I was looking at map today for Surrey place names that have come up in connection with Henry and Catherine GASSON: Horley, Burstow and Charlwood.
I knew where Horley was because I pass through it on the train to London (and I briefly visited their library several years ago). I was familiar with Charlwood too, having done some unconnected research in the parish register previously (and I knew that it had moved from Sussex to Surrey in 1974).
Burstow was a new location to me, slightly to the east of the other two, but from the map it looked quite pleasant (quite a few fields to the east of it). Perhaps it might just be far enough from the M23 to escape the roar of traffic, but I doubt it.
There is one other fly in the ointment, Gatwick Airport. Right between the three places is Gatwick Airport. I am sure that I will find my ancestor’s home has long since been bulldozed and the fields they once worked are now covered in tarmac. That would be just my luck!
Only time will tell if my gut instinct is correct, but at least if I am asked where my ancestors come from I will be able to tell them it was Gatwick Airport, which will probably mean more to most people than Burstow, Charlwood or Horley.
Interesting! I would think if any inhabited areas were bulldozed for such an endeavour, there would be a good record somewhere (local history groups?) of exactly what was there, what was moved/recorded/preserved?
I would hope there would be some sort of record, but you never know. My ancestors may not have been underneath it anyway. Only time will tell.