Have you visited the Family Home ?

[wotty]

I grew up in a place called Cockerton in Darlington. Many years after I left and became interested in family history, I discovered that my great great grandfather was a police sergeant there in 1877.
I don't know where the police station used to be, but I try to imagine him walking the beat, big bushy whiskers and the big police cape.
I struggle to imagine the village green without the ugly shopping centre though!

Wotty.

[Paul E]

Hi Wotty

If you go to the Durham County Council website at
http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/gis+-+online+mapping
and click on 'Onine Mapping' you can zoom in on Cockerton.

When you get to the general area, you will see two police stations - one at the bottom of Moorland Road, and the other at the corner of West Auckland Road and Prior Street - they are only a few hundred yards from each other.

Click on 'Historical Maps' and then on '1894-1899' and you will see the street layout as at that period.  The police stations don't seem to be there, so I guess the Police Station was located elsewhere.

cheers

Paul

[wotty]

Thanks Paul,

I remember trying to dodge the police station at West Auckland Road when I was 17 and wanting to place a bet on the Grand National (my dad was in the legal business and every policeman knew him and me - eventually found a little old man to place the bet for me and then had to explain away my wealth when the wretched horse actually won). I know from recent visits there that the current police station is at the bottom of Moorland Road.

I'll have a look at the site you recommend anyway.

Thanks again.

Wotty.

[mimosa]

I guess I'm pretty lucky as I still live near where my Dad's family all grew up, the family home is gone and there is a block of flats there now. But the churches where they were all baptised and married and most buried are still there (these are the Essex side) for the rets I will have to travel to Norfolk and Gloucestershire which I am hoping to do this summer.

Mimosa

[Wendi]

On my very first excursion, I discovered that the house my grandfather lived in was up for sale, but unlike Graceland, did not have the courage to "have a good look around" - if there was I next time I sure would 

A gracious owner showed me around the Mansion house once owned by a famous Great Uncle of mine, and the feeling of walking over the same threshold as the family was wonderful, but it's visiting the graves that give me the closest feeling.......don't know why 

[ggrocott]

Since starting doing this I am amazed at how many of my 'favourite places' are places where my ancestors came from.  Does somewhere feel like a good place to be as a result of some sort on ancestral memory?  Looking forward to having the time to visit the places that I haven't yet been and seeing if I feel similarly at home.

[jax]

yep - I've been back to a village where a fair few generations on my dad's side where born, lived and died (lydd in Kent)

I found a memorial with one of my ancestors names on it - I found graves and went for a drink in the local pub - I took my mum and dad with me and they were very pleased.

My daughter took some photos for me, but alas lost the camera   so I need to get back there again sometime.

cant wait  

jax

[sparrett]

I live in Austraia so a visit to the ancestorals was hard.
 A rootschatter sent me to www.eastendforum.co.uk/  There I met a lovely person who gave me wonderful word and also real pictures of my district of interest.

I almost felt by the end that i had really been there.

Try it if you are too far away.  Sue

[supersan]

I dragged my husband and children all around ingleton, yorkshire a few years ago, we found the site that used to be Lambert's shop, sadly no longer, walked up main street where my gt.grandfather was born and lived his entire life, also found hollin tree my gt. grandma's home, now a guest house, had a good look round the cemetry and all my ancestors were there neatly in a row just inside the gate, must of bagged the best spot, i thoroughlly enjoyed the day, and if i had enough time and money i would make it my permanent holiday...who needs spain!!
sandra