Future days in the past

The secrets of Lewisham's past and that of its inhabitants will be unlocked for everyone with the release of its 1901 Census.

From January 3, current residents will be able to discover more about their family history or find out who lived in their present home in the borough, or anywhere else, at the turn of the 20th Century.

All the statistics and information from the 1901 Census returns will be just a click away on the internet at the Local Studies Centre at Lewisham Library in Lewisham High Street.

The only information required to search the returns for the entire United Kingdom is a name.

With this at hand, residents will be able to find out where their relatives once lived.

Other details include what employment they did in 1901, who they married and how many children they had and their dates and places of birth.

Later next year, microfilm records for the borough will become available, although names and addresses will be needed to search on this.

The year 1901 was particularly interesting time for the area.

At that time, most of the housing was built, including the Corbett Estate.

Most of the property between Stanstead Road and Perry Hill and south of Sydenham Road was developed in that year.

Historians will also be able to use the information to map the economic and social history of the borough.

This will include details of the shipbuilding, seafaring and dock workers centred around the Deptford area.

Lewisham Council's deputy for culture Councillor Alyson McGarrigle said: "The new year is the chance to unlock the secrets of the 1901 Census.

"Tracking your family or the history your house and area has never been easier thanks to the internet and microfilm available for everyone to use at the Local Studies Centre."

For more information about booking sessions on the internet, which will be charged for by the Public Records Office, and the free microfilm service call 020 8297 0682.

December 28, 2001 16:00