Rookery Farm, Ramsdean, Petersfield

[CelticMom]

Hiya

Since 2003 I have been trying to trace my elusive great grandfather.

He was an actor in the theatre.

I have come to the conclusion that because of his occupation and the extravagance of his name. I may now be looking at a stage name, hence why I haven't had any success, even by hiring a top genealogist.

However I performed some wildcard searches on The Stage Magazine and amongst the pages and pages of images I viewed. I through sheer luck discovered a letter from my Great Grandfather talking about Pantomines.

He signed his name and next to it put the address Rookery Farm, Ramsdean, Petersfield. (The stage magazine article was for 1920)

So am rather excited now I have a new lead, although I have had lots of leads like this in the past and thrown out blanks.

He did tend to move around the country staying a temp address, most likely lodgings near the theatres he was working in. However from looking on a map, the above address appears to be the middle of nowhere, so I am hoping and hoping this gives me a new lead with a possible "real name" or his family at least.

Hampshire records office are going to search the electoral register for that address for me. But that will take a few weeks for them to do, I can't get there myself as I live in Canada.

But my question is, does anyone have any information on Rookery Farm, Petersfield for c1920. Would it of been used as lodgings or anything like that?

I would be grateful of any information if anyone knows anything about it.

Thank you for reading.

[Little Nell]

In the 1911 Kelly's directory for Hampshire, I found Ernest Noyce, farmer of Rookesbury Farm, Ramsdean.  Is this the same place, do you suppose?  There are a number of Rookery Farms listed but none in Ramsdean in 1911. 

I can't find a later directory 

Nell

[CelticMom]

I think Rookery Farm's full address might be Ramsdean Road, Petersfield, by looking at google maps, but then that is now, not sure if it was that in 1920.

thanks,

[marcie dean]

Sometimes, if he was part of a theatrical group, they may all have boarded there and then if the farmer allowed them to do so would set up a theatre for the local people in one of his barns.  Or they may well have all slept in the barn, travelling from village to village or town.

It may well be that whilst resting he may well have helped the farmer with his crops etc.
He sounds a colourful character.  I hope that you can find out more about him and conclude your journey with him.

marcie

[plack150]

you may have found this out by now; don't think it helps you but may be of interest. I think Rookery Farm is a private dwelling now but is opposite Orchard Farm at Ramsdean.

see link
http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=470975&y=122322&z=0&sv=GU32+1RU&st=2&pc=GU32+1RU&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf

[marcie dean]

I was talking to my husband about this, and it appears that all/most councils have an archive of places/houses from years back.  So it may be possible to either obtain a photo of what the place was like at the time or nearer that time, or a copy of the layout of the place as it was then by way of a drawing.

If someone could provide a link to the council archivist for the area.  Not sure which council Petersfield would come under, but my husband deals with councils all the time so he has some insight into these things.

marcie

[CelticMom]

thank you everyone for the great replies so far.

Sadly we had no luck with Hampshire records office, apparently they dont have the electoral register for this area for the period we are looking at. They failed to tell us this before we paid them for research, which was a bit unhelpful to say the least.

So am back to square one now.

I was hopeful it would be a lead. So we still do not know what connection if any my great grandfather had to that address.

[judb]

I looked on Googlemap which came up with an actual current address including a postcode.

Rookery Farm, Ramsdean, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 1RU, UK

The aerial pic on Googlemap looks as though it could be the same place as the photo already posted.

Why not take a long shot and write to the address with the info you have put here. You never know - you may be lucky.   

Judith

[CelticMom]

thank you, that is a great idea. I will give it a shot