Sunderland Road, Forest Hill

The History of Sydenham from Cippenham to present day. Links to photos especially welcome!
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alfabet
Posts: 4
Joined: 21 Dec 2011 12:15
Location: UK

Sunderland Road, Forest Hill

Post by alfabet »

While researching my family history, I discovered that my ancestor Robert PARTRIDGE was a greengrocer in Forest Hill from about 1870-1900. I think his shop might have been on Stanstead Road, moving to Sunderland Road by 1891.

Can anyone advise on how I can research this further? Are there local archives which might help me?
Chris Doran
Posts: 34
Joined: 19 Nov 2008 03:53
Location: Penge

Re: Sunderland Road, Forest Hill

Post by Chris Doran »

London Southern Suburbs street directories online at http://www.historicaldirectories.org/ show him at 1 Sunderland Road from 1896 to 1902. He's been replaced by W Roberts by 1904. There are no earlier directories online to locate him before 1896, but they are available at many inner London Local Studies Libraries if you are in that area. Lewisham would be the best place to go, but due to cuts they now have restricted opening hours; see http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/his ... fault.aspx
alfabet
Posts: 4
Joined: 21 Dec 2011 12:15
Location: UK

Re: Sunderland Road, Forest Hill

Post by alfabet »

Hi Chris, thanks for your reply! That's brilliant information.

I will have to make a trip up to the area and have a look round.

My dream would be to find a photo of his shop.

Thanks again.
Chris Doran
Posts: 34
Joined: 19 Nov 2008 03:53
Location: Penge

Re: Sunderland Road, Forest Hill

Post by Chris Doran »

You're welcome.

But whoops. I failed to look carefully enough at Kent directories, where Forest Hill is to be found in earlier years. He is at Stanstead Rd in 1874 and 1882, and in Sunderland Rd in 1891. No number is given in Stanstead Rd -- maybe it wasn't numbered at that time.

If Steve Grindley and/or Lewisham Local studies don't have any photographs, you might keep an eye on the postcard sections of auction sites such as eBay, Delcampe, or eBid, or attend postcard fairs and go through boxes of cards for photographs of the roads. But unless you're very lucky, be prepared for a long search.
alfabet
Posts: 4
Joined: 21 Dec 2011 12:15
Location: UK

Re: Sunderland Road, Forest Hill

Post by alfabet »

Thanks Chris. Which directory did you find the 1874 reference in? I didn't spot that one.

There is a contemporaneous photo of Devonshire Road at http://www.francisfrith.com/forest-hill ... 898_42673/ which gives a flavour of the times. It's only round the corner.

Does Steve Grindlay use these forums? I didn't know of him until I just googled :-)

I'd been thinking of buying a copy of http://www.amazon.co.uk/Forest-Hill-Syd ... 750929189/ and/or http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sydenham-Forest ... 948667613/ in case they had a photo in. Long shot I know!

I hadn't heard of Delcampe, thanks for the tip :-)
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