Liverpool - trade directories

[linda51]

Are there any trade directories for Liverpool around 1880/1881? I'm searching for an eye doctor or specialist and have an idea his name is Dighton, or something similar, with a housekeeper by the name of McAlister. Would probably be living somewhere around Upper Pitt Street.

[ShaunJ]

Had a look in 1881 Kellys but couldn't see any doctors named Dighton or Deighton. No doctors in Upper Pitt Street.

However - there was a Dr Charles Allen Adair Dighton at 49 Catherine Street in 1913 per the Medical Register for that year. He qualified in 1907 so would not have been around in 1881.

[Rosemarie]

Have you tried this site? It's a Leicester University project site and contains searchable directories for many areas:

http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/ud/usingdir4.asp

Marie

[linda51]

Thanks for the replies. Historical directories don't have anything covering Liverpool at that time.

I've followed up Dr Dighton and his father, but haven't found them in Liverpool although they must have had some connection if found in Catherine St in 1913.
I'd like to place them in Liverpool around 1880....any ideas?

[ShaunJ]

Looking at the 1881 census, Allen A. Dighton (Charles' father) is a 19 year old med student from Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire, in lodgings in Knightsbridge.

By 1891 Allen Adair Dighton is a surgeon in Cheltenham, with wife Matilda ( born in Australia) and 3 sons all born Cheltenham, including 6 year old Charles. He's still in Cheltenham in 1901, and in 1913 (per the Medical register).

Young Charles seems to have made quite a name for himself as a medical man and a sports journalist see http://www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/126.html and  http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40001118/; and see the ad for his book "My Sporting Life" (1934) on this site http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:e8prb2K7_kQJ:www.ilab.org/services/catalogues.php%3Fmembernr%3D1497%26catnr%3D2454%26pg%3D5%26br%3D+adair+Dighton+liverpool&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=uk

One of the medical sites states that he was born in Liverpool but that appears to be incorrect.

His brother Leslie was killed in action in 1917 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~sooty/nzefrohD.html

[linda51]

Thanks for that. At the moment I'm concentrating more on Allen Adair Dighton and trying to find out something of his background. I'd like to prove or otherwise that he was the father of a child born to a domestic servant living in or around 15 Upper Pitt St, Liverpool in January 1881. The child was raised by a foster mother in Birkenhead, but visited by top hatted, carriage driven gent who came bearing gifts...and cash. Of the mother, Matilda Reynolds, and baby there is no sign in the 1881 census.

[ShaunJ]

Aah - I see. It looks like he married a Matilda Harris in Leighton Buzzard in 1884 so that's not the Matilda you are looking for.

There is nothing recorded for 15 Upper Pitt St in 1881 Kelly's. Numbers 11 and 13 are the Sea Boys' Home. Then there is Great George Square, then number 21 which is a lodging house.

In the 1881 census there's nothing recorded for 15 Upper Pitt St. It should be between 13 and 17 but it's not: RG12/2911 folio 52 page 29.

Can you post the child's given name ?

[ShaunJ]

There is a photograph of Allen Adair Dighton in Dighton family papers held by Gloucestershire record office http://www.a2a.org.uk/search/records.asp?cat=040-d23a&cid=1-12

[linda51]

The childs name is Mary Ellen Reynolds. In 1891 she's in Birkenhead with Bernice S(o)utherland.

I found 15 Upper Pitt St on the 1881:
RG11/3615/5
Richard? Owen, 31; Annie Owen, 33 + son aged 1 day.

That was the address on the birth certificate, but doubt it housed Dr Dighton with housekeeper Mrs MacAlister and Servant Matilda Reynolds. I have found nothing on Matilda Reynolds!!