Genealogy Forum UK

Hi, it's been a while but I'm having another run at filling in some gaps in my family history. I'm actually now getting more interested in the daily lives of my ancestors, where they worked, where they may have socialised etc..

So one of my ancestors showed up as a Male Servant at I believe Green Hill Farm, may also be Greenhill Farm. I've searched the web for stuff but not much information about it, and what became of it. I do know that there is a road called Green Hill Road around that location, which is a housing estate, but next to it there is some greenbelt land.

So, I was wondering if any locals know much about it, or know a good place for me to start to discover more about this location.

Nick

Green Hill was next to Olive Hill Off Long Lane in 19th century maps some buildings there so may have been a farm? http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/maps/ ... 1353.52801

Yeah I know it was a farm, just wondered if there was anything left.

Here are some bits and bobs which gives a time-frame of Greenhill Farm:-

http://maps.nls.uk/os/25inch-england-and-wales/

Click on "As individual sheets......... " under Browse Maps. Left hand box type in place name, i.e. Mucklow Hill, click on the drop down box, then click on a square, then on the right hand side it lists maps that are available for that section.

Dudley Archives Maps

http://gismo.dudley.gov.uk/public/historic/Default.asp

Click on the box "I have read and accept the terms & conditions of use" Type in the box "Property name/number" Greenhill Cottages, submit, choose one of the 3 on list.

Extract from "Street Names of Stourbridge & Its Vicinity by H. Jack Haden published by The Black Country Society 1999"

.....Approached by a drive from the main road to Birmingham near Long Lane is Greenhill House, one of the oldest houses in the area to survive until the last decade of the 20th century, though much of its surroundings have been built on. In the early part of the 19th century Greenhill was the residence of the Darby family. The inscription on a stone in Halesowen Churchyard reads - ".....the earthly remains of Joseph Darby, late of Green Hill......

Newpaper article 11 Oct 1913 (FMP) - Sales: Farm Stock at Greenhill Farm, Halesowen

Newspaper article 2 July 1934 (FMP) - New Companies: Leasowes Building Co. Ltd. Darby family members of Greenhill Farm, Mucklows Hill, Halesowen etc. etc.

Will dated 1954 - William Henry Baker of The Croft Greenhill Farm Mucklow Hill Halesowen Worcestershire

Greenhill House apparently is a Grade 2 listed building. Your best bet would be to contact Dudley Archives & Local History Service.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for this, really useful.

I also find it useful because my ancestor William Toy b 1820 grandson Thomas Toy b 1883 married an Emily Darby b 1882, potential family link there.

Nick if you join Halesowen Roots on Facebook, a lot of the locals will know about Greenhill Farm and the surrounding area.

Some details from The History of Halesowen :-

Thomas Green Iron Monger of Greenhill Farm Mucklow Hill died 1753. His son was Edward died 1794 leaving money in trust for the Poor in Halesowen. Edwards business was taken over by Joseph Darby. Joseph's Widowed daughter Amelia Wheeler started up a Girls School in 1849 at Greenhill House. The Book says that Greenhill House still stands at the top of Mucklows Hill. Doesn't mean it is still there today though, will ask one of my Halsowen Friends.

One of my friends thinks that the House is still there. Was up a long drive with beautiful Lawns and Gardens.

Moving to black country towns and streets section.

This is a good link

www.dudley.gov.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresour ... ype=full...

Yeah I've been looking at it on Google Maps streetview. On my list to visit next time I'm up that way.

I grew up in Greenhill Road, which is off Long Lane, and the house I lived in backed on to Mucklow Hill. I believe Greenhill House is still there, accessed off Mucklow Hill.

Yeah I spotted the house on Google Maps, grade II listed, so I'll be visiting there in the spring.