RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Staffordshire => Topic started by: craggus on Friday 16 January 09 21:01 GMT (UK)
-
Hi All,
Following the recent loss of my nan (age 100), the family have come into possession of a couple of items which we believe may relate to the "Adult Education School" that my g-grandparents may have set up in Great Bridge (although I m not entirely sure where).
The first item in an elaborate key inscribed "G B Adult School, presented to Miss M C Albright - at the opening of the new rooms - December 29 1913".
The second item is a silver trowel used for a stone laying ceremony on 26th July 1923.
Wondered if this meant anything to anyone?
My g-grandparents were called Thomas William Oliver Blackham and Lilian Blackham. Thomas father (also called Thomas Blackham) established BLACKHAMS print press in Great Bridge in 1883, which stayed in the family until 1964. I have found a few photos of the printers in Terry Price "Great Bridge" books, but if anyone has any further information it would be most gratefully received.
Many Thanks
Craig :)
-
Hi Craig,
How lovely to have those things :)
To help you locate the building, I wonder if it is worth you ringing West Bromwich library (I think they have a local studies section) to ask them to look in the historical directories at around that time to see if anything is mentioned - I would think it would be listed at the beginning of the description of the the town information.
I only have directories up to about 1915 on the site I use, but I am sure one of the local studies libraries would hold a range past this date - I've always found the staff at this library very helpful. (Sandwell Archives should have them, too).
Alternatively, if you email the William Salt library in Stafford, as you have a date for the opening ceremony, they might do a look up (free of charge) in the local newspapers which they hold.
Good luck - let us know if you find anything. It's always lovely to hear the end result, Craig.
Hope this helps a little.
Paulene :)
-
Hi again Craig,
Thought these might help you on your way:
http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/local-history-and-heritage/community-history-and-archives-service/
http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/leisure/archives/williamsalt/ContactDetails/
http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/local-history-and-heritage/heritage-trail/walk-west-bromwich/west-bromwich-library/
Paulene :)
Plus, my other thought is contacting the Black Country Society.
-
Hi Paulene
Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to reply. I have been to the Sandwell Archives before, many years ago... it looks like another trip is in order. I must admit, I had not thought of looking in the directories, but now you mention it this would of course be an excellent place to start. I will send off a few emails initially, see if they believe they might be able to help.
We found the following while searching the other night..
http://www.blackcountrysociety.co.uk/articles/sundayafternoon.htm
I believe the John Blackham mentioned would have been Thomas William Oliver Blackhams great uncle, so it looks as though the "Adult School" had been popular within the family for a number of generations.
Once again, many thanks for the info you have provided. I will let you know if it leads to anything!
Kind Regards
Craig :)
-
Hi Craig,
Pleased you sent that - just found something in googlebooks.
Look for a book called 'Black Country Elites' by Richard Hughes Trainor, then put Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Movement, some things came up in the search.
If you put Blackham in, too, you will see that J Blackham wrote and published a couple of books in 1907 and 1908 - they are bound to be somewhere. If not in the Staffordshire area they may be somewhere like the Bodleian Library in Oxford (supposed to have a copy of every book published, I believe).
Still looking.... back soon.
Paulene :)
-
Craig,
If you put 'adult school movement' into the search for googlebooks it will give you a list of books which might be useful - unfortunately they are limited view only, but you might be able to track them down.
What an interesting family!
Good luck,
Paulene :)
-
Paulene,
That's brilliant! I have not used googlebooks before. I will try and locate some of the books mentioned in the local libraries, not least the "How I founded the PSA" by J Blackham himself! Will let you know if it provides any more information.
Once again, many thanks :)
Craig
-
Craig,
Try the William Salt Library in Stafford.
Also, I think you can the British Library Catalogue online. They might transfer it to another library, or photocopy.
If you find they are hard to locate, and there is one at the Bodleian, and nowhere else, send me a PM and I may be able to help, as my daughter has a friend still studying there.
Paulene :)
Glad it's been a help :)
-
Replying to an old message here but did you know that J blackham is buried at Heath Lane Cemetery West Bromwich?
-
Replying to an old message here but did you know that J blackham is buried at Heath Lane Cemetery West Bromwich?
That's useful to know - any idea whereabouts? I've a suspicion that John Blackham is my 3x ggfathers nephew but haven't had time to follow it up yet.
Cheers
Paul
-
Hi Paul,
The grave reference is L3/4723. Enter the cemetery via the Heath Lane entrance. Grave is on the left hand side. Look for the unmissable white memorial of a life-size man. John Blackham is a few rows closer to the path - the headstone is a block of rough granite with the front side smoothed to take the inscription.
I did try to attach a photograph but it would not load properly. Sorry
Pauline
-
Many thanks!
Paul
-
John Blackham who founded the PSA, Pleasant Afternoon Society is our GT GT GT Uncle. He has a brother called Joseph Blackham. We know Joseph married Hannah Maria Rolfe in 1854 and they had Eliza Jane Blackham b.1865, John Joseph Blackham, master baker b.1861 and Hannah Maria Blackham b.1858. Joseph and Maria lived in West Bromwich with their 3 children. Joseph died in 1913 in West B romwich. His 2 daughters each married a Postlethwaite brother whose violins we still have today in the family!
Hannah MAria Rolfe and Joseph Blackham shortly after their wedding in 1854 went out to the US as part of the Mormon movement but returned soon after the death of their first born back to West Bromwich. This is passed down from our Gt GT Aunt who still alive clearly recalls the family discussing it. We also know Joseph lenty a cousin a considerable sum of money to fund his Mormon trip to the US which was never repaid to him and left him struggling .
Eliza Jane was very proud of her Uncle John Blackham he owned a drapers shop at Hill Top wet bromwich and was a partner in Eld & Blackham printing. She recalled him as very distinguished looking and driving his family in their oen carriage.. John always gave the children a penny as he left. When given the choice between a penny and a gold sovereign they chose the penny :D We'd love to know who John and Joseph Blackhams parents were if anyone out there knows. It's complicated following them as they marry a lot with the Postlethwaites in the same area!!
-
Very useful information. As I mentioned before I haven't had chance to follow up my Blackhams any further as yet but I'm pretty sure they will be related to John.
Best regards
Paul
-
Hi
Just read a thread regarding the Blackham family. I dont know how old the post is so i am responding more in hope than expectation.
You say John B is your Gt Gt Gt Uncle, he is also mine. I am directly desended to his brother Thomas. I would love to swop info if possible.
Kind Regards
Phil Blackham
-
Hi Phil
Do you have a William Blackham born about 1800/1801 at West Bromwich in your tree?
Best regards
Paul
PS I would edit your post and remove your email address to protect yourself from spammers - people can always send you a PM (personal message).
-
Hi
Yes, I have William b 1800 married to Elizabeth Kidson b 1797-1839.
Me Philip Geoffrey
F Geoffrey Thomas 1925-2009
Gf Harold Thomas 1891- 1950 m Caroline Minnie Orbell
Thomas 1855- 1923 m Sarah Ann Gilson
Elijah Jonathan 1825-1906 m Hannah Kidson ( step sister )
William 1800- m Elizabeth Kidson
I have definite proof back to Elijah, William is from hearsay but no reason to doubt
Hope it is of use. Only just started to seriously put it all together.
Take your point about email will do it now
Regards
Phil
-
Thanks Phil, unfortunately that's not 'my' William (4x ggf).
Best regards
Paul
-
I don't have any other sibling for John (PSA Movement) & Joseph Blackham.... does anyone else?
In the 1841 census I have possibly John and Joseph with siblings listed as
Thomas,William, Elizabeth, Eli, Hannah Kidson? not sure who she is.
Their father is listed as William b.1801
-
Hi are my Blackhams related to your Thomas the Printer/
Hannah Maria Rolfe and Joseph Blackham shortly after their wedding in 1854 went out to the US as part of the Mormon movement but returned soon after the death of their first born back to West Bromwich. This is passed down from our Gt GT Aunt who still alive clearly recalls the family discussing it. We also know Joseph lent a cousin a considerable sum of money to fund his Mormon trip to the US which was never repaid to him and left him struggling .
Eliza Jane was very proud of her Uncle John Blackham he owned a drapers shop at Hill Top wet bromwich and was a partner in Eld & Blackham printing. She recalled him as very distinguished looking and driving his family in their oen carriage.. John always gave the children a penny as he left. When given the choice between a penny and a gold sovereign they chose the penny We'd love to know who John and Joseph Blackhams parents were if anyone out there knows. It's complicated following them as they marry a lot with the Postlethwaites in the same area!!