About Gravesend

In response to Toms message. Wombwell Hall is now a nursing home and has been since 1989, after the school, then called Northfleet Grammar closed. I was a pupil there in it's last year. It will be very hard if not impossible to trace old documents and pics as I've tried.
Gravesend itself is a sad, majestic old town let down by the huge influx of imigrants and miscreants and will never be the same. It's going downhill no matter how much is spent on it. In my humble opinion. Great website though.

My ancestor, Henry Ball was born 1857/61 in Gravesend, Kent, (or so he states in the census returns of 1881, 1891 and 1901). The problem is - I can't find his birth and I don't know which parish to look under. He married Amy Ellis on 22 August 1880 at St. Mary's. Plaistow, Bromley, Kent. On their marriage certificate in states that his father is also a Henry but states the surname as Balls (with an 's'). I'm completely stuck and would really appreciate any help or advice. Many thanks! Lesley Savill.

just talking to a friend online and she showed me this site
bearing in mind she lives in canada

I WAS BORN & RAISED IN GRAVESEND, AND STILL LIVE HERE TODAY.MY GRANDAD (CHARLIE)HE WAS KNOWN AS USED TO HAVE A WATCH & CLOCKMENDERS SHOP IN WROTHAM ROAD OPPOSITE WROTHAM RD SCHOOL, NEXT TO A FLORISTS.HE USED TO WIND UP AND MAINTAIN THE CLOCK TOWER IN BERKLEY SQUARE.
WE USED TO SPEND A LOT OF OUR TIME IN THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS AT THE OPEN AIR SWIMMING POOL IN ORDANCE RD LAZYING AROUND TRYING TO GET A TAN ON THE HOT STONES BEFORE GOING TO MAXFIELDS TO GET A BAG OF CHIPS ON THE WAY HOME.
ON A SATURDAY MORNING THERE WAS ABC MINORS AT THE CINEMA.BUT SADLY NOW THERE ALL GONE.

As a Gravesender born (1949)and bred (until 1968) I found this site very interesting. Until the age of 5 I lived in my grandparents' house on The Terrace and had many family connections with tugging operations on the river.

One gripe - why do the commentaries on the photographs have to be littered with mis-spellings and misplaced apostrophes?

I am researching my family history. Is there anyone who could help with old photos of 1A and 2A Windmill Street? Where William Waters lived and owned a drapers business nearby. This would be in the mid 1800 to 1890’s
I would appreciate some feedback to Hudspith@pacific.net.au

Great site..loved the pictures.my husbands great great grandfather was george hubert edmonds 3x mayor of gravesend in the 1800s,and his daughter alice married george edward sharlands son george ..so lots of history going back to gravesend.we love visiting the town and especially seeing the old town hall.

Best wishes Dawn

although now in USA,one always has a softspot for your roots.Left Gravesend in 1966,have been back many times and seen the changes,my wife was also from Gravesend,its our 50 th wedding anniversary on dec 24th,was looking for her old school photo for our records it was Gravesnd Technical School for girls at Wombwell Hall any ideas.
yours,Tom

Hi Teresa

I know a man (not nice) who worked at Kendall House before it closed.

I hope you can trace other people who remember the place and that you find what you are looking for

I have never been to Gravesend but it seems like a nice place to live