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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Derry (Londonderry) => Topic started by: Jamez on Sunday 18 May 14 15:58 BST (UK)

Title: McIlwain`s Canadian House/Londonderry
Post by: Jamez on Sunday 18 May 14 15:58 BST (UK)
Has anyone have a photograph of this Hotel which may have been in the John Street or Foyle Street area of the City.  A relative of mine stayed there in October 1906 just prior to sailing to the USA.  I would like to try an find any photos of the Hotel or surrounding area.  I have looked at the Street Directory online for 1900 and it lists a G McIlwaine, John Street, Londonderry as a Hotel Proprietor.

James
Title: Re: McIlwain`s Canadian House/Londonderry
Post by: scotmum on Sunday 18 May 14 16:17 BST (UK)
There was a Criterion Hotel on Foyle Street c1900 - are you certain the one you are after had 'Canadian' in the title?
Title: Re: McIlwain`s Canadian House/Londonderry
Post by: scotmum on Sunday 18 May 14 16:21 BST (UK)
Ah, it seems there was a Canadian Hotel on John Street:

http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/PT190710.htm

and at 1900, a Kathleen McIlwaine, female and single,  was  the Hotel Keeper:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Londonderry/Londonderry_No__3_Urban/John_Street/600300/


The House and Building return form suggests it had 32 rooms and lists Catherine McIlwaine - with the 'C' written in such a way it could read as 'G'.

You could email the library in Londonderry and ask if they have any old pictures of John Street c1900. It was close to the river, so no doubt would have been well used by folks before heading to America. The street was fairly short and consisted mainly of shops and small factories. Meantime, have a look through:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/librariesni/sets/72157632817125623/ and in particular:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/librariesni/8495082916/in/set-72157632817125623
Title: Re: McIlwain`s Canadian House/Londonderry
Post by: Jamez on Tuesday 20 May 14 10:58 BST (UK)
Thank you Scotmum for your very helpful reply and the various links.  All very much appreciated.

I have posted up the postcard with the Canadian House cachet in the off chance that someone has a similar card.  The card was posted in Londonderry on the 13 Oct? 1906.  The family had been in the States in 1904 hence the referrence to "same place as before".  I was able to find their sailing details in 1904 on the Ellis Island website.
They sailed on the SS Astoria on the 1st July 1904. Still looking for the 1906 sailing.  I presume the steamer operated out of Moville. 

James