Waterloo Shops - Blyth

[Phodgetts]

The image I have is 'dated' 1928. There is no evidence to support the date, and yes, in the Blyth book it is dated circa 1920. So lots of room for maneuvering. More research needed.

I am still curious about William Laird of Blyth. He and his wife were both born Scotland.

1891 census age 34, he was living with his family at 12 Crofton Terrace, Blyth. His occupation was Miner, and his family consisted of wife Mary age 27, daughter Janet age 9, Elizabeth age 6, Charles age 4 and Margaret age 1.

1901 census of the same family gives the following information, living at 9 Richard Street, Cowpen, William age 43 and a General Dealer (Shop) which I think is possibly the shop on Bowes Street. His wife Mary age 37, Elizabeth age 16, Margaret age 11, William age 8, Alexander age 5, John age 2 and a one month old baby.


If the above William and your Alex senior were brothers, that might be how the shop was established in 1890. Perhaps something happened that brought Alex back from the sea to keep the shop and it's businesses going. Speculation I know, but plausible, and in need of further investigation. I hope your research provides answers. Please keep us informed.

P

[c-side]

Well, they don't appear in Kelly's Directory for 1894.  I've tried to look at Wards for 1910 but my computer and the website concerned are not co-operating with each other 

Christine

[Phodgetts]

I spent ages last night going through the 1891 census and checking each of the buildings on Bowes Street for the shop. Laird's as a Pawn Broker's or General Dealer's was not there in 1891! However, having a lamp outside their shop in later years with a business established date of 1890 only means that the business was established in that year, but not necessarily at that location by anyone with the name Laird. Perhaps he bought the business which was already a 'going concern' from someone in the town or a town nearby and relocated it to Blyth. Lots of possibilities.

P

[Battie99]

Thankyou Philip, it certainly is time consuming.

I am pretty convinced he must have bought a going concern when his wife died as he was a marine engineer in 1901. His wife died in 1906 and he applies for a pawnbrokers licence in 1907. 

Also Alex jnr was born in Jarrow in 1895.

So no shop in Blyth in 1890. He was strangely married in Cardiff in 1894???  And the family have photos from a Swansea photographer, the suggestion he was in Wales prior to Jarrow (maybeish)

Xx

[Battie99]

Thank you Christine. Perhaps we are looking for a jewellers not called Lairds.

I was surprised not to find anything at company house either, at least under Laird or Alexander Laird.

X

[Battie99]

Philip, when you looked at the 1891 census, did you find any other jewellers in Bowes Street? X

[Phodgetts]

No, no Jeweller.

Sorry.

P

[Michael Dixon]

Snippets from directories.............

KELLY'S 1921
1921 Laird, Alexander and Co, Pawnbroker,
Queen St, Amble

KELLYs 1938
Lairds, Alexander and Co, Drapers,
6 8 10 Bowes St.

Newcastle area telephone directory 1951
Captn Laird, A  M.C., 7 Winchester Ave, Blyth, 572

-ditto-
Lairds, jwlrs, drprs, Bowesst, Blyth 132

Michael,

[Phodgetts]

Another dimension to Alex Laird was the school he went to which was also on Bowes Street, and you can see pictures of it in this thread, from thread page 22, reply no. 197 asking about the building which stood on the site of the Argos shop. There are aerial photos and street pictures too that will be of interest to you in filling out some of Alex's life details. The building was originally the National School, and then was used as St Mary's Church Hall.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=488089.189

Enjoy

P