Tracing a House

[stanmapstone]

Morning Chronicle - Wednesday 17 December 1851 "Insolvent Petitioners: William Pilbeam, of Layhouse Farm, Worth, Sussex, out of business.
Dairy Shorthorn Association - 1932 Geoffrey Tetley,  Layhouse, Worth, Sussex.

Stan

[Nick_]

Wow, what an amazing response. I'm really grateful for people helping me out, and for people taking the time to explain their processes. I think I have an idea of the 19th century ownership now, and I already have a rough portrait of the 20th century ownership too.

Obviously, census data for post-1911 is not yet available, so does anyone have a tips for finding more recent occupants and even potentially tracing their ancestors? I realise that I am diverging slightly from normal genealogy but I hope that's ok!

[stanmapstone]

The London Gazette  3 April 1883 Issue:  25218 Page: 1811
Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership which has for some time past been carried on by Thomas Heasman, Arthur Heasman, and Alfred Heasman, at East Grinstead, Rowfant Mill, and Layhouse Farm, in the county of Sussex, in the trade or business of Millers, Farmers, Corn, Coal, Hay, Straw, and Seed Merchants was this day dissolved by mutual consent. This business will henceforth be carried on by Alfred Heasman and Arthur Heasman, underv the style or firm of Heasman Bros., by whom all debts owing to or from the late firm will be received and paid. As witness our hands: - East Grinstead, 20th March 1883.


Stan

[stanmapstone]

so does anyone have a tips for finding more recent occupants and even potentially tracing their ancestors?

Geoffrey Tetley was the farmer farming there in the 1930s.

Stan

[alpinecottage]

I think I have an idea of the 19th century ownership now, and I already have a rough portrait of the 20th century ownership too.

Obviously, census data for post-1911 is not yet available, so does anyone have a tips for finding more recent occupants and even potentially tracing their ancestors?

Don't forget, occupants and owners weren't necessarily the same, especially before about 1950.  I doubt if the carters and labourers who lived there in 1800s actually owned the house.  To find out more, and for earlier times, you would have to see what was available at the local record office (eg electoral rolls, poor rate records and hearth tax records) and also probably at the National Archives.

[mazi]

A search on Google for "Geoffrey tetley sussex" gives a possible death in 1947 and a firm of solicitors  in East Grinstead handling his estate, in The Gazette.  May be yours

Mike

[Nick_]

Don't forget, occupants and owners weren't necessarily the same, especially before about 1950.  I doubt if the carters and labourers who lived there in 1800s actually owned the house.  To find out more, and for earlier times, you would have to see what was available at the local record office (eg electoral rolls, poor rate records and hearth tax records) and also probably at the National Archives.

That's a really interesting point. I suspect the farm and the house was owned by one of the more affluent local families, possibly at Rowfant House. If I go to the local record office, will the information be publicly available to me? Or is it limited to descendants...etc (I am sorry that this is probably a sickeningly beginner question!).

And yes, Mazi, from what I can establish that's the Geoffrey Tetley in question. I think the family probably sold up in the 30s and have moved around the country, though their genealogy is fairly well charted. I am going to try and get in touch with one or more of his grandchildren to try and establish whether he inherited the house or bought it, and when. Thanks for all the help everyone!

[alpinecottage]

 If I go to the local record office, will the information be publicly available to me? Or is it limited to descendants...etc (I am sorry that this is probably a sickeningly beginner question!).

The information at the Record Office will be publicly available.  You may need to get a CARN card to use the Record Office, which is free from the R O,; you will need to take your driving licence or passport as identification.  Look on the RO website for more info.  You may also need to order stuff in advance if it is stored offsite; again you will get info from the website.  I'd do some homework (from the website  ) then go along to the RO and have a chat to the staff.  RO staff are usually very helpful, but what they offer varies from place to place.