Where is The Old Post Office, Soberton...

[ncmtgal]

Two of my husband's family members died at "The Old Post Office, Soberton, R.D., Droxford registration district, Southampton Co., England".  I may be in the wrong pew here ...and if I am, could someone please direct me to the right spot to post this inquiry?  I would like to know where exactly they died.  Surely, they did not die in a local post office!  I live in the US and am totally unfamiliar with your country.  Any help is much appreciated!

Thank you so much.  Anne

[Pastmagic]

Can you post more details, names dates etc? One of my great great grandfather's was a postmaster, and grocer and his family lived over the shop, and he died there, c.1912
PM

[ncmtgal]

Hello,

  Ernest Edward Searle died 31 March 1952, The Old Post Office, Soberton, R.D., Droxford Registration district, Southampton according to his death certificate.  His wife, Emily Elizabeth (nee Clark) Searle, died 13 October, 1953 at same locale, per her death record.

  Thank you for any assistance you can give. 

  Anne

[Brentor boy]

My guess is that the premises had previously been the local Post Office but then reverted to a domestic dwelling.

In UK the post office in a small village or locality is operated by sub-postmasters who are self employed agents of the Post Office. They have to provide their own premises. When they cease to act in this capacity and someone else takes over the responsibility then the service could operate from a different address. The  former property might retain the name "The Old Post Office"  because that is how it would be recognised locally.

[sem73]

Hi Anne

Picture of Soberton post office c1905.....could be "the old post office" in the '50s?!.....

http://calm.hants.gov.uk/DServe/DServe.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=ImageView.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqImage=HPP5-1-50.jpg

Sarah

[Little Nell]

Using Sarah's old photo, then you can see what it looks like now using Google Streetview.  The postcode is SO32 3PN.  There is a telephone box and a post box opposite the houses.  There are some houses set up on a higher level on the east side of the road.  The Old Post Office is one of the ones on the lower level.  I've zoomed in to look at the house names, but can't make them out. I think you will find the the Post Office may have been the one at the southern end of the group with the double garage and gravel in front of it.

Nell

[ncmtgal]

Thanks to all who have responded to my inquiry.  I have been trying to use Google Earth (street view) as you suggested, Nell.  Do you know what street the old post office is located on?  I have entered the postal code but no luck.  I am rather lost on side streets or out in the country! 
It is a very pretty area...rural and quite lovely.   I do believe that it is quite possible that the post office was converted to a domestic building as suggested.  Sarah, your old photo is quite helpful...thank you very much.

 Best wishes to those who have assisted!  Anne

[ncmtgal]

Hello again, Nell,

   Is this building located on High Street?  I believe that I may have found it.  There is a small grey car parked in front of it.  Several potted flowers are also on the sidewalk in front of the large white building. 

  Thanks!  Anne

[Little Nell]

That's the right area.  I tend to use the maps function first from the home page on Google.  Put the postcode in and then put the orange figure on the spot!  It is on the road marked High Street.

I think the house with the grey car parked outside was not the post office since in the old photo I can see the post box in the wall of the building closest the camera.  These were usually placed in the wall of the building that was the post office.  Of course, the other one may have been the original one and then it was moved further along, and that's how it came to be known as the Old Post Office.

I have checked the post code to see what addresses are attached to it and none has 'Post Office' in the name.  However, looking at streetview again, I can make out Linden Villas for the two houses which I think may have originally had the post box in the wall and that does appear in the list of possible addresses.

Nell