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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: heathers on Monday 07 March 22 18:10 GMT (UK)

Title: Melbourne Directories ?
Post by: heathers on Monday 07 March 22 18:10 GMT (UK)
Does anyone have access to directories for Melbourne from about 1865 to 1880 ?
I am doing a One Name Study on the Hors(e)man surname and
have a Robert Horsman aged 75 who died in Melbourne in 1880. His death certificate says he was an unmarried  ‘Gentleman’ and was born in London;  parents and time in Melbourne – unknown.
Does he appear in any directories with an occupation which may give me a clue as to who he may be.
All I can find on Trove are notices about his death.

Thanks

Sue
Title: Re: Melbourne Directories ?
Post by: phenolphthalein on Tuesday 08 March 22 01:26 GMT (UK)
Hi
The State Library of Victoria had shelves and shelves of them in the La Trobe library in the 1980s. I believe they may have been transferred to microfilm or even on line.  I am sure either the State Library f Victoria or the Genealogical Society of Victoria would have copies along with places such as Kew municipal Library, Melbourne University, Vic state Archives and many regional libraries and interstate State Libraries.

A look at the catalogue of the SLV on-line should show its holdings. I think there were several different publishers including "Sands and McDougal".  Remember some current Melbourne Suburbs may have counted as country back when. Parramatta in Sydney counted as country for a long time.
If the directories are electronic, the catalogue will tell you how to access. The librarians at the genealogical room at the SLV were always helpful in person and on the phone and I assume that they now have an internet presence of some kind.

I believe the SLV has reopened now that covid numbers are declining.

There my even be early electoral rolls of businessmen and male landholders in that period for both State and Municipal elections.

Remember too to search for him using the advanced search in the newspapers held in the National Library of Australia via Trove which is free.
Also see if the Victoria State Archives hold anything and if the name appears in the catalogue of the Genealogical Society of Victoria.

Regards
pH
Title: Re: Melbourne Directories ?
Post by: TreeSpirit on Tuesday 08 March 22 02:22 GMT (UK)
Robert Horsman doesn’t seem to have been the primary resident of a Melbourne location.
Re his place of death: A Henry Lytton is listed for 96 Latrobe street in 1880/1

There is a Robert Horsman who has a timber license in the Macleay River district in 1869, so maybe NSW is where you should look a bit more?
See 11 Jun 1869 NSW Gazette: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12674375
Title: Re: Melbourne Directories ?
Post by: Jang on Tuesday 08 March 22 04:13 GMT (UK)
There's a Rob Horsman passenger on the "Kembla" departing Brisbane and arriving in Sydney on 22 March 1862

Title: Re: Melbourne Directories ?
Post by: heathers on Tuesday 08 March 22 09:10 GMT (UK)
Many thanks for all your suggestions.  I'll follow them up.

Sue
Title: Re: Melbourne Directories ?
Post by: maddys52 on Tuesday 08 March 22 10:21 GMT (UK)
The Sands and McDougall directories are available on line
https://prov.vic.gov.au/about-us/our-blog/sands-and-mcdougall-directories-online


Modified to add:
https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/search-discover/family-history-tools-resources
Unfortunately the link to the Sands and McDougall directories is broken  ::) Maybe contact the Library.
Title: Re: Melbourne Directories ?
Post by: Aussie1947 on Friday 25 March 22 11:27 GMT (UK)

Hi, The address 96 Latrobe St East in November 1885 was a Lodging House run by a Mrs LITTON, maybe it was also a Lodging House in 1880.

Regards
Gerry
Title: Re: Melbourne Directories ?
Post by: heathers on Friday 25 March 22 13:03 GMT (UK)
Interesting - it would make sense for a single chap of his age to live in a lodging house

Sue
Title: Re: Melbourne Directories ?
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 26 March 22 06:39 GMT (UK)
What was HORSMAN's cause of death?
Who was the informant?

Someone placed his death notice several times. ???

The readings I am finding about Mrs Agnes and Mr Henry LITTON/LYTTON do not paint a picture of a well-run boarding house for gentlemen at 96 Latrobe Street. :(

Both spellings seem to be used.

In 1885 Litton lived in Latrobe  street east
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197030532

A description of the same 1885 event as above. It mentions the wife keeps a lodging house
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221180729

Agnes Litton charged disorderly house 1888
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/58464058

Agnes Lytton in trouble and accusations by her husband 1886
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190846527

Sue
Title: Re: Melbourne Directories ?
Post by: heathers on Saturday 02 April 22 16:25 BST (UK)
Apologies for delay in replying.

Cause of death was Renal Failure  / Uramic Poisoning

Informant was a William J Kenn /?Renn  Assistant Undertaker at Funeral Director.

Maybe the announcement was input to papers a few times in the hope of finding a relative

Sue