Genealogy Chat

Thanks again everyone! From what Helen describes The Alders sounded like a nice place to live and very green - my Chapmans were there for over 30 years in the mid 1800s. Best wishes, Karen

Hi Karen I have a book called 'West Wickham Past into Present', and it describes 'The Alders, in years gone by a narrow lane lined with hazelnut hedges'. There is also a photo of one of the last Victorian cottages in the lane (unfortunately demolished in 1986), which has the traditional Kentish weatherboarding. I'm sorry but I don't have a scanner so can't send a copy of the photo, but I can send the details of the book if you like, and you could probably order a copy through your local library.

I cannot find what 'the alders' is exactly but it could be a hamlet. In the 1871 it is a collection of 21 households and i found this on Google; Thomas Durling married and had a cottage built in The Alders alongside his brother William. Later he became a gamekeeper and moved to a cottage in Well Wood. He was an organist (and parish clerk ?) at St. John's Church. 2

Susan and Roger Thank you both so much for your postings. This gives me a couple more leads to work on. Best wishes, Karen

Hi Karen. I remember that in the 1960's that 'The Alders' was a 'home' for people with learning difficulties or Mental Subnormality as it was referred to then. This may be a clue to its origins as a hospital or alms houses or possibly as a workhouse. Maybe their is reference to the place in Croydon because at the time I remember it, it was part of Croydon. Happy Hunting, Roger GC

On looking for reference to The Alders West Wickham I found an entry on CuriousFox which relates to a Lucy Ledger nee Day born in Colchester c. 1792. It goes on to mentioned that she died in 1877 in Alders, West Wickham, Kent. Her husband also died in Alders in 1870. Could it have been a hospital in the late 1800s? Susan

Thanks both, I think it must have been a big place though, as there's quite a few people living there! That's my g-g-g- granddad you found there Jim - I wish he was still about for me to ask him! Best wishes Karen

I think it is just an address. You can follow the people forward through 1861/1871 and each census uses an adapted/different form. Thomas Chapman abt 1814 Down, Kent, England Head West Wickham Kent

try google, Workhouses 'The Alders' if you do single word then on google add the rest (west wickham) you will get some results

Hi all, My Chapman ancestors were resident at 'The Alders' in West Wickham in 1851, however I can't find out what this place was. The Census page looks like it was for an Institution, but 'Position In The Institution' was crossed out and 'Relation to Head of Family' was written in it's place. Has anybody got any ideas? I've tried Googling but I either get results for property ('The Alders' is now a housing estate) or for shopping in Bromley! Many thanks Karen Pope