Simpson Street Boarding Houses

[tracyb0137]

Hi all. I'm hoping someone can help me with information about two boarding houses that were next to each other at (in the 1911 Census) 28 and 30 Simpson Street, Abercromby, Liverpool. What I would really love is a photograph of the properties. They belonged to or were run by my great-grandparents. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[daggers]

No photo from me, but Simpson Street is shown on the large scale plan "Liverpool (Wapping) 1849-64" in the reprinted OS map, Godfrey edition.
It ran NW to SE between Blundell St to Jordan St, parallel with the Dock Road (Chaloner Street at that point) near the Queen's Dock and some of its commercial buildings (warehouses etc) may have survived.
On the map there are several pubs, but most seem to have gone by 1909.
Hope this helps a little.
Daggers

[tracyb0137]

Thank you Daggers. I've seen the 1911 England Census Summary Books and they seem to be surrounded by mostly private houses, a shop with house and a warehouse. Do you know of anywhere I can look that may be able to give me more information? Thank you

[dickiesam]

Hi Tracy,
No photo from me either unfortunately. However, using Google Maps you can do a 'walk-thru' of Simpson Street. Hitler made a real shambles of that area during the WW2 Blitz. It is now 100% industrial but there are the remains of very old properties to be seen, incorporated into some developments. Fine example can be seen at the crossing of Simpson Street by Watkinson Street. Stand with your back to the premises occupied by KayBee Doors!

[MaryA]

Two suggestions, one is if you can visit the Record Office after 17th May when they reopen they may well have a photograph of the street, they have a huge collection, worth checking out.

Also is that if you are a member of Facebook, The Four Squares Group https://www.facebook.com/TheFourSquares?ref=stream have access to a large amount of photographs dating back quite some time. They appear to accept requests, obviously they won't be able to guarantee that they have what you are looking for but they do try.

[tracyb0137]

Dickiesam, thank you for that suggestion, will take a look now.

Mary A, thank you for your reply, great ideas. I'll enquire at the Records Office when they reopen, and I had no idea about Four Squares so will definitely take a look there. Thank you.

I've been told by family that apparently one of the houses, (i think only one) burnt down in quite a big fire. Do you think it may have been recorded anywhere?

Thank you all for your help so far

[MaryA]

The place to look for a major fire would be the newspapers, but again that would probably need to be done at the Record Office for that date.

[dickiesam]

I've been told by family that apparently one of the houses, (i think only one) burnt down in quite a big fire. Do you think it may have been recorded anywhere?

You need to get an approximate year for that fire. Bear in mind that area would have had many major fires during the Blitz. Knowing the fire was before 1940 would rule out the Blitz.

[tracyb0137]

Good point Dickiesam, didn't think of that. Will see if I can find out more from the ol' man