Michael Gilmartin

[Jayell]

I have just found out from the 1841 census that my 2 x gt.grandfather, Michael Gilmartin, lived in John Street and was a Trunk Maker. He was 15. Can anyone tell me what a Trunk Maker was? Also anyone know where John Street was? I know it was in St Mary's parish and somewhere near Lichfield Street.

 

[sylviasayers]

Judy, I think a trunk maker is exactly what it says, a maker of trunks, chests for carrying things. I too have an ancestor who lived in John Street in 1841, John Street was roughly where Dale End, Birmingham city centre is today. My g.g. grandfather also lived in Lichfield Street in 1845 - Lichfield Street is now Corporation Street, Birmingham city centre.

 

[Jayell]

John Street

Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction Sylvia. I have a B'ham Map dated 1841 but many streets are difficult to read. From your guidance I have now found John Street which seems to be at the end of London Prentice Street, and between Lichfield Street and Dale End. This makes sense in a way as Michael Gilmartin was Irish, and married in 1846 to Jane Mackenzie in St Martins. They then lived in London Prentice Street which was predominantly Irish.

 

[sylviasayers]

Glad to be of help Judy. I also had g. grandparents of Irish descent who lived in London Prentice Street. In 1879 it was described as "a nasty. dirty, stinking thoroughfare". It was the home of the poorest, many of whom were migrants from the West of Ireland. I don't know whether you know Birmingham at all, but London Prentice Street was roughly where Lewis' Department Store was later built.

 

[Jayell]

I was born and brought up in Birmingham Sylvia, so know the area very well. London Prentice Street became Dalton Street, a short portion of which still exists and runs parallel with Corporation Street near the Old Square (Lewis's) towards Dale End roughly behind the Mecca Casino Ballroom which used to be on Corporation Street. Yes, the street had a very bad reputation in the mid to late 1800's.