The Liver Building, Liverpool

[skyblueFF]

It is said in our family that before she married in 1923, my grandmother worked in the Liver Building in Liverpool. She actually lived in Oxton, Birkenhead.
On her marriage cert. there is just a dash under rank or profession.
 Can anyone tell me what was the business there at that time?
Would she have travelled on the ferry every day?
Michael

[ignz]

Michael
The Liver Building was the purpose-built Head Office of the Royal Liver Assurance company - essentially an organization set up to offer life assurance/insurance. It was also one of (if not *the* ?) first building in the world of its size to be be constructed using re-inforced concrete - not that it looks like it !
As to the profession of your ancestor, the building probably housed > a thousand staff so the possibilities are the obvious associated with assurance/insurance through all the support staff neede to run an organization of that size.
And in the early 20th century the Mersey ferry was the most likely means of transport from over the river.
And despite the ugly new blocks that have sprung up nearby, the Liverpool waterfront remains one of the most awe-inspring  in the world (but I would say that being a "native"  ).

cheers!

Ian

[redjed1]

Hi
As Ian says, the Liver Building has always been full of offices and employs many people, I think mainly in insurance companies.

As for travelling on the ferry, it's a possibility (especially in nice weather) but I think Oxton is near the railway system on the Wirral, a rail tunnel to Liverpool was opened in the 1890's . She may have got the train under the Mersey and got off at James St station, not far from the Liver Building.

John

[skyblueFF]

Many thanks for those replies. It all helps to build up a picture of her life. I think she was probably a typist.

Michael

[Jean McGurn]

There are also Shipping Offices. seem to remember Brocklebank Line, Furness Withy Line and I think the Bibby Line had offices there, or did in the 1960's

Jean

[cassandra123]

The Liver Buildings were built for the Royal Liver Insurance Company.

during WW2 there were some American Forces based there. 

The building next door to the Liver Building was the Cunard Building and the third one of The Mersey Docks & Harbour Board

Across  The Strand from these three buildings was the Offices of the White Star Line  where Bruce Ismay (Titantic) had his offices.

The Liver Buildings were completed in about 1911 , and was the first building of its size built from concrete and steel construction.

[Lesanne]

Visited Liverpool last week.... Friendly folks, helpful in the RO. Looking forward to going back, if you need a look up Michael.

BTW.. Does anyone know the history behind the two birds 

Here's a photo of one ontop the Liver building.

[Sylviaann]

Oh I remember watching the Liver Birds on TV

This has more info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Liver_Building

Sylviaann

[skyblueFF]

Many thanks for these recent replies. I have very strong family connections with Liverpool but I have never been there. I feel a visit coming on in the near future.
Michael