Electoral List descriptions query

[dermo]

I have been looking through the electoral lists on the Dublin Heritage site.  In those for the 1908-1915 period, the accommodation of householders in tenement buildings is described.  Some of these descriptions are straightforward, e.g. "1st floor front and back room".  In a number of cases, however, I found "two pair back room".  I'm pretty sure this does not mean that the person in question occupied four rooms.  I have a vague recollection of reading that the "two pair" part of the description might refer to the number of flights of stairs leading to the room.  Can anyone shed light?

[dermo]

Problem solved. I did what I should have done earlier, i.e. I googled the phrase, and as I vaguely recollected "two pair" refers to flights of stairs. A "two pair back room" is, therefore, a second floor back room. Apparently the phrase occurs on a number of occasions in Dickens. You live and learn.

[turvey]

Can anyone explain what is the criteria for being on the electoral role in 1901 please. One grandfather is on the electoral role and one isn't.  Both are Dublin born and bred and lived in the tenements doing labouring jobs. Any info would be appreciated.

[turvey]

Sorry.  Meant 1908 electoral role!

[dathai]

I think its 21 yrs old for men.possibly 31 for women and anyone i suppose paying a rent to a landlord.
Have you tried searching by  address only that he may have had on 1901 census in case of mispelling of his name or any wife or grown up children.
There is also the workhouse records,Tara a researcher on here found lots of people i had being researching who were in and out of the workhouse between 1901 and 1911, dont let the workhouse fool you into thinking its only for destitute people its also for sick people who would have had a  proper address, some were only in for a few days or weeks with rheumatism or heart problems.
Oh and there is always the prison register.

[taramcdsmall]

Hi Turvey

Those early electoral rolls confuse me too and I meant to bring the subject up myself.

I know that's what they are called but I don't think that's what they are.

They strike me as more like a rental list or something similar, like a modern day Griffiths Valuation.

I've pretty much only ever found heads of household for families on my tree.

I'm interested if someone can throw light on this subject too.

Tara

[hallmark]

http://databases.dublincity.ie/burgesses/about.php

[taramcdsmall]

If you look at the link that Hallmark kindly posted I think the issue is with ~

(Sorry I can't get the relevant bits that I am interested in to copy and paste)

'having to hold an additional qualification'

~ one of these was Inhabitant Householder

I am presuming this is where my 'head of household' theory comes into play.

I take it that once again, the head of household paying the rent means that in most cases it was only the man whom had the additional qualification and hence could vote.

Tara

[hallmark]

....not if he/she had 2 households! He/she got 1 vote for where he/she was resident!