York Street - Belfast

[boosh]

Hello

I having been looking in to a family called Gordon who were living in Belfast from the 1850s.   I have established that they were originally from Dumfries.  Father James and son Charles Duncan Gordon were Professors of music and dance.  I have looked at the street directories and they ran their businesses from York Street. 

So here’s my question.  Can anyone tell me what the area in and around York Street would have been like in Victorian times? 

By the by, I’m not sure if the title ‘professor’ was genuine or one that they bestowed upon themselves as a marketing ploy to get a ‘better class’ of client.  In 1837, James was in Dumfries and he was a ‘teacher of dancing’.   Am I being too cynical? 

With thanks

Pip

[helenar]

Hi

This might be your Charles Duncan Gordon and son on the 1911 census

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/St__Anne_s_Ward/Milner_Street/160855/

If you have not seen the census before open form A to obtain copy of original

Also try the site below they have a birth record

Charles Duncan Gordon born 1880 father is James

http://www.ancestryireland.com/

[boosh]

Hi Helenar

Many thanks for your input and the links.  The Charles Duncan in the 1911 census isn't the one from York Street, he died in 1890 and James, his father died in 1874.  I wonder if he was a grandson - something else to persue.

Thank you again.

Pip

[maryderry]

found these two marriages.


Record Type Civil Marriage
Date of Marriage 16 Jun 1849
Groom Name charles duncan GORDON
Bride Name mary ann MCCORD
Church Belfast Civil Registrars Office
Parish Shankill
Civil District Belfast
County Antrim


Record Type Civil Marriage
Date of Marriage 10 May 1904
Groom Name charles duncan GORDON
Bride Name annie CROTHERS
Church Saint Johns Laganbank Church of Ireland
Parish Knockbreda
Civil District Belfast
County Antrim


                                                 regards mary.

[boosh]

Mary, you're very kind to have to located/posted this information.  I also received your pm  .  This is going to help a lot. 

I'm much obliged.

Regards

Pip

[pentio]

Pip

I have posted three photographs of the area for you, the first photo is of York Street, the second one is York street Mill, the third one is Portland Street which was off York Street. The photos are from the early 1930's, they will give you some idea of what the area looked like.

My mother worked in Gallaghers cigarette factory in York Street in the 1940's as did most of the woman from the area.

[boosh]

Pentio

Thank you so very much for the images - they help a lot.

The first thing that comes to mind is how wide York Street is!  You'd need a quick trot to cross that without coming a cropper  .  (I live in Lincoln, the streets are a fraction of the size to that one.)

Thanks again.

Pip

[ShaunJ]

It was a mix of residential, commercial and industrial.

You've probably seen the 1850 street directory on Lennon Wylie. http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/1852streetsmtoz.htm#Y

There was an iron foundry  (John Rowan & Sons) and the proprietor's home was also in York Street. There were many shops and a market.

The Belfast and Ballymena Railway opened its line from York Street in 1848, and had its locomotive and carriage construction works there.  My great-great-grandather was overseer at the carriage works from about 1877.

[boosh]

Hi ShaunJ - I've just got in from work, hence the delay in replying to you. 

I had visited the 1850 directory; and I've just sat here and slapped my forehead for not engaging my brain!  By looking down the list at the other residents I would have gleaned more information myself.  (Tut!)  I've just revisited it, and when I've got more time I'll go back to the later directories to see if there were any changes to the area - business-wise.

The information is certainly helping me build a picture in my mind - how accurate it is I'm not sure.  I'm thinking busy, a tad noisy, and perhaps as time passed 'sooted' buildings from the industry based there. 

It's times like this I wish time travel were possible! 

Thanks for your input.

Regards

Pip