Genealogy Chat

I have discovered today that my Great grandfather died at St James, Hale Road, Farnham, Surrey. I have no idea what St James is/was but wondered if it was a hospital or convalescent home or similar? Any thoughts appreciated. I don't know where to start! Google hasn't thrown up anything Sue

Hi Sue I know it well. St James' was a church on Hale Road, it's now been turned into flats. Did it give an address? I live 2 miles from Farnham now, but lived in Farnham for years. My son goes to Farnham College, so any pic's you need, just ask. Sandra

Hi Sandra Thanks for the reply. Im a little confused though! I was looking at the burial registers and that is where I found the entry regarding place of death. It literally said St James, Hale Road, Farnham, Surrey. I suppose he could have dropped dead in church!!

Oops, sorry. There is also a St James Avenue in Farnham. Maybe he lived there? It is a road that comes from the Hale Road, and ends up in Farnham Park. Here's a map http://www*farnham*gov*uk/fileadmin/content/download/Farnham-Town-map*pdf replace the *

If you just enter 'St James' on the Google map it will show you that there is a St James' House in East Street Farnham. However, as you mentioned Hale Road it is likely to be St James' Avenue, as it runs off Hale Road.

You can Google for the address - On the Google site look for maps and just enter the address - there is St James' Avenue and St' James Terrace

The old Farnham Union Workhouse was in Hale Road (my 3xgreat grandfather was there in 1891). It may have been turned into a hospital. Have you googled? (oops! just re-read your original message re google!) Angela

It may be worth remembering that workhouses on birth certificates did not say workhouse - they used another 'name' as the address. Looking at the thread above I suggest they did the same for death certificates. From another thread this workhouse was still in use as a workhouse whereas many by that date were mainly hospitals. Clive

I don't think it was a workhouse in the 1950's, the old workhouse buildings were used as part of the hospital itself. It wasn't called St James though, it has always been Farnham Hospital, Hale Road. The old hospital was demolished about 5 years ago, and a new state of the art health centre has been built to replace it. The original workhouse still stands at the entrance, they can't pull it down as it's listed. It looks in a sorry state though, all the windows boarded up, and covered in ivy and weeds. I think he probably died in a house in St James Road or St James Terrace. They are still the original houses in both of these roads. If you do find out the number and want a photo, just let me know.

Hmmmmm. Thanks for the replies. I am going to order his death certificate, but it sounds odd that he may have died in a private house. My mum insists that she visited his grave as a child, and her sister informs me he died 51/52. My mum would have been 20 when he died in 57 and her sister was older. Looks a bit like something was covered up here - workhouse? sent away for another reason? Am so intrigued now!

Hi Sue He was probably buried in Farnham Cemetery, which is on the otherside of the town. If you contact the Surrey Record office, the have the records for that cemetery, so should be able to give you his grave number and position. I could always pop over and take a photo. The Surrey Family History Centre web address is http://www*surreycc*gov*uk/surreyhistoryservice/

Thanks Sandra. He is buried in Milford Cemetery, those were the records where I discovered he died in Farnham. He lived in Milford for many years and Im not aware of any family being in Farnham at that time. Its all a bit odd! Will let you know if his death cert throws up anything interesting. Sue