RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Cheshire => Topic started by: Scottiedog on Monday 26 May 08 11:09 BST (UK)
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Hi All
I would like to locate any photographs of Derby Street, Birkenhead - now demolished.
For those who know Birkenhead, this was the terraced street running from Oxton Road through to Westbourne Road. Alec Green's cycle shop was on the corner with Oxton Road.
A long shot, I know, but thought it worth a punt.
Thanks for reading
Les
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I presume you have searched the internet :-\
Celia
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You could try Birkenhead Library, as they hold photos from all over. Maybe they have a photo of Derby Street.
The library wont be open for 2 weeks.
Mel
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Hi Les
have you tried contacting this site ???
http://www.sunnyfield.co.uk/birkenhead.asp
ricky
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Thanks each.
Celia - yes, I've trawled the web but no luck.
Mel - thanks for the pointer, that hadn't occurred to me (slaps forehead!)
Ricki - yes, I'd tried there. I'm afraid Derby St. wasn't very photogenic!
The thing is, I must have used Derby St. as a shortcut loads of times in my youth without ever knowing there was a strong family connection and paying it no attention. I even remember once turning into it by a few feet on my moped (I think I was too young for a proper motorbike license) to park outside Alec Green's and a young plod telling me off because it was a play street. Just how young must that copper have been for a callow 16 year old to think him young. Funny the things you remember.
Next time I'm in Birkenhead, I foresee a library visit. I've always liked that library building.
Les
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Hi Les,
You could try the Birkenhead History Society via this link. If anyone can help, I'm sure they can. http://www.birkenheadhistorysociety.org.uk/index.html
Good luck!
Trish.
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Trish
Thanks for the suggestion - I've sent them an email.
Les
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Trish - thanks again.
Your suggestion has already paid off - the guy who responded to my email was born there! He's already sent one photo with more to come.
A result! Thanks.
Les
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Hi Les
Just read your post about Derby Street. My Granddad, Harold Butler Williams was born at number 6 Derby Street in 1880. I'd love to see any photos or have any information about it
Gill
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Hi Gill
I'll PM you.
Les
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Les
I've just joined but really interested to see that you've found a photo of Derby Street, Birkenhead. Some of my family lived in the Oxton/Tranmere/Birkenhead area from 1860s to early 1900s and William & Mary Anne Dickson lived at 50 Derby Street, certainly from the 1891 census to their deaths in 1901/06 respectively.
I went to Birkenhead in search of their old home but found Derby Street demolished - even though at the time it still appeared on the street map!
Would be grateful if you would share the photo with me? Dickson relatives in Canada, in particular, would be interested to see what Derby Street looked like.
thanks
Ian
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Hi Ian
What is this - was that little street the centre of Birkenhead or something? ;D
Number 50 - that was on the posh side of the street!
PM me a real world email address so I can send you some attachments.
Les
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Hi Les
I'd be delighted to PM you with my e mail but after spending the last hour or so trying to figure out how the PM system works - looking for non existent green scrolls etc (well on my screen anyway), hovering my cursor over boxes etc - and almost giving up, I came across a post which suggests that, as a "newbie", I might not have enough posts in credit to send you a PM.
So perhaps you'll bear with me until I qualify for PM status - I've got lots of things to post/ask but need to consider most relevant boards etc. But I'll be posting over next day or so.
See quote below. Rest assured, spam or the like is not on my agenda!
Regards
Ian
Quote from: Arranroots on Tuesday 24 June 08 12:49 BST (UK)
Please note that Trystan has made some adjustments to the PM facility in order to tackle the spam we have been getting lately, so new Rootschatters with not many posts (5 or fewer I think) will be unable to PM. This prevents people from joining purely to send spam in PMs.
This position will presumably be reviewed in due course.
Kind regards, Arranroots
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OK - didn't know about that restriction - still it must be 30 years since they knocked the houses down, so a little delay now is neither here or there.
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Hello Les
I'm an artist looking to capture some of my childhood memories on canvas, and came across your post whilst 'googling' for images of Derby Street in Birkenhead. I lived at No.2 (opposite Alec Green's) from 1959, when I was born, until 1970 - my nan lived there for sometime before that. You mentioned that you received some photos from someone at the Birkenhead History Society, and I was wondering if you'd be willing to send me copies. Unfortunately, all the photos from my childhood were destroyed many years ago, and the only pictures I have of the street were given to me by the owner of Alec Green - these are images of the street being burned and demolished sometime in the 70s - I would be pleased to share them with you. I would also be interested in any photos of Oxton Road in the late 50s and 60s. I can be contacted at mark(at)mpix.co.uk Any help will be much appreciated.
Kind regards
Mark
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Les
Your mentioning Derby Street as a 'play street' brought back an old memory. Prior to this, people would use the street as a rat run from Oxton Road to Westbourne Road - the traffic wasn't as bad back then, but there had been a couple of serious accidents. One day the residents decided they had had enough, they lined up their dustbins across the street, and stood there in defiance. The police were called, and there was quite a commotion - I think it even made the Birkenhead News. It wasn't long after that, that we got our play street.
Mark