Dublin Directories

Shane, you seem to have been inundated with requests for Thom’s searches.

Any chance of checking one for me? I have been told that Lord Pembroke gave a ‘grant of land’ to my GG Granddad & another man to build houses in Barrow Street (opposite Google now) in the 1840’s. 10 houses I think. My GG Grandad got 4 to keep as did the other man & the Lord kept two. My GG Grandad was Patrick Dodd, possibly he got 2, 5, 9 & 10. Would Thom’s narrow down the timescale as to when these houses were built? And who was the other man? Any help would be great.

As an aside, Patrick Dodd, in his 70’s married my GG Granny Elizabeth Meroe (from my India Connection thread), she was listed as ‘Minor’ on the marriage cert.

Thanks, J

Shane, thanks for that.
It would appear that the story of my GG Granddad & another man building Barrow St may not add up so. I do know that he did eventually own 4 houses there: 2, 5, 9 & 10 and while he lived in no 5 he rented out the others to lodgers. That is the reason he met my GG Granny (Eliz Meroe), she worked for him looking after the lodgers (they marries in 1882). The development of Barrow St as listed in your quoted directories is at odds with family lore. Not unusual.

Any suggestions on how to further the story?

Again thanks, J

Shane, again many thanks. I will follow up as you suggest, cheers, J

Rather than inundating Shane W with requests for data from Thom's and other directories, it should be remembered that a virtually full set of Thom's directories are on the open shelves of Dublin City Library and Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2.
Those who have not used this superb resource, just need the usual two forms of ID to register and access the collection.

To my mind, Thom's directories are the most underused source for local and family history for Dublin and also other areas. Depending on the period, Dublin city was only reached on page 1349 or 1375. Before that are lists relating to every local authority, poor law union and professionals, clergy etc in Ireland, lists of aristocrats, army and navy officers, privy councillors etc throughout the UK. I even found an ancestor working in a colonial position, complete with his salary in rupees, you could see his pay increase each year.

For many, this will seem like useless information, but you never know when some of it may become relevant. It was the internet of it's day.

Thom's directory started about 1844, there was a short overlap with Pettigrew & Oulton. Before this, there was Wilson's directory, published as part of the treble almanac. Some are pre 1800. Of course this was more basic, lists of different trades etc.

Shane, I looked at the 2 links for Thom's Directories on Google Books you posted. I quickly found what you previously said re my request on Barrow St and my G G Granddad, Patrick Dodd. He is listed in no.5 in both 1850 & 1852. I am still under the impression that he owned 2, 5, 9 & 10 if he didn't appear to be involved in the original building of them. As he is listed for no.5 does that mean that he owned it? Could he have owned 2, 9 & 10 as well, though here are other names for these houses in Thom's for these years?
J

Alice died 21 May 1962
Richard died 10 May 1966

You're welcome! Richard stars in a few articles: fined £20 for no insurance; involved in a dispute about inheritance tax; dispute about the Theatre Royal taking light from his premises.... interesting chap.

Richard died in Portobello Nursing home according to a legal ad looking for his creditors.

Here's the marriage announcement: