Home Page (Last updated: May the 19th, 2012)
... to a website dedicated
to recording the memories of those who were born,
arrived, lived, worked or died in Walthamstow, formerly an Urban District,
then a Municipal Borough in Essex,
now part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
The site stores people's memories but also acts as a bulletin-board service listing the numerous emails we receive - seeking help with everything from family research to "Do your remember . . . ?"
We list received emails with an email link to the sender. We will try to answer any queries, if we can, but in most instances we simply do not know the answers to the questions we receive - but... you never know who might!
Scroll down for more info on how this website works and what it contains. For beginners my tip is to view some of the Personal Stories first, then trawl through some emails in our "Postbag" collection.
Yes, all human existence is here - provided its roots lie in Walthamstow - lost but not forgotten!
Send your emails to either the site originator, John
Knowles at email or to our
co-editor, Daniel Quinn email.
Daniel is providing a greater range of information and
better feedback for all of us who contribute and use
the site. We look forward to his growing contribution
to the work here. If anybody else would like to join us
then please get in touch - there is always plenty to
do!
First time?
For those visiting this site for the first time, you
might start browsing in the personal recollections by
many past residents of this old County Borough - part
of Essex as it then was. See the
"Memories" menu at the top
of this page.
Why are we doing this? Read our aims in here ... |
|
Please feel free to email any material on Walthamstow -
we will always try to feature it.
We are particularly interested in photographs and
copies of documents that relate to the history of
Walthamstow and the neighbouring London suburbs of
Leyton, Chingford, Woodford, Highams Park and Loughton.
All material should be emailed to either John
or Daniel
The pictures here are taken from the stories of those
whose parents lived and worked in Walthamstow.
What's New?
19 May 2012 - From Daniel:
Dear Friends & Visitors, I will be away from my computer for the next 5 days, so please be patient if the WM site will seem 'still'. I promise that I shall update the contents as soon as I'll be back.
If, when you access this site, you find that the 'date updated' is rather old, try first 'refreshing' the page on your browser (browsers do tend to copy and save pages locally...) - pressing the F5 key usually does it...!
10 May 2012 - From Daniel:
I've upated the site with the latest emails we received. Can't believe it May already -- in a month's time it will be one year since we met in Walthamstow for our 10th Anniversary Gathering! May I humbly remind that the Vestry House Musem Appeal is still open? I know times are tough, but this also applies to our little/great Museum! Please consider knocking up the therometer...!.
For old "What's New" messages [Click Here]
The "Walthamstow Past & Present" Project
Our friend Dave Hughes, is working on a very laudable project, called "Walthamstow: Past & Present". One of the sections of this project is to include all the live performers that have ever played in Walthamstow. Although he has nearly 5,000 listed so far, he needs help with the following: 1) live acts and the dates they played from The Lord Brooke in Shernhall Street, particularly The Navvy Boot Folk Club, 2) live acts and dates from The Swan in Wood Street, 3) The Chestnut Tree in Lea Bridge Road, particuliarly the folk club in the late 1970's/early 1980's, and lastly, 4) live acts and dates at The Standard 1985 and before.
Dave is now adding a section on "teachers", both past and present to this project. If anyone can provide names, the subjects they taught and any other information he would be grateful.
Any information, however small would be appreciated. Thank you.
Read more on this big project, that includes Trades, Streets, etc.. [here].
The "Walthamstow 'Snaps' offer" Project
If you would like a photograph of a particular spot in Walthamstow - for instance an ancestor's house or the road where you once lived - our friend Dave Hughes has offered to take one for you!
He lives in Walthamstow and often is out and about in the area taking pictures with his mobile phone, for inclusion in the 'Walthamstow: Past & Present' project, which he's currently compiling.
Please email Dave with your request, providing it is in the E17 area, and he will take the picture and email it to you in jpeg format. There will be no charge for this, but perhaps just a bit of time to wait...
Most of the pictures will be added to the "Photo's of Walthamstow" section of the WPP project. The project's CD is available from Dave at a cost of £3.00 (including p&p in the UK).
Latest e-mails received
(for full list of the current year see Postbag 2012)
08 May 2012 - Coronation Street Party:
Hi...my partner Rod Johnson and I are looking at his family history.....looking at St Matthews Church, Upper Clapton...we visited this on Monday as his grand parents were married there...would you know where we could obtain a photo of the church as it was in 1919? Look forward to hearing from you
Christine JESSEY,
[Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
08 May 2012 - Dominion Cinema:
Hi,I am a freelance journalist and I am currently working on a article about the former Dominion cinema, situated on Buxton Road. I was wondering if one of you, perhaps have any memories about the former cinema? Did you or your family ever visited the cinema, have any historical stories about it? At the moment, nothing is being done about its abandonment by its American onwers (Chelsea Corporation), what do you think about this?? Anything small may prove to be very useful,Thanks,
Soraya DOWNIE,
[Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
07 May 2012 - Public Reply to David Baker:
Hi, I also attended William McScruffy in about 1952 -53. I then passed the 13+ and went to William Morris.
I remember Mr. Furness with trepidation. Would still call him Mr Furness now! Miss Thrippleton was
our swimming and phys ed teacher. We called the poor lady kipper feet as she had large feet with I guess bunions and she did have a strange
gait but was very kind in her own way. My form teacher was Miss Roberts who I adored. Strange that I can't remember any other teachers
now although there was a lady teacher who married the art master.
Miss Roberts always chose hymn number 81 - or was it 82? - "Hills of the North Rejoice" for assembly and someone else always picked "Onwards
Christian Soldiers" with all the verses --groan groan from us all!! My sister Pam Kimmings did "her time" at William McGuffie, before going to
Pitmans. Pam was born 1945 so she must have been there from 1956. I think brother William went there for a year about 1960 when they
came to Australia in 1963. The name Shirley Dunbar comes to mind, as does Mary Scott and my, at the time, best friend Valerie Barker, who
lived in Carnanton Road. One wonders where they all are now!
Well remember Mansies pie and eel shop in the High Street. Would love a serve of jellied eels! Regards
Ann DAVIES nee KIMMINGS,
[Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
05 May 2012 - Coronation Street Party:
Hi there. My name is Joan Jones and I used to live in St John's Road Walthamstow. Today I found your website and looked into Reginald Kings Gallery and I remember the Coronation Street Party well. In photo 1.2 there are three men who organised the party, Mr. Ward, Mr. Must and Mr. Reid and in Picture 1/11 and 1/12, there are pictures of my younger sister Barbara. She is wearing a crown on her head and on her dress. She will be thrilled when I tell her about your site. My single name was Virgo and I lived there from 1937 when I was born, until I moved in 1960. Thought you might like to tell Sue Powell (who you did the pictures for) There was a Mr King, who had a grocery shop - I do not know if that is the same man who took the photos or not.
Joan JONES,
[Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
02 May 2012 - Public Reply to David Baker:
Dear David, are you the same person I went to school with at Willow field with Emilios Demitrio?
Steve HILL,
[Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
28 Apr 2012 - Local History:
Hi John, The Staff at St James Street Station c.1914 (Note Staff of 20 )
My Grandfather Harry Markley was the Station Master and Harry Finch (Top Right) later became my Father:
Regards
Len FINCH,
[Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
28 Apr 2012 - Local History:
Hi John, Maybe of interest:
Regards
Len FINCH,
[Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
23 Apr 2012 - Public reply to Karen BROWN:
I did try to trace your Mrs Osbourne's brother by looking at possible Osbourne/Osborne marriages in an attempt to discover her maiden name and thereby her brother surname. This has proved unsuccessful. I did wonder if Mrs Osbourne was possibly a Miss with Osbourne being her maiden name.
There are records for a steward on the Titanic for a W. Osborne who lived in Southampton but was born somewhere in London about 1880. Without knowing Mrs Osbourne's full name or her maiden name, (if any), it is difficult to come up with something more concrete other than a tentative link.
Regards
Michael GILBEY,
[Private Reply]
[Public Reply]
Read the emails from the current year in Postbag 2012
Copyright notice: Images on this site are reproduced for the purposes of research and study only. Whilst every effort has been made to trace the Copyright holders, we would be grateful for any information concerning Copyright of the images and we will withdraw them immediately on Copyright holder's request.