Smithfields, Sheffield 1932

[ASB74]

Hello

I have a book which has a photograph of a crowd of people on Smithfields in Sheffield. My grandparents are in the photo which is apparently 1932 and I can see a few other people that I think were my grandfather's brothers. However, I am unaware of them living there so wondered if anyone on here could help me find out who lived in that street. I have tried Sheffield Archives but they cannot help apparently and I don't live in Sheffield so can't visit in person. Many thanks in advance

[Milliepede]

What sort of crowd ie going about their business, at a celebration, waiting in a queue, any clues would help.

Is there a description under the photo?

[AlanBoyd]

In the context of Sheffield, are Smithfield and Smithfields referring to the same thing? There is a street called Smithfield that I have found, indeed it is still there today. So this post refers to that Smithfield, apologies if I am heading off in the wrong direction.

Looking at FindMyPast address search, Smithfield is not indexed for the 1939 survey, but does appear for earlier censuses.

Here are two 25 inch map views. As you can see, there is housing in Smithfield on the earlier map which has disappeared on the later map.

If the photo from 1932 shows houses is it possible that it was a pre-demolition gathering?

1921
https://maps.nls.uk/view/125651203#zoom=5.9&lat=6922&lon=15207&layers=BT

1935-1937
https://maps.nls.uk/view/125651206#zoom=6.2&lat=6846&lon=15492&layers=BT

[MollyC]

Sheffield Local Studies Library has directories for that period, and I think they have copies of electoral registers on the open shelves, although the main collection is with Archives.  The problem is they have a shared email address. Try re-enquiring, specifically about what is available in Local Studies.

Mention the reference to your book.  Is the photo in Picture Sheffield?  They would normally be interested in identifying individuals shown on photos.

You could also try http://www.sheffieldindexers.com/ on their Message Forum.

[ASB74]

What sort of crowd ie going about their business, at a celebration, waiting in a queue, any clues would help.

Is there a description under the photo?

It just says 1932 smithfields - hopefully it's accurate!

[ASB74]

In the context of Sheffield, are Smithfield and Smithfields referring to the same thing? There is a street called Smithfield that I have found, indeed it is still there today. So this post refers to that Smithfield, apologies if I am heading off in the wrong direction.

Looking at FindMyPast address search, Smithfield is not indexed for the 1939 survey, but does appear for earlier censuses.

Here are two 25 inch map views. As you can see, there is housing in Smithfield on the earlier map which has disappeared on the later map.

If the photo from 1932 shows houses is it possible that it was a pre-demolition gathering?

1921
https://maps.nls.uk/view/125651203#zoom=5.9&lat=6922&lon=15207&layers=BT

1935-1937
https://maps.nls.uk/view/125651206#zoom=6.2&lat=6846&lon=15492&layers=BT

I never thought of that. I will try and find out the history of the street - see when the houses were demolished. What is the confusing aspect for me though is, my grandparents lived at Heeley, Albert Terrace in the 1930s. They didn't marry until December 1932. So I am now wondering if the date in the book is wrong??

[MollyC]

The author of the book was a former City Archivist. Is there a list of sources inside?  Ask Local Studies about it.
You tend to get groups of people who came out to be photographed when official surveys were being made prior to demolition, but not such a large and organised group, and the photos would be focused on the defective buildings, not the street.  This looks more like an organised event, possibly as AlanBoyd suggests, a farewell gathering.

[MollyC]

Now I've found the photo: Picture Sheffield ref s19505
https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?action=zoom&keywords=s19505&continueUrl=ZnJvbnRlbmQucGhwP2FjdGlvbj1zZWFyY2g=
which has a reference to page 119 in your book.

And another similar photo: ref s19360
https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?action=zoom&keywords=s19360&continueUrl=ZnJvbnRlbmQucGhwP2FjdGlvbj1zZWFyY2g=

[AlanBoyd]

If you go to the 1921 map that I linked, imagine standing in Smithfeld looking north, you will see, at the end of the street the Allen Street Sunday Scholl as mentioned in the descriptions for the photos linked by MollyC.