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Janet's Research

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Please email if you can help. I will forward to the writer.

Seeking people

ARMITAGE: Have you researched the Armitage family of Brentford, including Bigley Armitage? Narelle is piecing together her husband's family line in the 18th century and hopes another descendant will be able to assist in proving links

BOND/CARPENTER: Tony Carpenter seeks a Bond/Carpenter link; Charles Carpenter b1819 d1899 is part of his ancestry; see DNA details (March 2011)

BROOKS: Barry Pearce is hoping to make contact with Patricia Whelan: Barry's maternal grandfather Alfred Brooks was a brother to Patricia's grandfather, Thomas W Brooks, both living at 70 High Street late 19th and early 20th century; has anyone a current email address for Patricia? (April 2010)

BURRAGE: Graham Goulding is researching the Burrage family; he has a letterhead: Burrage Bros, Timber and Slate Merchants at New Lane Enfield and Brent Wharf, 180 High Street: does anyone remember Burrage Bros? (Feb 2011)

BURRIDGE: Peter Burridge writes 'I am very interested to find out any further details about the Burridge family and share any details, as I know that several branches of the family lived in and around Brentford for many years. I have confirmed most house locations and the occupations of these family members and could certainly supply details if interested. Some residences include: 29 Orchard Road, 28 Clifden Road, 62, High Street, 43 Ealing Road. Mainly between 1886 - onwards. I would be very grateful to contribute or find out more details if possible, as this part of the family are all directly related to me (August 2011)

CHAPPLES: Simon Holloway is interested in contacting researchers into the Chapples family of the Brentford/ Chiswick area (April 2010)

CLEMENTS: John Deane: his grandmother, May Florence Clements b. 1889, was the eldest child of James Clements, Charter Mayor of Brentford; John is keen to learn more about the Clements family (Oct 2010)

COLE: Richard Taylor who has been in touch about William Charles Cole, Brentford fireman (possibly a part-time volunteer); a photo of his medals is included; is William Charles Cole part of your family tree? (Sep 2010)

FLEETWOOD: Mike Field writes 'I am a great g g grandson of Reuben and Louisa Fleetwood and their daughter Elizabeth'; I am looking for more information about Louisa and in particular her parents details (October 2009)

GEARY: Barbara Harrison of Canada seeks descendants of the Geary family of Twickenham (June 2009)

HILLIARD: John Kite is searching for information on the Hilliard families of New Brentford, in particular Thomas/William/Benjamin names (November 2009)

HONEYBONE: Julie P would be grateful for the opportunity to see if anyone remembers June Honeybone at school, or her parents Frank and Evelyn Honeybone of 75 Ealing Park Gardens'; 'one of our direct ancestors was a helper to the Ascott Martyrs and has her name inscribed on a bench in Ascott, Oxfordshire' ; see Honeybone gathering details(September 2011)

HOPKINS: Dawn Welch nee Hurdwell is trying to establish if the Edward Hopkins on the war memorial is related to the Walter Hopkins in her family (Oct 2010)

HOWSON: Beverley Scott seeks her cousins: children of Kathleen Howson (born 1923), Pauline Howson (1927) and Tom W Howson (1929). The Howson family (headed by Tom Howson and Catharine Mackintosh who married in 1922) lived in the Brentford area in the late 1920s through to the 1940s (May 2009)

KNOWLING: Clements Knowling Ltd was a Brentford canal carrier business; Mrs. Sophie Ashford writes 'Do any descendants of James Clements know anything about his partner/fellow director "my old and valued friend and partner in business". George Knowling was my great grandmother's brother. I would be most interested to hear from anyone who may have information about him.' (November 2009)

MACKEY: Pat Green writes 'I was born at 34 Clayponds Avenue Brentford on 2nd October 1947. My mother and father lived before that in Carville Crescent. My name was Pat Mackey, in those days, so if anyone remembers me that would be wonderful. I have lived away for over 30 years but still come back from time to time and still love Brentford and always will!!' (May 2009)

MOORE: June Bagley writes from Perth, Western Australia 'Richard Malam Moore married my cousin (once removed), Dora Margaret Clyne Christian in Bray, Wicklow in 1931.' Dr Richard Malam Moore died in 1973, aged 70; ' I noticed Dr Richard Moore in the telephone books in Brentford from around 1968--1981 at the Brentford Health Clinic, I was wondering if this could be the son. I am looking for the descendants of Richard Malam Moore and Doris Margaret Clyne Christian' (December 2009)

PARSONS: see Andrea's request

PASSEY: Sue O’Donnell writes 'My dad lived at 29 Distillery Road, Brentford as a child, he’s 79 now. Do you have any photos or information please? His name is James Passey, his sister is Lilian and their parents were Thomas and Amy but were known as Tama and Cath.' (March 2009)

PLASTINE: Deborah Selby (nee Plastine) seeks other Plastine researchers (April 2011)

SANDERS/SAUNDERS: of Brentford, Middlesex– a link to Thomas Cromwell?' writes Vicki Powys; an intriguing story, spanning over 300 years; 'perhaps there are some Cromwell scholars out there who could help unravel this mystery? Or if anyone has some good ideas on this puzzle, I’d love to hear from you!' (April 2010)

SMITH (TIDY): Andrea Tidy writes 'I am trying to trace information on my grandmothers family. Her name was Vera Tidy, nee Smith'; family addresses include Pottery Road, North Road and Carville Crescent (December 2009)

SPANTON: Margaret Masters writes 'if anybody knows any more about the owners of Spanton's timberyard, I would love to hear from them. My husband's Spanton ancestors established a timberyard on the Basingstoke Canal in Woking, Surrey - C. Spanton & Co. - in about 1890, but ... I had no knowledge of this business in Brentford' (Feb 2010)

TALBOT: Brentford register district…..Henry Talbot…1822….son Henry Talbot born 1847...Henry by 1871 census married to Charlotte…5 children Sutton Heston Middx…Upper Sutton lane by Gt West Rd……...Farnells 5 cottages..he at 1…brick labourer by Sutton Hse and Hope Anchor pub………..please does anybody know of them thankyou: Yvonne Butler (September 2011)

WARD and WHITE: see Andrea's request

Seeking: High Street

94 (CATHERINE WHEEL): John James seeks any photos of the Catherine Wheel at 94 High Street - it seems to have not got into any of the local history books (June 2010)

95: Martin Elsom who seeks a photo of 95 High Street - next door to the Catherine Wheel (June 2010)

294/5/6: Lynn Hayter's sister Ena is believed to have been born in the 'house next to the doctors' 295 High Street, October 1928; the 1928 trade directory offers no clues: doctors Neil and Gowans were at no. 295, no. 294 was a drapers (Joseph C Fisher) and there is no ref. to no. 296, which was on the corner of St George's Court; have you any certicates showing no. 294, 5 or 6 as a birth place from this time? (July 2010)

396: Mark Abbott seeks any photos of no. 396 High Street< where the Cloves family lived (May 2009)

Seeking places: Brentford (not High Street)

ALBANY ROAD: Andrea Bristow: my great Uncle Charlie Ward lived with his wife Caroline at 75 Albany Road from 1914- at least 1949, I know he served in the war, also his son in law Charles White lived at number 71 Albany Road 1949 -1952 with his wife Mary I believe they had a daughter named Joyce. I have been told that Charlie White had a music shop but I cannot find any information on this and I wondered if you know anyone who could help. There is also talk ref a boat house at Kew. We also have a large amount of relations in the Hollows and Thames Row area of Brentford 1850-1911 in the name of Parsons. If anyone has any information on these would be great. I have search the ancestry web site and the electoral register. (April 2013)

ALBANY PARADE: see Torron-Lee's request

BRENTFORD MARKET: Graham Knight seeks photos of Brentford market in the 1900 - 1930 period, where his great grandfather Thomas Knight and his son Tom worked as potato salesmen

BUTTS: Rob Sutherland has sent a full transcript of an 1806 Indenture relating to a property in the Butts (found at a fleamarket; Rob lives in Canada); the indenture includes names of people (some from Brentford, others from further afield) and relationships between several named people; it also refers to other documents dating back to 1726: a goldmine of information for descendants (March 2010)

DISTILLERY ROAD: Sue O’Donnell writes 'My dad lived at 29 Distillery Road, Brentford as a child, he’s 79 now. Do you have any photos or information please? His name is James Passey, his sister is Lilian and their parents were Thomas and Amy but were known as Tama and Cath.' (March 2009)

KENLEY ROAD: Louise Davis seeks a photo of Kenley Road (Oct 2010)

MARKET PLACE: Christopher Browne seeks information about 'a small factory opposite the White Horse (now The Weir) public house, Market Place, trading under the name of E A & W H Browne Western Pattern Works' (Oct 2010); see research by Peter King into this site

MERCEDED DEPOT: see Torron-Lee's request

SMITH KLINE BEECHAMS building: Torron-Lee writes 'My great grandma used to work at the old Smith Kline Beechams on the Golden Mile (art deco building) in the 70's, maybe someone has pictures of the building back then and also Mercedes depot in Brentford'; also ' does anyone happen to have any pictures of Albany Parade in 1992 - 1997, I remember as a little boy there being a double "Happy Shopper" store' (March 2012)
Peter Langley: building you refer to was used by B O A C air before Kline Beecham through 40s to very early 50s
Sandra Graves: Before BOAC it was Simmons Aviations, they built parts for the aircraft in the war. Outside the building [ I think some might remain ] is some metal fencing and each piece has SA on it . Which stood for Simmons Aviations. Each worker had to pay a Penny a week to pay for this. My mum Lou Payne maiden name Grant worked there during the war.

SYON ESTATE: Pauline Stanhope (nee Young) writes 'I wonder if anyone has any early photos of the Syon Estate'? (June 2012)

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Seeking organisations, businesses, clubs, schools

BASKET MAKERS: Kathleen Clark, a student at City Lit, London, who is researching street sellers baskets as depicted in The Cries of London; can you help with questions such as pay, apprenticeship, range of baskets made from information handed down in your family (Oct 2010)

BRENTFORD FOOTBALL CLUB / BOSTON PARK CRICKET & TENNIS CLUBS: Vicki Powys writes 'Photo wanted - my great-uncle Harold Saunders was a solicitor at 115 High Street, Brentford, and sadly died at the very young age of 22 in a boating accident at Teddington Lock, in August 1900. He was a keen sportsman and a newspaper article in 1900 said he was captain of the reserve team of Brentford Football Club, and secretary of Boston Park Cricket and Tennis Clubs. Perhaps someone has an early photo of members from these clubs? Harold was living in Brentford sometime after 1891, until 1900. I don't know of any photos of Harold in our family archives, and would love to have one. (March 2010)

CHARRINGTON (RICKETT & COCKERELL): Chris writes about his grandfather, who was the depot manager of Charrington's (formerly Rickett and Cockerell), Coal Merchants, possibly based in Lionel Road (East?). He seeks any records or photos of the depot. (December 2009)

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GAS BOARD: Pauline Stanhope (nee Young) writes 'My brother-in-law, Thomas Salisbury worked at the Gas Board, Brentford for a number of years. Does anyone remember when the Brentford branch was closed? (June 2012)
Roger Davis suggests British History Online site has the answer to Pauline's query:
'After taking over neighbouring concerns, Brentford Gas Co. was itself taken over in 1926 by the Gas Light and Coke Co., which on nationalization in 1949 was succeeded by the North Thames Gas Board. Production ceased at the works, which had been gradually extended on both sides of High Street, in 1963.'
This site is recommended, not just for Brentford area, see Web Links for more details.

GAS WORKS: Tom Toomey asks if anyone has any old photos (Jan 2012)

H F DAVIS: Dave Matthews who is looking into 'the history of H F Davis Brentford Ltd, my dad Jim Matthews worked for the company for over 40 years' (August 2010)

KENNINGTON & BOURLET: Does anyone remember Kennington & Bourlet Ltd, a photographic equipment manufacturer? They were a subsidiary of Ilford Ltd and their address was 231, High Street, Brentford in 1954. They moved around 1961 to Thanet House, High Street, Brentford. Paul Godfrey is building a web site about the activities of K&B and Ilford Ltd. See Paul’s web site at www.greatyarmouthphotographic.co.uk/ilfordltd If you have any information about K&B and their occupation of premises in the Brentford area Paul would be very pleased to hear from you. Paul’s email address is at the top of the home page of his web site (October 2009)

PHILIP NORBURY: Simon Lawrence writes 'I'm interested in Philip Norbury and the wood-engraved images he used in his printed output - either single sheets ephemera such as ballads or announcements, handbills, broadsides, etc, and in the images used in his chapbooks (especially), and other books. I wonder if there is anything published about him, and would be very keen to see copies of any image that he printed. Are there any collections, or academic resources?'; please write to Simon Lawrence, 95 Denby Lane, Upper Denby, Huddersfield HD8 8TZ or email (Feb 2010)

ST GEORGE'S SCHOOL / BRENTFORD SECONDARY MODERN: Pat (nee) Gardener and her sister Maureen seek friends who went to St George's school, Brentford in the 1950s and Brentford Secondary Modern Girls school in the 1950s/60s (Jan 2010)

ST JOHN'S RC SCHOOL: Jim O'Reardon writes 'Have you any photos of my old school St John's RC on the corner of Brook Road and Clifden Road?' 'Brentford Past' (Gillian Clegg) includes information about the school, including that it was at this location between 1901 and 1968 (Jan 2010)

Tom Toomey: I am trying to get a copy of a picture of St Johns RC School that I used to attend with my brother in the early 1950’s. At the time we used to live in 34 Humes Ave , Hanwell, (just off the Boston manor road). The school was located on the corner of Clifden road and brook road south. On Google earth it looks like no 98 Clifden road is sitting on the foot print of the old school foundations. Can anybody help?

Thanks to Diane Lockie for providing a 1960s newspaper article about the school closure. (Jan 2012)

Seeking events

1925 - GREAT WEST ROAD OPENING: Eric Westley writes asking if anyone has any photos taken at the opening of the Great West Road in 1925 which show the 2nd / 8th Middlesex Regiment guard of honour; his dad was standing behind an officer holding a sword; we have checked those provided by Roger Davis without success (October 2009)

1944 - V1 ROCKET HIT: George Forgan wrotes 'A V1 Rocket hit 63 Clayponds Ave Brentfordat 15.20 on the 12th July 1944 causing much damage including the house my family lived in at Ealing Road. The blast resulted in myself and sister being trapped in the rubble, luckily we here pulled out quickly unharmed, is there any information of this event? (April 2010)

1945 - EALING ROAD V.E. STREET PARTY: Ann Webster (nee Mancey) writes 'Until recently I had a photo but have lost it. Has anyone got a copy or does anyone know how I might get a copy please? I moved to Basildon,Essex approx.1960 and now live in Ipswich,Suffolk. If anyone remembers me or has any information they think might be of interest I would love to hear from them,especially about the photo' (Nov 2010)

Page published November 2009; updated April 2013