Year 1915 - 47 Dock Street, Belfast

[marthaannie]

Hello
My grandfather's brother William James Froggatt (ka James) 28yrs married 9th October 1915 at the Welsh Presbyterian Chapel, St Paul Street, Crewe, Cheshire to Edith Amos 24yrs of 100 Stewart Street, Crewe, Cheshire.
On the copy of the marriage certificate his address is listed as 47 Dock Street, Belfast, occupation Boilermaker.
Would anyone know if this address still exists? Do you think he would be working at the Docks? Any information would be very helpful.
Thank you.
marthaannie

[Elwyn Soutter]

Part of Dock St is still there. Whether no 47 is still standing I don’t know. It might be. A lot of that area has been redeveloped with new roads and a new entrance to the harbour estate. However nearby, no 65 is the American Bar and that was there in the early 1900s. In fact I think it was built in the mid 1850s.  Most of the houses around there were 2 up, 2 down terraced properties.

There were several shipyards in Belfast. The most famous being Harland & Wolff. The shipyards employed boilermakers to make the boilers that powered the ships. So my guess is he worked for one of the shipyards. If he was doing that in 1910 or 1911 he may even have worked on the Titanic’s boilers.

[marthaannie]

Thank you Elwyn, fascinating.  I do hope someone can confirm No. 47 is still standing.
Prior to Belfast, we believe James worked in America.
Originally he worked with his brother, my grandfather, making Railway engines in Crewe Railway Works, Crewe, Cheshire.
I will look into Harland & Wolff to see if any records are available.
Appreciated, marthaannie

[Rosinish]

Not sure if this is of any use but I know there was at least 1 Dry Dock in Belfast, info. from my aunt many yrs ago.

My aunt was born 1933 Belfast & left Ireland c 1950 if it helps with an era?

Annie

[Elwyn Soutter]

I had a look at Dock St on Google streetview and I am pretty sure that no 47 has gone. (I know the area reasonably well as I used to work there 20 years ago, and you go along Dock St for some of the ferries from Belfast). But you would need to get someone on the ground to confirm that. Link here to the American Bar and you can tour around the area using the controls. It used to be a narrow street with properties on both sides but one side (the even numbers) has been demolished altogether to widen the road. Only a handful of original places now remain on the odd numbers side.

https://www.google.com/maps/@54.6085478,-5.919744,3a,75y,250.23h,110.06t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl9mSK65aK1xcJKPP3epjeA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

They have examples of the houses in that area in the Folk Park at Cultra just outside Belfast. (Taken down brick by brick and then reassembled in the park). Worth a visit if you want to see what they looked like.

Working for the railways in Crewe makes sense because of course the steam trains used boilers too.

[marthaannie]

Hello Elwyn and Annie,
Looking at the street map it appears there is only No. 65 The American Bar still standing.
I noticed on the side of the Bar it says Sailortown, interesting.
The American Bar gives you the opportunity to email, I have asked if they can confirm if No. 47 is still there, hopefully, I will receive a reply.
Thank you both for your interest.
marthaannie

[marthaannie]

Hello Elwyn and Annie
Could I ask please if there was a census in Belfast in 1911?
I have wondered if No. 47 was a Lodging House.
With thanks,
marthaannie

[Kiltaglassan]

Could I ask please if there was a census in Belfast in 1911?

Yes there was. See: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/

KG

[aghadowey]

The 1911 census is online (free) but doesn't look like he's listed-
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/

1910 directory- Dock St.- 47. Parker, L., lodging house
http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/dcomplete1910.htm

Same site has other directories- here are just a few-
1918- http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/dcomplete1918.htm
1932- http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/dcomplete1932.htm
1943- http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/dcomplete1943.htm
1951- http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/dcomplete1951.htm

Still there in 1960 which is latest directory-
http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/dcomplete1960.htm