Can You Help?
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Every now and then I get emails from people who would like further information on specific questions they have about Bristol. I’ve got an extensive set of references but obviously these can’t cover absolutely everything about or everyone who’s ever lived in Bristol.
If you have a question or know the answer to a question listed in this forum, please post it. Thank you! This is an easy to use messaging forum for everyone researching their family history or local history. The focus is on the Bristol area. Local Historians and Family Historians have a great deal of knowledge to share. This service is entirely free, with the hope that you and the historian and genealogy community as a whole will benefit from it.
Leave your messages here and come back later for the response.
Lost Streets of Bristol by Jacky Potter
Hi there My grandmother was born in a Cherry Alley in St. Pauls – but I can find no record anywhere of this. Is there somewhere I can check this out please ? Thanks a lot.
MABEL TRIBE & DINGS HOUSE by Jim Newton-Smith
Solon South West Housing Association has recently completed a redevelopment of the former Dings House in St Phillips. We have also reinstalled a plaque to Mabel Tribe, a local noteworthy, who may have lived in the original Victorian Dings House. I wonder whether anyone can provide me with any background information on either Mabel Tribe or Dings House.
35, Berkeley street, Lawrence Hill Bristol by Martin Roberts
I am doing a bit of family history. It involves the Dascombe family and the Randall family. Both families were in the area in the late 1800’s.
I am particularly interested in a Reuben Dascombe who lived at 35, Berkeley street, Lawrence Hill and died in 1893 at 1, Berkeley Street. But I cannot find Berkeley Street, Lawrence Hill , there is one by Eastville park but Unfortunately, that road does not appear to have any houses on it.
I was wondering if Lawrence Hill covered that far in those days ( if so it may have been bombed ), or there was a Berkeley Street in Lawrence Hill that has now vanished.
The Randall Family ran a fruit buisness at 3, Milk Street, I have seen your picture but cannot be certain which one is no3. Can you help.
P.S. Reuben ran the Royal Steam engine, Gas Lane, St, Philips. He got stopped for drink driving in 1876. I can send you the newspaper article if you would like to see it.
DANIEL J GARDNER, MARSTON ROAD,KNOWLE by D. Gardiner
I’ve traced a distant relative of mine to 29 Marston Road,Bristol.His name was Daniel John Gardner.He died at that address in October 1975.His wife Nora Louise was still alive at that time.Her maiden name I think was Richards.Daniel was a retired Clerical Officer with the National Assistance Board.Though born in Wales in 1894 he lived most of his life in Bristol.He had several sisters who seem to have all married in the Bristol area.Their married surnames were Way,Wybourne,Saunders and Wiles.Interested to hear if anyone knows of this Gardner family.
Avonmouth in WWII by Tyler Green
Can anyone shed light on what was the job of the American soldiers who worked at Avonmouth docks during WWII??
Collingwood House, Easton Road, Bristol by Andy Furlong
Does anyone know about Collingwood House, Easton Road, Bristol?
Corvettes by Neil Fothergill
Don,t know if you can help my name is Neil Fothergill and my dad played in a band called The Corvettes .also Paul Clayton and the Corvettes and Alan Dale and The Corvettes in the 1960s.is there anyone with any info or pics of this band that you know of would be great if you could help pleeeeeeeease.
KBK Shoes on Cheltenham Road by Tom Wilkes
Trying to locate old photos of my dad’s Dr Martens shoe shop KBK Shoes on Cheltenham Road, Bristol. The exact address of the shop is 203a Cheltenham Road Bristol BS6 5QX.
Malago Valley flood defence 1970’s by Samantha Parsons
I looking for photos of the construction of the Malago Valley flood defence in the early 1970’s.
Speedwell Road by Steven Green
I was hoping you could help me I have a cottage on the top end of speedwell road next to roegate house and it seems it was built in 1833 and was one of the crofts end farm workers cottages on Churchill lane there was originally two dwellings originally so I understand Another 8 cottages were built on the side to form the terrace row (this is clear from the different stone work) some half a century later. I’m sure there must be some old pictures of the cottages just as the pair I am intrigued to find out more I wondered if you could shed some light on this for me I heard a family of nine lived in the two cottages at one point and there is a bricked up arch joining the two cottages which I must add have different roof lines so perhaps these were built separately as well?
Hillfields Estate Fishponds& old mine workings by David Holbrook
In the course of a property sale a mining search from the Coal Archive – not the best one I know – suggested that there is a mine shaft in the garden of the property plus one in adjacent waste land.
I have been searching any sources whilst waiting for a report from Bristol Mining Archive and was intrigued to see on a plan of the Hillfields estate the large number of odd shaped bits of land not developed or incorporated into gardens. Could this be due to the presence of known mine workings I wonder. Similar site plans for Southmead, Sea Mills, Bedminster etc show that all available land used.
Soundwell Pit was very close to Hillfield and its old working go that way, certainly as far as the parish boundaries.
Any comments or information would be much appreciated.
Longwell Green South Gloucestershire BS30 by Geoff
I have been researching the istory of the Parish of Bitton for 40 years. I have traced the history of The Wheatsheaf Inn back to at least 1840. I have found no evidence of Ernest Pomeroy being the landlord of the Crown Inn before opening his shop. I have trace the history of the Crown back to 1850, possibly it goes back further. I have found no evidence of the Butcher’s Arms having been a slaughterhouse. It was in existence prior to 1843 and possibly goes back to the 18th century. I am at present preparing a history of Longwell Green which I hope I shall be publishing in the next two or three years. I have already published the history of All Saints church.
Snowdon Buildings Bristol by Ron Clevely
Does anyone know where Snowdon buildings were in 1905
Match Factory Dove Lane Redfield Bristol by Smithy
Hello,my name is Elaine Smith.I live in Western Australia,but was born in Bristol. I’am researching my family tree and was wondering if you could help me.My Grandmother’s name was Alice Izetta Balsom,her parent’s were Ernest Balsom and Harriet Izetta Mountain.Some time in the 1800’s the Balsom family had connection’s with the Match Factory in Dove Lane Bristol.
My Greatgrand Parents lived in 3 Moorfield’s Lane,later known as Dove Lane.What I would like to try and find out is,was some one from the Balsom family the owner’s and what is the history of the Match Factory.I have tried to find this information on the internet,but have come up with nothing.I do know that some member’s of the Balsom family did work as match packer’s.Any information or advice you can give me on the Match Factory would be greatly appreciated.Thank you.
Mission House and Reading Rooms, Richmond Hill, Clifton by Sue Jones
Long story short I have been looking at the English censuses for 1881 – 1901 and found the following address.
1881 Mission House, Clifton Gloucestershire
1891 Reading Room, Richmond Hill, Clifton, Bristol Gloucestershire
1901 Redland Mission House, Richmond Hill, Bristol Gloucestershire
The same lady lived there at each census so I know it is the same place. Unfortunately, I can’t find her or the address in the 1911 census
Does anyone have any knowledge or information about this Mission House & Reading Room?
Fudge Boot Manufactueres by Deborah Howells
I am looking for information about a boot factory belonging to Thomas Fudge. It was situated between Orchard Road and Albert Road, St George. I know it was there in 1902 as the Bristol Archives have planning documents showing additions to the buildings.
I have not been able to find any photographs of this factory or any inforamtion about Fudge Boot Manufactueres and wondered if it was bombed during the war? If you can help, I would appreciate it.
Absalom Palmer by Marg
looking for details of a Absalom Palmer he married Mary Ann Peacock in 1853 , Mary Ann born 1831 Mount Hill Hanham so i am presuming absalom was born around about same time give or take afew years i can find 1 absalom that matches one about the same age on the census , Mary and Absalom did have a daughter rachel born 1856 in Birmingham , Rachel came to Bristol and lived with grandpaprents James and Hannah in 1861 and 1871 .no signs of Rachels parents .
any info welcome
Roland Peacock of Mount Hill Hanham Bristol by Marg
Roland Peacockl born 1886, son of Joseph and Rachel, Joseph had the market gardens in Mount Hill, Hanham. Roland married Rosa Jackson in 1912 , what i am looking for if any one knows anything about roland after he married , i believe he continued to live in Mount Hill after his parents died ?? any info welcome.
Pountney Pottery History by Liz Hodgson
Some of my HODGSON ancestors were potters in Bristol and lived in the Temple area of Bristol. I have found some history on the net about the history of the POUNTNEY company (and one name on a list- which indicates they prob worked for them) , but are there any records anywhere of their employees or apprentices. Is there anywhere I can look to purchase a piece of the 1800 pottery/ceramics as it would be nice to own a piece from the era they worked there.
Tony Wallace Mina Road Bristol by Asibe
Looking for any information on Tony Wallace who ran a secondhand shop in Mina Road Bristol 1970s.
Bristol Musician by Dennis Mitchell
Looking for any info on my dad Dennis George Mitchell who passed away some time back, he was a well known musician in the 60s and 70s and was in the Navy, would be very grateful for any info. Dennis Mitchell (son)
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