where is urban number 7

[runningbear]

i have two births in belfast, the first is GREENCASTLE urban number 7, the other is WHITEABBEY urban number 7? can anyone help explain these urban numbers? do they take in a few streets in a area? has anyone else come across this urban number thing?

[pentio]

Hi Joe

I will try to explain this urban number thing........firstly urban districts were created by the local government (Ireland) act of 1898......this was based on a system of district councils which was introduced in England a few years earlier

the term urban relating to a city but in more general terms it signifies relating to population and housing located within a particular area and in your case urban no 7 Greencastle and Whiteabbey.......these are areas on the outskirts of Belfast about five or six miles from the city.......each area of Belfast was given an urban number relating to that particular area........for example.... i was born in North Belfast and on my birth certificate it says Belfast urban number 10 ......so in your case urban 7 was the number given to Greencastle...Whiteabbey.

i hope this helps you.


best wishes

pentio.

[goggy]

AND!
Just for good measure,they could have recently been re-organised into a different area,or area's!
Don't lose hope though,there is an explanation of it all,somewhere 'close'!!
                         Goggy.

[audrey]

Thanks for clearing that up I often come across these numbers and wondered what they refer to ,cant tell you the number of times i have been asked that ,something else I have learned

audrey

[runningbear]

hi pentio, wonderful stuff my friend, but my first urban number seven appears in whiteabbey 1885! not 1898 under the new housing act, the next appears in greencastle 1893, still not under the new housing act, it all gets a little confusing to someone from outwith of belfast, no doubt it all makes sense, i was rather hoping that the urban number took in a few streets, which in turn could help determine the street where ancestors where born, looking at the map of belfast area, greencastle is a big place and so is whiteabbey, what year did the urban numbers disappear from birthlines?

[runningbear]

hi audrey, it good to try and find things out, it gives you a better understanding of how things worked back in the 1890's

[runningbear]

hi goggy, let's hope it does not get all too complecated!!!!!!, it enough to drive you round the bend!!! only kidding pal, some wonderful people on this website and no doubt there will be an answer, pentio has explained a great deal already

[pentio]

Hi Joe

I think the urban numbers disappeared from birthlines about 1973......i will check it out and get back to you in the next couple of days.

pentio.

[runningbear]

as late as that my friend? how do people work out what street they were born? this is a good topic, as there seems to be a great interest, in solving the great mystery behind urban numbers