Searching by address - is this possible?

[Olde Crone]

I spotted something in a shop window today which has made me question part of my research.

Family legend was that my grandmother's father was a "Master Jeweller". I found the family on census and he was in fact a Pawnbroker's shopman, hahaha.

However, today, I was looking at secondhand jewellery in a shop window and a very nice brooch in an original box which said "Whittaker the Jeweller, of 1440(?) Manchester Rd, Oldham, Lancs, Established 1860" (the street number may not be exactly accurate but it was definitely in the 1000s).

My grandmother Whittaker was born and bred in Oldham and I wonder if Whittakers the Jeweller was in fact a relative after all.

If someone is able to find anything easily with this information, in 1861 or onwards, I would be thrilled, but please don't bother if it's a task because I know there are hundreds of Whittakers in the area.

Thanks!

OC

[kiterunner]

The 1861 census for Manchester Road, Oldham, doesn't seem to have house numbers but hopefully there won't be too many Whittakers there. Will see if I can spot them.

[Joy Dean]

I don't know how to search by address, but you are right there are a lot in Oldham :)
I could look for your grandmother if that would help.

[Phoenix]

In theory, yes.

In practice, microfilm would be a great deal faster. The address searches give the schedule rather than street numbers, so you have to dive in and then discard.

[Olde Crone]

Thanks Kate and Joy!

My grandmother wasn't born till 1891 and I have her on census, thanks Joy. It's just that I would like to know who Whittaker the Jewellers was (were?) because it has also just dawned on me that my great grandfather the Pawnbroker's shopman might have actually been working for Whittaker's the Jewellers, if that makes sense!

It's probably just coincidence but I would like to nail it down just in case I've missed something. I have always thought it a BIT odd that he was in the jewellery trade (as a pawnbroker,lol) when every other Whittaker in the family for generations were artists or painters and decorators.

OC

[kiterunner]

I can't find anything at the moment, sorry. If only there was a way of searching on both name and address at the same time! You can do this on the 1881 but it doesn't seem to be available on the 1861 or 1871.

[Olde Crone]

Thankyou for trying, Kate. I suppose it is possible also that the address was shop premises and no one actually lived there.

OC

[borobabs]

Dont you need to look in that trade directory book thing sorry forgot what its called

[Phoenix]

There's a Henry Whittaker at the Bells Ring, Manchester St in 1861 - no number given.

[kiterunner]

Dont you need to look in that trade directory book thing sorry forgot what its called

Historical Directories - but they don't seem to have Oldham that far back.

[Phoenix]

James a butcher: RG09 piece 3015 folio 7 page 9

[Phoenix]

Henley Whittaker at the Wellington Arms with sons who are iron mechanics.

[kiterunner]

Okay, trying the 1881, there is a Thomas Whittaker age 50 at 14 Manchester St, occupation watchmaker. Birthplace Oldham. Manchester Street is a continuation of Manchester Road. It doesn't look as though Manchester Road goes up to the 1000's.

[kiterunner]

He is also at 14 Manchester Street in 1871, occupation watch maker.

[kiterunner]

Googling around comes up with something from Greenhill Grammar School in 1954 saying "Whittakers the leading jewellers 12-14 Manchester St", (perhaps a magazine with adverts?) but I can't find the entry when the PDF loads. Anyway, I reckon you saw 12-14 and thought it was 1214?

[borobabs]

Dont think thats ones Im thinking off Kate but shame
Dam what are they called ????????????????????????????????????????

[borobabs]

Kellys >:::::::

[Merry]

I guess this is his son:

Marriage: 17 Jan 1883 St Mary the Virgin, Prestwich, Lancs.
John Thomas Whittaker - 25 Watch Maker Bachelor of 14 Manchester Street, Oldham
Mary Collinson - 25 Spinster of 5 Buck Street, Oldham
Groom's Father: Thomas Whittaker, Watch Maker
Bride's Father: Thomas Collinson, Weaver
Witness: William H. Taylor; Sophia Collinson
Married by Banns by: Philip Lancashire, Curate
Register: Marriages 1882 - 1884, Page 83, Entry 166
Source: LDS Film 2356230

OC - Could the brooch you saw have been in a pocket watch box?

[kiterunner]

Yes, John Thomas Whittaker is with Thomas on the 1871 and 1881 censuses.

[Olde Crone]

Oooh, thankyou, that looks very promising! Yes, I may well have misread the address on the box and yes, I THINK the box may well have been able to hold a pocket watch.

That makes things very interesting because I inherited my late father's gold watch which was handed down the Whittaker family to him. His mother said "My father made that watch" which was a lie because it was a standard imported gold watch from the USA and repair marks showed it to be a lot older than everyone had thought. Given her father was a pawnbroker, I assumed he had taken it in from stock but wonder now if he got it from "cousin" John Thomas.

I will have a proper look at the box to mcheck the address when I'm next in St Ives.

Thanks everyone.

OC

[Merry]

I think you should phone the shop - what if they sell it before you get there??!!!

[scuda]

Slaters Directory 1869:
Oldham, Watch & Clock Makers - Whittaker Thos. 14 Manchester st.

scuda

[scuda]

Kelly's 1895

Oldham, Watchmakers & Jewellers - Whittaker John Thomas, 14 Manchester st.

scuda

[Olde Crone]

Been out all day, just got back, sorry. I need to look at my tree in depth to see if I have a John Thomas Whittaker anywhere.

Merry, if I phoned the shop and asked that daft question they would kill me I think. They must have ten thousand items of jewellery in the window, you have never seen so much stuff in all your life (and they have two other shops, similarly stuffed).

OC