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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => London and Middlesex => England => London & Middlesex Lookup Requests => Topic started by: monty1000 on Tuesday 01 February 11 19:32 GMT (UK)

Title: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: monty1000 on Tuesday 01 February 11 19:32 GMT (UK)
Hi, I am looking for info on my deceased Grandmother when she lived in the UK up until about 1945. Name is Betty Joan Russell born 1923 at 76 Eridge Road which i think is now Mayday Hospital. Her mother was Alicia Louisa Lily Russell who is down as being a domestic servant at 148 Croydon Road.
The 1916 Kelly's directory has 148 Croydon Road as a W. Guymer Greengrocer - does anybody have information on this? Also in a another Kelly's it says that W Guymer Grocer was at Gowland Pl which is at the other end of 148 Croydon Rd as it is today - was the numbering of the premises changed sometime?
Also no fathers name is put in the birth cert? My GG would have left the UK in around 1945.
Any information or old photos of Croydon Road would be appreciated

Frank
Title: Re: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: PaulineJ on Tuesday 01 February 11 22:48 GMT (UK)
Certainly the Eridge Road address has come up before.
You may get some hint from that.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=186473.0

Pauline
Title: Re: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: groom on Tuesday 01 February 11 23:10 GMT (UK)
Yes, that was Mayday Hospital. It is now officially called Croydon University Hospital, but no one in Croydon ever remembers.  ;D ;D

Does her address definitely say Croydon Road, Beckenham as there are quite a few Croydon Roads? 

Jan
Title: Re: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: monty1000 on Wednesday 02 February 11 19:40 GMT (UK)
Hi and thanks. The Croydon Road definately says Beckenham on the birth cert. The Eridge Road is down as Thornton Heath.
Thanks again, Frank
Title: Re: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: groom on Wednesday 02 February 11 19:49 GMT (UK)
Yes that right Mayday sorry, Croydon University Hospital does come under Thornton Heath, which is part of Croydon.

I wonder why the baby was born there, as there must have been places closer to Beckenham.

If no father's name is on the birth certificate it is very likely that she was illegitimate.
Title: Re: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: monty1000 on Thursday 03 February 11 19:36 GMT (UK)
Any Census information for this address would also be appreciated. Frank
Title: Re: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: groom on Thursday 03 February 11 20:21 GMT (UK)
The latest census would be 1911 and we are not allowed to post information about that on here.

However in 1901, 148 Croydon Road was a greengrocers and William Guymer and his family were living there.

RG 13/688/54/48

Jan
Title: Re: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: Valda on Thursday 03 February 11 21:42 GMT (UK)
Hi


In 1904 guidance was issued by the Registrar General for registering births that occurred in workhouse infirmaries. In an attempt to remove any stigma associated with births in workhouse infirmaries, only the address was be included with the name of the institution omitted. In 1930 the Mayday infirmary/hospital became the responsibility of Croydon council and in 1948 with the start of the National Health service it became an NHS hospital. Pre 1930 it was officially the Croydon union workhouse infirmary/hospital.

'the new infirmary in Mayday Road opened in 1885, with 325 beds. The Infirmary was renamed Mayday Road Hospital in 1923 but soon afterwards became known as Mayday Hospital. This was before the dissolution of the Board of Guardians in 1930.'

With few hospitals around the workhouse infirmaries increasingly developed into the equivalent of hospitals (hospitals that did exist were charitable institutions before the National Health system). Mayday was the only Croydon hospital hence the change of its name in 1923 to reflect that status.

The Workhouse website has information on Mayday

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/

Mayday hospital records

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=168&hospital=mayday&town=&searchdatabase.x=0&searchdatabase.y=0



Croydon was in the county of Surrey. It didn't become part of Greater London until 1965.



Regards

Valda
Title: Re: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: sorrell on Friday 04 February 11 17:34 GMT (UK)
There used to be the Croydon General hospital in London road, Croydon . I went there in 1963 to have my foot xrayed and plastered, andmy brother also had an operation.  Closed may years ago.  As I understood it the workhouse was in Queens Road, became an 'old peoples' hospital in the 60's.My Grandfather spent his last days here.  older family members recall it as the workhouse.

just for info Beckenham is just over the border in Kent.
Jan
Title: Re: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: groom on Friday 04 February 11 18:13 GMT (UK)
Quote
As I understood it the workhouse was in Queens Road, became an 'old peoples' hospital in the 60's

Most of that has been demolished and houses built on the site. They have kept the original tower and converted it into 2 bedroom flats costing £220,000 each. I wonder what our ancestors who were sent there would make of it?

Quote
Just for info Beckenham is just over the border in Kent

That's why I wondered why she had gone to Croydon hospital for the birth.
Title: Re: Croydon Road Beckenham - Russell
Post by: Valda on Friday 04 February 11 21:22 GMT (UK)
Hi


Queen's Hospital was the Croydon (workhouse) infirmary on Queen's Road (Queen's Road Homes from 1923 - Geriatric)

http://ezitis.myzen.co.uk/queens.html


Jan's right there was indeed a Croydon General Hospital on London Road

about 130 beds in 1923

http://ezitis.myzen.co.uk/croydongeneral.html


plus also Waddon Hospital for infectious diseases


Beckenham was in Kent but from 1965 it has been in the London borough of Bromley. Adjacent to Croydon but not Croydon.


Regards

Valda