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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Warwickshire => Topic started by: bilsat on Saturday 06 June 09 08:59 BST (UK)

Title: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: bilsat on Saturday 06 June 09 08:59 BST (UK)
Hi all.
I am trying to find any old pictures from Billesley especially any of the old farms or major buildings from the area.
I have an old map dated 1883 and want to add pictures of the places mensioned on it for a project to show at our local Community Centre.
In perticular, the prefabs in the area, tudor picture house, valley pub any of the farms.
The only ones I can find to date is in local history books but are copywrited, we are a charity so cannot afford to pay for each picture from several books..
Any ideas?
Pete
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Keitht on Tuesday 02 March 10 23:08 GMT (UK)
Billsat,

Only just found your post from last June.

I am a local historian and have several photos and old maps of the Moseley, Billesley, Yardley Wood area, particularly the old farms, all of which I can place exactly. I'd be happy to share them with you if you're still interested. Question is, how?

keitht
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: bilsat on Wednesday 03 March 10 13:43 GMT (UK)
Hi Keitht.
Where are you based, I still live in Billesley and retired! free as a bird (I wish)
Pete
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Keitht on Wednesday 03 March 10 14:58 GMT (UK)
Hi Pete,

Guess I'm probably about a mile south of you and likewise retired (that's a joke if ever there was one.).

Give me a call on 0777 338 3748 any time before about 6pm any weekday and we'll make some arrangements.

Keith
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: jim1 on Thursday 04 March 10 20:30 GMT (UK)
I have this 1835 map.
My ancestors where brickmakers on Billesley common & owned land in Brook Lane.

jim
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Keitht on Thursday 04 March 10 22:37 GMT (UK)
Jim,

Many thanks. These are extremely useful.

It's interesting to see that your second map shows both Coldbath and Swanshurst Farms yet doesn't show Ashleigh Grange, which stood on Windermere Road at the same time. If anyone has a photo of that, which stood until at least 1917, I'd be very grateful. I have a photo of Swanshurst Farm and have read that Ashleigh was a very similar buiding.

Brickmaking seems to have been a common trade in the area back in the day. I have several references to brickmakers' cottages on several local roads including Brook Lane and School Road.

Keith
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: jim1 on Thursday 04 March 10 23:24 GMT (UK)
These are 2 halves of the same map,the 1st. being on the left.My Sawyer family owned a number of properties opposite what's now Moseley golf club.

jim
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: bilsat on Friday 05 March 10 20:12 GMT (UK)
Thanks for the maps Jim, I will add them to my collection. Thanks Keitht for the pics, I have downloaded them to my other computer....
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Keitht on Saturday 06 March 10 22:05 GMT (UK)
Pete,

I realise I didn't find you a photo of Quagmire Farm. I know I have one somewhere but can't put my hand on it at the moment. As soon as I do I'll copy it to you.

Btw, does anyone have a photo of Warstock Farm?

Keith
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Tricia_2 on Tuesday 30 March 10 00:39 BST (UK)
Birmingham Library should also have photos and they usually waive copyright.
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Keitht on Tuesday 30 March 10 09:31 BST (UK)
Not any more they don't. There was a time when you could obtain copies of almost anything which wasn't copyright protected from Birmingham Library and reproduce it with no more than an acknowledgement but they mow have an entirely new set of rules and a complex list of charges. Trying to get a simple photograph from them is like trying to pull teeth. First you have to fill in a form telling them precisely how you intend to use it, what quality reproduction you require and whether you want it e-mailed or sent to you on CD. This determines how much you pay and from the way the terms and conditions are worded it sounds as though you'll be hanged, drawn and quartered if you use it for anything other than the stated purpose. They also have a nasty habit of trying to claim copyright over items of which they have just one of many available copies.

I'm currently working on a new publication which will, I hope. include photographs given to me by the library before the new rules came in. I'm just wondering what reaction I'm likely to get.
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Tricia_2 on Tuesday 30 March 10 12:29 BST (UK)
Wow! I didn't know that. Thanks for telling me :(
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Keitht on Tuesday 30 March 10 13:55 BST (UK)
Tricia,

This seems to be a national policy. I guess someone has worked out that there is money to be made out of archives. A couple of weeks ago I discovered that some documents I needed to read in connection with a Birmingham project had ended up in Leicestershire archive so I rang and asked if I could buy copies, just to save me the drive. I was quoted £67, including a scanning fee, £10 to put the scans on CD and £3 50 postage. I didn't need permanent copies. I just neeeded to take some information from the documents. I drove over there, made notes and came home for less than thirty quid and had a decent day out into the bargain.

Keith
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: brummie nick on Tuesday 30 March 10 15:41 BST (UK)
Not sure of the date of this picture, would think its the early 1900's
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: brummie nick on Tuesday 30 March 10 15:43 BST (UK)
OOPPs about 1925.  ;D :D
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Tricia_2 on Tuesday 30 March 10 15:59 BST (UK)
I organised an exhibition of photos and memories at Trittiford Centre a few years ago. People were very helpful and I think that it was it was a great success. You may have seen it. :)
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Keitht on Tuesday 30 March 10 16:00 BST (UK)
Hi Nick.

A really interesting one. I reckon you're about right on the date. Pity there's not a car on the road to hellp with dating.

Keith
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: bilsat on Tuesday 30 March 10 18:16 BST (UK)
Hi Trisha_2.
Sorry about missing that exhibition but where was the Billesley Centre that you held it in?was it Trittiford  School or were! have you still got any details of people who had pics? I have an old map of Billesley and I am populating it with old pics of Billesley. It is at Holy Cross Community Centre at the moment.
Pete
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Keitht on Tuesday 30 March 10 18:23 BST (UK)
Yeah, I'm a bit brassed at having missed that exhibition. If another one is ever planned will someone please let me know.

Pete, I'd appreciate a call when you have a moment.

Keith
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Tricia_2 on Wednesday 31 March 10 00:59 BST (UK)
I'll see if I can find any of my papers, etc.
Most of my things have been filed away in boxes and will be hard to find, I think.
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: bilsat on Monday 07 February 11 07:16 GMT (UK)
Hi Tricia.
 Did you ever find your pics and info about Bilesley? I have obtained a lot more info since I last contacted you.
Pete
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: mrpaul on Wednesday 11 September 13 21:42 BST (UK)
Hi, not sure if this thread is dead, i was born and bread in Billesley I would love to be involved in looking into the history of our area.  There was mention of an exhibition of some sort? Does anyone know if this will be repeated????
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: Mand66 on Thursday 22 April 21 00:45 BST (UK)
I have this 1835 map.
My ancestors where brickmakers on Billesley common & owned land in Brook Lane.

jim

Hello Jim, the Sawyers are my ancestors too. Who are you descended from? Would love to her from your, regards, Mandy

Ps, this is my first post apologies if it’s not done correctly!
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: paulwilliams on Sunday 03 April 22 02:37 BST (UK)
Hi,
So interested to see map with Swanshurst Common on,
Trifford Road school is Billesley Primary and Infants school, I went to this primary school 1965-1969,
Kind Regards
Paul Williams
Title: Re: old pictures of Billesley, Birmingham
Post by: HelenTea on Wednesday 02 November 22 00:43 GMT (UK)
Hi Jim @jim1

Do you have any more info about the "old brick kiln" in Kings Heath, opposite the golf club (was Bulley Manor / Farm). I saw that you referenced Brook Lane and I'm particularly interested in the Augusta and Gertrude Villa's (between the Billesley Pub and Barn Lane).

Ps the photo you posted on this thread is fab - ain't life grand indeed. Who is it? Payton?