louise renfrey
30-09-2006, 8:52 PM
Have been tracking through some of my 3 x great grand mothers siblings and have come across a John Ward born 1836 who was on 1851 census living at 105 Islington Birmingham - Institute for the blind. When I googled this, the best thing was to see a commemorative medal struck when the new building was completed in 1852. Does anyone know anything more??? Presumably it was a fee-paying school? Did his father, Robert, make a donation for the new building??? John, despite being blind, went on to be a farmer (!!) and a news agent and married a lass called Jane and had many children. Any additional info on this school is greatly appreciated - he was certainly a brave soul and it would be great to learn more. thank you.