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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: nzams on Saturday 17 May 14 13:29 BST (UK)

Title: Phrase definition please
Post by: nzams on Saturday 17 May 14 13:29 BST (UK)
Hello all,

I have searched online but have been unable to find the definition for the following phrase;

'in the Rackett'

Ref Birth - Date; 10 Nov 1755 / Name; George son of Thomas Stephenson in the Rackett / Location; St Michael le Belfry, Yorkshire, England.

It is mentioned quite a few times with other people as well within the parish records.

Many thanks
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: DaveKe on Saturday 17 May 14 13:33 BST (UK)
Could it be "Rocket" ?   Stephenson's Rocket is quite famous.   Maybe it is some kind of irony.
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: DaveKe on Saturday 17 May 14 13:40 BST (UK)
Actually,  if it was used in reference to other people as well,   you will find that it refered to a particular street or precinct within the town or parish.   The Rackett is probably around the corner from the Shambles, the Maze or the Warren.     This church is in the middle of the old town of York.
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: Geoff-E on Saturday 17 May 14 13:45 BST (UK)
Could it be "Rocket" ?   Stephenson's Rocket is quite famous.   Maybe it is some kind of irony.

It wasn't very famous at all; it wasn't built till 70odd years later.
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: nzams on Saturday 17 May 14 13:56 BST (UK)
Actually,  if it was used in reference to other people as well,   you will find that it refered to a particular street or precinct within the town or parish.   The Rackett is probably around the corner from the Shambles, the Maze or the Warren.     This church is in the middle of the old town of York.

This seems to make sense and is probably very much a local saying for the location.  I did a little more search with your help and found a reference online to the York Minster Archives as follows;

*** a lease of the north part of tenement in Petergate (in the parish of St Michael-le-Belfrey), known as the 'Old Rackett',***

It would be nice to find a map of some description so it is worth a visit to the Borthwick Institute at some stage in the future.

Thanks again for your help.

Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: DaveKe on Saturday 17 May 14 14:04 BST (UK)
There are a bunch of old maps of York online.

The first half-dozen I looked at wanted 11 pounds to look at more closely.   If you persist with that,  you might find a free one.
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: nzams on Saturday 17 May 14 14:12 BST (UK)
There are a bunch of old maps of York online.

The first half-dozen I looked at wanted 11 pounds to look at more closely.   If you persist with that,  you might find a free one.

Will do thanks ..... George's father was a staymaker so the family probably leased some of the building mentioned above or a building in the area for work and living .....
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: DaveKe on Saturday 17 May 14 14:23 BST (UK)
http://maps.nls.uk/view/100945706

This one is quite nice but I don't see any Rackett on it.

http://maps.nls.uk/view/102344815

This one is also quite nice,    and shows a lot of detached portions of sT Michael the Belfry parish,  which might be relevant.  But no racket.
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: stanmapstone on Saturday 17 May 14 14:48 BST (UK)
The description of the enumeration district in the 1841 census is;
That part of the Parish of St Michael le Belfrey, commencing in Low Petersgate with and including the house occupied by Mr Arrowsmith on one side and the Reverend Mr Butler on the other side including the Rackets Grape Lane, and the East side of Stonegate to and including the house occupied by Mr Caul Engraver.
You can see the location on the Town Plans at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html?coords=460317,452076
The Rackets are not shown.


Stan
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: stanmapstone on Saturday 17 May 14 14:55 BST (UK)
The Rackets start at HO107 Piece 1355 book 5 folio 6 page 3

Stan
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: nzams on Saturday 17 May 14 15:31 BST (UK)
The Rackets start at HO107 Piece 1355 book 5 folio 6 page 3

Stan

Hi Stan,

Sorry if I missed something but where is & what document were you referring to above?

Aaron
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: stanmapstone on Saturday 17 May 14 15:44 BST (UK)
The description of the enumeration district in the 1841 census is;

I am referring to the 1841 Census. A full reference number for a record in the 1841 census includes the PRO class number (HO 107), the piece number, the book number, the folio number and the page number.

Stan
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: stanmapstone on Saturday 17 May 14 18:49 BST (UK)
Later censuses confirm that the Rackets, Old & New were on Petersgate between Stonegate and Grape Lane.

Stan
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: DaveKe on Sunday 18 May 14 08:03 BST (UK)
I noticed that Grape Lane on the maps I was looking at yesterday.  It is very near the church that you mentioned.

I also recalled reading somewhere else that it used to be called something else.
Title: Re: Phrase definition please
Post by: stanmapstone on Sunday 18 May 14 13:53 BST (UK)
I also recalled reading somewhere else that it used to be called something else.

See http://www.yorkhistory.org.uk/node/26

Stan