John O'Laverty Jan 1942

I am trying to trace my Grandfathers Wearabouts during WW2. I have found a Death Cert for a John O'Laverty in Jan 1942. John was an Iron rivitter and a ship builder.. I am from Southampton so was my father I have an address for John on my Father's Birth certificate. This John O'Laverty could possibly be a relative and died in the Bomb raid in Jan 1942.. I am trying to find out details of where he may have worked in the docks. Was from Iish decent not sure if he had family in LIVERPOOL... contacts with Belfast John Joseph O'laverty.

Any records dock records or address details I would appreciate which would give me a clearer picture.. documentation in Southampton formerly kown in Southampton 1918 as my father was born there as was I and my 2 children.

Ship building was grandfather's trade.. The Titanic came to us from Belfast so he ended up in Liverpool and if it is him who died in the bomb raid possibly in Stanhope St or close by ..

I am eager to know dates talley ideas of where I can find more details..

Southampton uk.

Molton family Latimer st off Scotland Road

I am researching my family history and although there was a very large family on my mothers side I cannot find any of them.The name was Molton which was changed ti Molden in the early 1930s.

They had a pork butchers on Latimer st off Scotland Rd.John Molden was also a carter. I think they had about 14 children but they seeme to have vanished into thin air.I would be much obliged if any one can shed any light on the family.

Thank you

Harrison Street

 

 

I am carrying out some family research and have just found out that my great-great grandparents lived in Harrison Street at about 1871, so seeing the map above was very interesting. 

 

If anyone has any information or pictures of Harrison Street or nearby I would be very grateful. 

 

Thank you, David.

 

David Wardle

Restaurant in Great George Place

Does anyone know the name of the restaurant that was in great george place liverpool around?

The King and I Governess

Hello Rob,

could you please confirm whether the real King of Siam Governess was originally from Liverpool.

Regards

Phil Wolds

 

Anna Leonowens (26 November 1831–19 January 1915)

Robert Street North

Hi,

I need help -

I am trying to find pictures, paintings or sketches of roberts street (Robert Street North) off Great Howard Street.

My family owned a number of pubs and hotels in the mid 1800's

crbritton@googlemail.com


Chris

Bonk Street

Hello,
Whilst researching my family history I have a reference to Bonk Street Liverpool.  I canot find any street with that name.  Can you help please.
Sincerely
Emily Jordan

The Liverpool Royal Institution

Hello Rob,

whilst walking round the Bold Street area I spotted a building called The Liverpool Royal Institution.  I would like to konw something about the the Royal Institution and if it is still active.

Peter Deveroux

Liverpool`s Tram System Map

Hello Rob

I have been trying to locate a map`of Liverpool`s  tram system before it was dismantled.  

Do you know where I can find a copy?

Les Wilcox

St John`s Beacon

Hello Rob,

I have often wondered how many steps there in St John`s Beacon, I have searched for the information and can not find it.  If anyone knows I am sure you will know it.

Regards

Bill

Stork Hotel and Douglas Bader

This post has been deleted

Springfield Nursing Home

Very interesting site.
Can anyone help me with the location in the late 1940's of Springfield Nursing Home.
I think it was in the Alder Hey area.

68 Renshaw Street

can any! tell me what 68 Renshaw street used to be?

1797 map of Liverpool

Dear Rob,

I recently purchased a 1797 map of Liverpool from EBay and although in fairly good condition I would like to know more about this map and hope you may have some information on the publisher or author.

I have enclosed a scan of the title section of the map.

Regards

Peter

R. Jones Liverpool Gunsmith

Hello

Forgive me for bothering you. I have  purchaseed an English Pepperbox gun which is  shown on the tang of the stock as being made by one R. Jones Liverpool. It is dated  around  1840 . I have been trying  in vain to find  out something about the  maker but have drawn a blank
on every occasion.

Do you have any record of  this gunsmith or could  you point  me in the right
direction.  I would  be garateful for any help.  My father was born in
Liverpool 1912 in Priory hill Everton  and  might  have helped but he  is
loong  since gone.
 
With kind regards
Ken Gillies

Industrial Unrest in the early 1920s

I am researching industrial unrest in the early 1920s, in particular during the economic recession of 1921 and 1922. In the sprimg of 1921, as the coal industry was released from wartime Government regulation, mine-owners imposed swingeing wage cuts on the miners. Any miner who refused to accept the cut was locked out. The miners were set to come out on strike and looked for support to the dockworkers and the railwaymen, fellow members of the 'Triple Alliance' of unions. But, in the 'Black Friday' crisis of Friday, 15 April 1921, the railwaymen and dockworkers announced that they would not support the miners' cause. This effectively ended the Triple Alliance.   According to a report in the Guardian on 12 April 1921 someone claiming to represent staff at Lime Street sent Jimmy Thomas of the NUR a telegram stating that they were refusing to strike. It turned out later that, by his own admission, the unnamed person responsible had in fact left the NUR six months before and only represented non-union labour. But the telegram is nevertheless believed to have played a role in the railwaymen's refusal to support the miners.   I wonder if you know of anyone with knowledge of that period, in particular someone who might know who was the author of this telegram?   Can you offer any guidance on this one?   Kind regards   Andrew Jeffrey. Barnhill Dundee DD5 2QS

Falkner Street around the early 1900s

Hello Rob

I hope you can help.

My ancestors lived in Toxteth Park around the early 1900s.

In the 1911 census, Annie Abrahams was a patient in the Toxteth Park Samaritan Hospital For Women (36 Up parliament Street). Would you be able to tell me what manner of hospital this was?

In 1924, her mother Hannah Abrahams died at 104 Falkner street. What was this street like in the 1920s? Was it a respectable area or rather less so?

I hope that you will be able to help.

Dan Abrahams

Street names that still exist today

Hello

I am researching Genealogy for my dissertation at University. My family originate form Cumberland but my ancestral trail has brought me to Liverpool. Part of my lineage moved to Liverpool around the 1830's/1840's and my father grew up in the Aintree area. My ancestors lived in the Kirkdale/Everton area and I have several addresses taken from Census records.   My plan is to travel over to Liverpool on the 25th of February and visit these areas where my ancestors lived. Street names that still exist today are Netherfield Road North, Burlington Street, St Martins Cottages, Melbourne Street. I also have a list of many of the churches that various family memebers were married. I see from comparing old maps of Liverpool with current maps that these areas have changed over time. Are there certain old buildings that still exist today? Where can I look that will give me the best picture of what life was like in Victorian Kirldale/Walton?

I would like to know how you can help me discover more about the history of the areas that they lived. My ancestors were mariners, riggers, carters, the sort of thing you would expect in the areas around the docks. Would it be possible to meet with somebody from the society for an hour to discuss my project with, and possibly interview? I am a journalism student so therefore my project requires me to look indepth at genealogy and its relevance in the 21st century, how its changing due to technology etc.. How closely is family history and genealogy associated?

I very much hope that soembody can assist me with this and I hope to hear back from someone soon.

Kidn regards

Kevin Benson

Dudley Road Liverpool

Hello Rob,

I have been trying to source a photograph of Dudley Road where my Grandparents lived around the turn of the century.  Someone suggested I give you a try, although I do understand it is a bit of a long shot. 

Best wishes
Leanne

Liverpool`s Official Motto

 Dear Rob,

what is the meaning of Liverpool citys official motto translated from latin and does it have an origin in literature?
Peter O

Laurences Temperance Hotel, Clayton Square

Hi Rob,

Please can you tell me any details about Laurences Temperance Hotel, 21 Clayton Square. I know my ancestor William Michael Laurence purchased the lease when it was Browns Temperance Hotel about 1855, and that his son Thomas Davy Laurence took it over upon his father death in 1874.

Please can you tell me about the hotel itself, how many rooms and so on?

Are there any pictures of its interior or adverts of the time?

Foster Street Pub and Tetley Beer

My father was in a pub on Foster Street where he ordered a Tetley Beer (closest thing apparently to Canadian beer) in the Second World War (he was in the Navy). He mentioned it was near the Rialto Dance Hall. I'm going to England next week and I'm visiting Liverpool. I would love to see this pub and yes have a Tetley Beer. He cannot remember the name of the pub. Could you shed any light. My grandparents were from England and I have always wanted to visit the place where they were born. I'm from Toronto, Canada and can't wait to finally visit the country of our family. Thanks for any help

janmiller@rogers.com

Port of Liverpool Building and Robert Gladstone

Hello Rob,

It was a pleasure meeting with you at the Liverpool Cultural Heritage Forum Conference in May held at Liverpool Cathedral.  I believe Robert Gladstone had something to do with the building of the Port of Liverpool Building at the Peirhead.  As Mr Gladstone was a proprietor of the Athenaeum in Church Alley and I believe you are also a fellow proprietor would you know if there is any substance in this claim.

Regards

Anthony Clever-Wood

Royal Historical Society

Cronton Stocks

Hello

I am trying to contact the Liverpool History Society regarding a query about Cronton stocks. I have read that they are unusual because they have five holes, unlike others that have pairs of holes. Is there anyone who would be able to offer a reason why the stocks have five holes?

I should be most grateful for any information that you can offer regarding this query.

Jayne Williams

Unicorn pub Cronton near the stocks

My Mother Said (A Liverpool Irish Memoir)

Hello,

Thank you for your informative website.

 

My mother was born and raised in Liverpool. She has just turned 80 and has just had her memoirs published in her book "My MotherSaid... (A Liverpool Irish Memoir)".

I wonder if you would be interested in posting a link to her book, making it available to your readers?

It's available here http://www.equilibriumbooks.com/mymothersaid.htm

I hope to hear from you soon!

Kind regards,

Catriona Hill.

Forced Emigration of Children

In respect to the forced emigration of children, it is well known that many orphaned children from Liverpool were sent to Australia and Canada from the various childrens institutions throughout the city. The system began in the 1860s and continued beyond the 1930s and was on the face of it a charitable act to take orphans to the land of plenty where they would be looked after on farms and in agricultural areas. However, many of the farmers regarded the children as cheap labour and gave them little in return apart from board and lodging.
The authorities may have begun the scheme with orphans but they soon began to include petty thieves, the destitute or delinquents which was a fine way to keep the jails empty and get rid of "problem" children. Regarding the tallyman in all this --- if they found persistent "offenders" in overcrowded houses who refused the order to "disperse to another address" then they could find themselves among the miscreants bound for the colonies.
Liverpool Seamens Orphanage in Newsham Park was a centre for these activities --- a letter from an old employee at the Orphanage condemned the practice in a letter to the Liverpool Echo as late as summer 2009.

Orphaned Children who were sent to Canada

I have been searching for several years for trace of two of these orphaned children who were sent to Canada. My grandmother was orphaned in 1886 and a brother and sister were shipped to Canada in May 1900. I have a copy of the passenger list. Records of what happened after they went to the "distributing house" in Ottawa are lost, but I am curious to know from where in Liverpool they were taken. It seems that the Catholic children on that ship were from "Father Berry's Homes" and there seems to be some connection with Brownlow Hill. I don't know where they were from their mother's death in 1886 to 1900. Would orphan children have been put in a workhouse, or would there have been Catholic orphanages? (I live in Canada and don't know this) They were "distributed" (don't you love the expression) according to their religion. Harder to trace the Catholic children, who were fewer I think.

75 Renshaw Street

Can any tell me about the history of the building of 75 Renshaw Street its a junk shop now

Mere Villa Dance Hall

 Possibly Mere Villa Dance Hall, Mere Lane.

Can anyone tell me a little about the Mere Villa Dance Hall, this is where my parents had their wedding reception back in April 1947,

Liverpool Architectural and Archaeological Society Letters

Hello Rob

I have a bundle of hand written letters in my possesion they are all from 1848 and are all from members of the Liverpool Architectural and Archaeological Society,they are in very good condition,some of the names are Picton and Horsefall.

Are they of any value intrest thanks Ian

iianeverton@aol.com

Rushworth`s Request for information

My name is Mrs Irene Henshaw and I worked at Rushworth and Draper from 1937 (when I was 18 years old and my name was Miss Platt) to 1941 when the war meant that I had to leave to work at the Ministry of Food.

Rushworths was a very significant part of my young life in Liverpool and I have very fond memories of my job there and the many characters I worked with.

My first role was in the organ works on Great George Street - a marvellous place. I remember the apprentice organ builders and George Hutchins the Manager of the organ works who tested them. I recall sitting alongside him on the organ bench while he played, urging him to ‘swing it’ a bit! The men were highly skilled craftsman – my bosses Mr Rackham and Mr Parker were university graduates. Every room contained organ pipes and the various elements that went into the build – it was very complicated. When the war came, the organ works was closed because it was felt that organs were luxury items and there would be no call for them. The Sheet Music Department was also a very important part of the business.

When the organ works closed, I went to work in the shop on Islington where they sold radiograms, I then worked in the publicity department – scouring the newspapers for any reference to Rushworth and Draper and keeping the cuttings - and I also worked for a short spell in the basement trying to sell, would you believe, washing machines and industrial sized ironing boards! This idea was Mr James Rushworth’s – he thought it would be a money spinner but it didn’t work. I also remember Maynard Rushworth who gave piano lessons.
One of my friends was Miss Rae Davies who worked in the Box Office managing all the ticket sales for shows around the country and for the Liverpool theatres too. Miss Davies shared the Box Office with a parrot that greeted customers – a company gimmick - it used to irritate her terribly.

As well as serving all things musical, Rushworths had a strong connection with the theatres and with visiting actors. Rushworth Hall was used by artistes for rehearsals and many famous names of the day passed through the doors including Michael Redgrave; Malcolm Sargent was also a regular visitor.

Rushworth’s cared for their employees – although the pay wasn’t brilliant. As well as a staff restaurant serving excellent food, there was a rest room for female employees who might have a tummy ache and need a hot water bottle and a lie down. There was also an annual company sports day.

Alison Henshaw on behalf of Irene Henshaw

Petticoat Lane or Petticoat Street.

Hello

I am trying to determine if there was a street or lane in existence in Liverpool called either Petticoat Lane or Petticoat Street. The time period would be between 1850 and 1880. If so, would it have been near what is now called the Petticoat Lane Arcade?

I am doing family geneology and believe that my grandfathers family may have had a ships chandlery on or near this location.

Any assistance you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Mary Corvese

Childwall Coat of Arms or Logo

Hi

I am in the process of starting up a ‘Childwall in Bloom’.  The aim is to put floral display around Taggart Avenue and the surrounding area. I know Childwall has a long history. What I am trying to find out is, if Childwall area had a Coat of Arms, Moto or any icon relating to Childwall history that could be used on a letter head, posters or brass plates  ect . And if so, how do I go about getting permission to use them.

I would be so grateful if you could help.

Regards

Margaret Weighill

 Childwall Church

William Wyckliff Watch Maker of Water Street

I am looking for information about a watch maker by the name of William Wyckliff who resided in Water Street liverpool around 1720. Does anyone have information about this person?

Coutman

G/Day Rob

 

I will proceed to introduce my self,I am a fourth  generation Australian my name is Athol Coutman.  My great grandfather on my mothers side (Alfred John Baguley) migrated from Macclesfield arriving in Australia on the 29th march 1883. Joining the building of the railway from Bolivia nsw to the Queensland border. He then settled at Sandy Flat ,Some 12 miles south of Tenterfield. He was one of the Pioneering families to settle there.I have a lot of information about the Baguleys which has come from the Cheshire Historical society and a few churches in England.

 

But i am having a lot of trouble trying to track my Dads side of the Family (James Edward Coutman) he was born in Liverpool in1833 exact date not known.  He came to Australia in 1855,i dont know if this is correct or not.  Maybe another year or broke the journey.His Father in England was Benjamin Coutman born 1807 i think ,Mother unknown.  I dont  know how he got to Australia, maybe he swam .But the information.i have may not be accurate.  Rob is there anyplace in Liverpool that i could contact by e mmail that would have this information.  Rob is there any Coutmans listed in the local phone book.

 

I havent had any trouble with the Baguleys there ancestral home is Macclesfield and surrounding districts.  I have a lot of information from St Marys church at Bowdon. There is an effigy of Sir William Baguley in the church plus a lot of other information.  Sir William  i have tracked back to the 13th century.

 

 But the Coutmans are very hard to track ,So Rob if you could help in this matter it would be greatly appreciated.If you require any information about the Baguleys  I can forward it by a postal address

 

Thanking You

Kindess Regards

 Athol Coutman

Liverpool Registrars building destroyed during the second world war

I am enquiring to ask if you have any record of the Liverpool Registrars building being destroyed during the second world war. My reason for asking is that I am trying to trace some family records regarding my wifes family who lived in Liverpool in the early to mid 1930's and have been totally unsucessful..It has occurred to me that if the records were destroyed during the war this would account for my inability to find them.

Mr Howard Haywood

44 Western Avenue

Prudhoe

Northumberland

The De Wolf Family

The Commanding Officer at the T.A. Barracks at Chetwynd , Oxton, Birkenhead asked me to investigate the History of their site. The most notable feature is the Victorian mansion in the centre of the base. Today this houses the Officers Mess and Cadets Training School. This large detached mansion  "Chetwynd" was lived in byone of the Laird family for a decade or so and then by the De Wolf family for a similar time at the end of the 19th century . The De Wolf family were shipowners of French Canadian extraction . They originated in  Liverpool, Nova  Scotia which is on the estuary of the River Mersey !   I would like to find out if  this family have any links with the  Wolf family of Harland and Wolf  Shipbuilders . 

I tried E Mailing  Belfast History Society in Northern Ireland but they did reply but were not able to help at all. I have got  pages and pages of info from  the Internet on the exploits of the De  Wolfs in the Pacific . I have searched for the origins of the Belfast shipyard but there is no mention of   origins  of  the names of the company founders. Have been prompted to try you by the recent question on the L.H.S.  site  about Nova Scotia in OUR Liverpool . I worked at Mann Island  myself for a  few years in the Merchant Navy Establishment Office that  was 1966/1967 .

Any suggestions from yourself or Rob or anyone else please ?

Regards

Roy Dennett
Birkenhead History Society

Grove House, Penny Lane

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have just discovered that two members of my family lived at Grove House, Penny Lane in the 19th Century - Andrew Kurtz and his cousin (and housekeeper) Julia Williams Turner.

Can you provide me with any history and/or images of the house, or direct me to someone who can assist ?

Sincerely,

Steven Turner

Melbourne, Australia

Dovedale Towers (Grove House) Penny Lane Liverpool

29 Church Street Liverpool

I  am looking for the name of a jewellers that used to be in 29 Church Street Liverpool I think it was about 1920 it was called something and lloyd I would like to know when it opened and closed or is it still open .

Posted by Anonymous

Lusitania Postcard

Hi

I have a Lusitania Postcard from 1909 adressed to a Mrs G Henderson  at no 5 Gainsboro rd off Smithdown

sent from seacom Birken head 6th August 1909.

What do you think?

Please let me know.

Kind Regards

Diana

Submarine Sunk in Liverpool Bay

Whilst recently searching through newspapers from 1939, I came by chance upon the drama of the submarine sunk in Liverpool Bay with the loss of 80 men.  

 

Maybe I missed it, but I can find no links on your website.

 

Best wishes for the future development of your excellent site.

 

David Harding 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nova Scotia Liverpool

Hello Rob,

I have been researching my family history and located a relative whose adrress was listed as Nova Scotia, Liverpool.  I can not find any reference to this area.  Can you help.

Regards

Mary

 Mann Island before the recent demolitions

St. James's Hall on Lime Street

Hello,

I'm not sure that this qualifies as a general question, but I have been searching (desperately) for a picture of St. James's Hall, on Lime Street -- preferably dating from the 1860s. Have searched the internet using every method I can think of and looked in all the Liverpool books and British theatre books I have access to.

I'll be giving a paper at a conference next Thursday so it's kind of last-minute, but if you can assist in any way I will be very grateful.

All the best,

Brian

Brian Thompson

Department of Music

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China

St. James's Hall on Lime Street

The Ocean Monarch Fire 1848

The Ocean Monarch by Liverpool Marine Painter Samuel Walters 

who is buried at Anfield Cemetary

Do you have any information concerning the fire in Liverpool area back in about Nov. 29, 1848?  William Strand (my Great Grand-father) was a seamen on the vessel "New World" and assisted saving citizens on the vessel "The Ocean Monarch".  Any assistance on finding news articles and/or pictures would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Charlotte Thurlow

Portland, Oregon USA

Nelson Memorial Springfield Park

Dear Rob

I have 2 queries

1 Do you have a photo/info.on the obelisk in Springfield Park in Knotty Ash?

2 Any ideas about a shop, currently empty, in Bold Street.  I think it is no 69,  the upper floors are painted white with blue decoratons?

Will be very grateful

Fay Samuels.

Nelson Memorial Springfield Park

Exchange Flags Memorial

Rushworth`s Request for information

Dear Sirs,

I am a direct descendant of William Rushworth who founded the family organ building business in Liverpool in 1828. A few years later the business expanded into retail musical instruments. The business developed over the years and was very much part of the cultural and artisic life of Liverpool for many years. My brothers ran the business as the fifth generation, but sadly it closed a few years ago.

It has an interesting history and I am collecting as much material as I can find, with a view to writing a book about the family company and those who ran it. I have a reasonable amount of material but am making inquiries to see if I can find more. Do you have any material which might be relevant or ideas where I might find historical papers or other information about the business in Liverpool?

Any ideas you have which might help me in my search would be very much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Jonathan Rushworth

Wykes Court Dale Street

Hello Rob

I am looking for a house called Wykes Court that I believe was situated around Dale Street in the 1780`s.

Can you help with my enquiry.

Peter Johnston

Wykes Court

John James Audubon (1785-1851) , American Painter of birds

Hi,

I am researching the life of fellow American John James Audubon  (1785-1851) who was a painter of birds.  I am particularly interested in the time he spent in Liverpool and would be grateful for any information or leads you may be able to provide.
Happy New Year

Alb Watts-Johnston
New York
NY