Ridley Villas, Newcastle Upon Tyne

[Carol20]

in 1851 my ancestor lived in number 1, Ridley Villas. This row of houses is now part of a street called New Bridge Street in Newcastle upon Tyne. Some of this row of villas are still there but a group in the middle have been redeveloped into student accommodation. The address for the remaining villas has changed but which would have been number 1. Google maps shows that both ends of this row of villas is still intact so I might be lucky and one has a stone insert on its wall that states Ridley Villas.
 
Hope someone can help
Carol20

[AngelFish]

Hi

I think houses were usually numbered from the centre of a place, outwards?  Not conclusive though.
If any of the row have a stone insert wouldn't you be able to see it using google street view?  Or look on street view to find if there is a business name on the building you think is the right one - then email the business very nicely asking if their address used to be no 1 Ridley?

I have an interest in number 10, from the 1910's.  I don't know the area.

[youngtug]

I don't think that the numbering of houses would start in the middle, I have never seen a numbering system of that sort. Usually start at one end and either go up one side of the street and down the other or odd numbers one side and even ones the other. Some of the modern estates seem to have a strange disjointed system though, having tried to find some in the middle of the night on call out.

[youngtug]

This may not help with the numbering problem but you may find it interesting. 
  http://www.newcastle-city-council.gov.uk/locallist.nsf/48f0f02a7e08705780256bea0035df1c/524131eca6722caf802570f200336cb1/$FILE/Ouseburn.Draft.List.pdf

and;   http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=48746307&postcount=86

[youngtug]

 That didn't work. OK, the first one you need to click on the Ouseburn file [pdf] in the list

[AngelFish]

I don't think that the numbering of houses would start in the middle, I have never seen a numbering system of that sort. Usually start at one end and either go up one side of the street and down the other or odd numbers one side and even ones the other. Some of the modern estates seem to have a strange disjointed system though, having tried to find some in the middle of the night on call out.

From the centre of Newcastle, not the middle of a row. 

[AngelFish]

That didn't work. OK, the first one you need to click on the Ouseburn file [pdf] in the list

The links are fantastic. Thank you so much.

[Michael Dixon]

 Info from Trade Directories ( mainly Ward's) and Electoral registers.

  New Bridge Street started at (right angles) Northumberland St.
Numbers started low odd .  Ridley Villas was integral part of New Bridge St.


 As an address Ridley Villas disappeared between 1920 and 1922.
 e.g. 3 Ridley Villas became 93 New Bridge Street. 9 1/2 Ridley Villas
became 107 NBS.

 In 1920 J H Bunton, commercial agent, lived at 10 Ridley Villas.

 Michael

[Carol20]

Thank you Michael
Your info from the trade directories confirms that what is now 91 New Bridge Street, with the inserted stone with the name Ridley Villas on it must have been No 1, where my ancestors lived, went bankrupt and at least one died. If 93 NBS was formally No 3. from historic maps I know there was only one side to this group of houses. I already had youngtugs link to a document about No 91 New Bridge Street (now confirmed as formally No1 Ridley Villas ) with additional info as to why the building was saved, when No 3 and unfortunately I believe N0 10 for Angelfish 's interest and several more along the street, where bulldosed for Student accommodation, it was because of its  archaeological importance.. not the house but what was underneath the house and garden.

Sorry cannot remember where I got this original from..
Ridley Villas, New Bridge Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Archaeological Assessment [Site name: RIDLEY VILLAS, NEW BRIDGE STREET, NEWCASTLE Study area: Investigation type: Desk-based District: Newcastle-upon-Tyne Monument: SIEGEWORK. Post-medieval (1540-1901), DEFENCE. Post-medieval (1540-1901) Ngr: NZ25506450 Parish: Newcastle-upon-Tyne St John Postcode: ]
Pages:
46; pls; figs; refs
Authors:
Frain T; Mabbitt J; A McMaster
Publisher:
Tyne & Wear Museums Archaeology Department
Published:
2004
Abstract:
An archaeological assessment was compiled in response to a proposal to redevelop the site. The site was potentially one of great archaeological interest, as the available evidence marked it as the location of Shieldfield Civic War Fort. This earthwork was an intrinsic part of the defences of the city during this period of great unrest and a monument class on which a relatively small amount of archaeological research had been undertaken. It was highly likely that the remains of the defensive ditches would remain within the site. Further archaeological evaluation was recommended.

Big Thanks for confirming what I had hoped for
Carol