Hi Lyn
That is very interesting. I have my GGGGrandfather Robert Crothers listed in Wards Directory 1850 as a bookseller in Denton Chare, then as newsagent in Denton Chare in Wards Directory 1851, then Roberts son Isaac Crowther (my GGGrandfather) as newsagent in Denton Chare in Wards Directory 1853, then Isaac as newsagent at 4 Denton Chare in Wards Directory 1855, and finally Isaac as Grocer & c and newsagent at 4 Denton Chare in Wards Directory 1859-60. I've always assumed Robert and Isaac were at 4 Denton Chare throughout this period of 1850 to 1860. Maybe they were at another house in Denton Chare up to 1855 but they are definitely listed as being at No 4 in 1855. I don't know exactly when the 1855 Wards Directory would be printed or even when the information would be collected and compiled but I assume it would be before July 1855. Does that mean that more than one family lived at No 4 or could your Houlihan ancestor have been related to my Crowthers/Crothers? I have never heard of a Houlihan before but nothing would surprise me about this family. Robert had very complicated relationships having children with his wife Elizabeth who died in 1848 and also with his 'mistress' Mary ? who died 1858 at 4 Denton Chare. I wonder if Mary's surname was Houlihan? I would be very interested if you could provide more information relating to your GGrandfather.
regards
Peter