell) they lived on Sussex Road. John at 81 and Eliza at 77. If you look to the left of the map you can see Sussex Rd. After they married they lived somewhere in Norwood Green, then Heston, then later moved to Crane Ave, about 1923.  Remember Crane Ave Jim?  How exciting (again).Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6543d

Larger sized map!

Jim Lawes ● 6543d

Hi JoanHere is a current map of the area..which is just "up the road" past Heston and Norwood.  There is a railway event at Southall today(GWR Club) so I might take a look ..although my camera is at the repairers.The map shows two churches close by in that centre section.

Jim Lawes ● 6543d

Thanks Vanessa. I have just received the information via email  from 'British Ancestry' that this is where my grandparents were married in 1916. I was wondering if the church itself is still standing. Sorry Vanessa I should have put that in my opening post. Joan.

Joan Perry ● 6543d

Also don't forget Joan you may find help at - The National Archives at Kew - www.nationalarchives.gov.uk - for all sorts of records and the Family Records Centre in Islington for birth, marriage and death certs.

Vanessa Smith ● 6543d

Oops forgot. Only post icons in second posting.  Sorry.

Joan Perry ● 6543d