Genealogy Chat

Oh, I am sorry, Jess. Still, although delayed - you will still be there soon, camera at the ready!! take care :) Joy

Hi Jess What bad luck and I hope you manage to get there at the weekend. I know how you feel tho' I was taking my son to the science museum today, a big day out as we live in the wilds of Sussex, but they are on strike :( Chris

Feeling a bit deflated - was going today but plans have had to change. On the downside - I was looking forward to going and seeing On the upside - If it is there today it will still be there on Saturday, Baring fire, earth quake and flood, and then Alan will come with me. Its all been there 40 odd years with out me, it can wait another 3 days. Jess x

If you're looking at contacting a C of E parish, the Diocesan website may help you; specifically: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/deaneries.htm#stalbans There's the Waffle House next to the water mill museum (both worth a visit!). I have to leave all means of payment at home when I go to St Albans - too many attractive shops, including Paton's Bookshop on Holywell Hill. It has a second hand books section (disaster!). Christine

Hi Jess - Pity you won't be in St Albans tonight. You could have joined me for my weekly pub quiz and a little drinky. I am sure you will find it hasn't changed much. The public library is now on the first floor down at the end of the Maltings shopping centre. Have a great day.

Kind of wish there was something more specific i could go hunting for in terms of graves etc. My Birth father was just kind of 'passing through' when I... erm... 'happened'. He went up the chimney at oxford crem some time ago and birth mother is still alive, but not in St Albans. Not really sure why I am going, just because I have the time and chance I suppose. Just to 'feel' maybe Jess

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

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

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

Have fun, shall be thinking of you, Elaine

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

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

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!!)

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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