Hi Lyn, a map would be great, i've been working off an 1885 map on the internet, i'm hoping Central Library has a collection of useful maps. If you've a map, that'd be really useful. I'm a youngster at 35, i get the feeling a lot of the old streets of Birmingham had gone by the time i was born, i find it utterly fascinating though...much to the annoyance of my other half! Dad however is very much a walking A-Z!
I went through the 1911 census for William Street house by house yesterday so i've a better idea of what was there in terms of courts etc. I'm looking forward to comparing it to the elctoral register for the 20's 30's 40's etc to see how it changed over time. I found two pubs yesterday that are listed on the midlandspubs website. There looks to possibly be a white pub on one of the photos
William Street No 73-129 - Corner Gower Street Newtown - 11-_opt.jpg , a little way down the road with a sign hanging over the doorway. I'd like to see if it is and if i can identify it.
If you're interested in the 1885 map that i've found extremely useful, have a look at
http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/maps/index.jsp?layer=europe&xMin=3212145&yMin=2896707&xMax=3242145&yMax=2926707 You'll need to choose Boundary maps (as opposed to topographic or land use maps), then double click on the map (opposite the boundary map series list) a few times until you have 'zoomed in' on the centre of Birmingham. Then scroll down the page a little way and you will find a further list of maps, double click on Boundary Commission Report 1885 and that will open the map in a new window. You can then zoom in and out on this map and has nearly all the roads, named, as they were in 1885. I've found this invaluable in working on my family tree. I hope you find it interesting.
Would you mind emailing me directly the photo
William Street No 73-129 - Corner Gower Street Newtown - 11-_opt.jpg, I’d like to see if I can get put a higher resolution image through Photoshop to see if I can see any more detail. I’ve put my email address on my profile. No problems at all if you’d rather not.
Thanks again. Paul