KIRBY

[Pam at Valetta]

My Grt.Grt. Grandfather, James Frederick William KIRBY lived ön the Portsmouth Road and the house was called "Öaklands". He moved there between 1875 and 1881 and had a cutter-yacht called the Rosie which he sailed in the vicinity of the Isle of Wight, or so the family says. He was born in London in 1820 and died in 1893 while still living at the above address. He attended St. Mary's Church where there is a supermarket (grocery store) now, and also was a member of the Winchester Club. I have quite a lot of information on this family but nothing further back than his birth and parents, and would happily share what I have with anyone with further knowledge on this elusive wider family. From Pam at Valetta. I hope this is done correctly because this is the first time I have used Rootschat. I live in N.Z.

[bearkat]

Hi Pam and welcome to Rootschat 

You don't say where Portsmouth Road was    (There are several in Hampshire)

[Pam at Valetta]

 Hi Bearkat,

Thank you for replying to my query. The Portsmouth Rd. that I assume my ancestor lived on was the main road running south/east from Southampton to Portsmouth. Also, I have been told that the river was nearby, possibly running at the back of the property. He had a yacht so maybe he kept it moored there. I can't be more specific than that, other than the large, irongated house was called Oaklands.

Regards, Pam . 

[keyboard86]

Hi Pam, not much of substance for you, but I did an address check of Oakland  Portsmouth Road Hants, and your relative lived there between the 1881 Census and the 1901, it was situated (as far as the census return) at St Mary Extra Woolston South Stoneham Hants, I looked for him at home on the 1891, but he must have been off sailing somewhere! in saying that just as a snippet these were the people in the household at census time:-

Edith A Levy 15 Visitor b Sholing? Hants
Rosina Dew 24 occ Cook b Hound Tisbury Hants
Rosa Harnett 23 occ Housemaid b Hamble Hants

Keyboard86

[Pam at Valetta]

Hi,

Thanks so much for checking those details for me. That will be him alright, but, of course, he is always out, away, gone somewhere else, usually a long way away etc. A very elusive man and family. There is no death reg. of the death of his 1st wife, he had a child (in Dublin) with another woman very close to when he married someone else in Liverpool. I can't find that birth in 1855 of course, nor easily locate the birth of a third son with the new wife. Just to add to the confusion, all three immigrate, one to N.Z., one to Sth. Africa, and the 3rd to America and then Sth. Africa. Makes researching quite difficult, as you can imagine. Thanks again.
Regards, Pam.

[bearkat]

Several Southampton (and neighbouring village) directories are online. 

He was there in 1884:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/09wn/


but not in 1887.

The nearby river is The Itchen.

[bearkat]

The St Mary's Church on the corner of Portsmouth Road & Johns Road which is now a supermarket was Presbyterian.

St Mary Extra Church or Jesus Chapel is in Peartree and is still standing.

[Pam at Valetta]

Hi,
Thank you so much for your comments. I didn't know about the directories. He must hav e retired then. I will check and see what he says if anything other than his address. Every comment is a help when you live this far away.


Regards, Pam.

[Pam at Valetta]

Hi,

I didn't realise that you had sent both messages. Yes, it was the Presbyterian Church that he went to.
Regards, Pam.