Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request Charles Thomas Gostenhofer

Sorry above should be 1891 census and by 1916 the numbering are as follows below. Looks like between 1891 and 1916 there has been some house clearance which reflects on Chris's map.

I would suggest Laurel Bank has been demolished and the small "Edwadian houses" now occupy the site.

Laurel Bank had two entrances on Beresford Road.In Berts first picture note the posts & drive entrance cobbles, go further up the road and the same posts & entrance cobbles are there.

Berts second picture is the house next to Laurel Bank, you can clearly see the entrance porch is onthe side of the house, where as Laurel Bank's entrance was at the front, between the two gate entrances.

Perhaps the reason for Miss Charlotte ending up in number 16.

Yes, Bert, my map is dated 1912 edition, surveyed 1874, revised 1909. I see from the 1916 numbering that No.14 has disappeared, so that would account for Laurel Bank being originally No.18 and later No.16.
OxtonHill; I strongly believe that Bert's second image from Streetview to be Laurel Bank. If you look at the map, you can see the path leading to the quite prominent side entrance. I agree about the entrances: as I interpret the Streetview images Bert posted, the first picture is the entrance to the left, the second is to the right. I'll have a look the next time I'm up, unless someone beats me to it.

Here's an extract from Gore's Directory 1900 showing Gostenhofer at Laurel Bank, No.18 and this being the last house before Alton Rd.
It seems clear now that I was mistaken when I marked the x on the map and that the address of that house is Alton Rd., as shown by the path leading to it.
So, sometime between 1900 and 1916, number 14 Beresford Rd. disappeared and there was a re-numbering.

Thanks Chris, I may go in the morning and have a more leisurely look. Below 1911 summary book, note 18 had a lodge and 14 is still there, so far the area of numbers that seem to be relevant.

1891 numbers 1 to 26 recorded
1901 ======= 1 to 23 not 20

The confusion with the early numbering of the bottom part of Beresford Road is caused by Nos 8 and 10, these were the stables and coach house belonging to Redcourt (which fronts on to Devonshire Place) but were only ever known by one number (8) so 10 is 'missing'. These buildings were demolished and a small close of houses built on the site in the late 70s (I think).

Nos 12 and 14 are a pair of semi-detached houses, and are still standing.

No 16 is a detached house and was the old vicarage and is also still standing.

Number 18 was Laurel Bank and has been demolished and its site and grounds are now occupied by three pairs of semi detached houses (18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28).

Well done Upton, any idea when Laurel Bank was demolished?
In the 1911 summary book, are 18 and 20 the start of the semi's being built.

I think that the original Laurel Bank was still standing in 1911, as the census shows No 18 as occupied by:

Robert Thompson, steamship owner
his wife
his son
his daughter
his mother in law
two sister in laws
and three servants.

I don't think that these would all have fitted into one of the semi's.

The census shows that No 20 was occupied by Helena Herron (a single woman of private means who was born at sea), a visitor and two servants

There is a house the other side of the semi's, now numbered 30, which is set back from the road. I can't remember how old it looks, if it is old enough, could this house have been No 20 in 1911?

The 1923 Kelly Directory only shows No 18 (occupied by Moray Angus) and No 20 (occupied by Arthur Livingston) while the 1938 directory shows numbers 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28. This would suggest that Laurel Bank was demolished sometime between 1923 and 1938.

This has been a brilliant read. Thanks to all concerned . I will look for a picture of Laurel Bank but may well take some time to find it !

Thanks for the input, uptoncx. Interesting about the missing No.10, and that in 1916 a coachman was living at No.8.
So it looks as if I was wrong about the Streetview posted by Bert showing Laurel Bank; my apologies, OxtonHill.

Now, if you want another challenge, have a look at my thread "Birkenhead Ferries 1905" in a couple of hours!

The 1916 Wilmers shows the numbers stopping at 16, is it not possible or likely Laurel Bank was down by then.
Below some pics confirming Oxtonhill's thoughts on the drive posts and number 30 to remind Upton of the property.
Also on the 1891 census for Beresford rd it seems that the enumerator was confused by number 20.

Charles T Gostenhofer died at 18 Beresford Road on Sunday, 9th September 1906, and was buried at Flaybrick on Wednesday 12th. The following is his obituary from the Birkenhead and Cheshire Advertiser. It doesn't say much about his "business abroad", but it appears from other sources that he worked in America for some time with John Lewis Phipps & Co, a firm of Commission Merchants who had offices in New York and New Orleans.

Thanks for that Marty, it appears that John Lewis Phipps & co were exporters of coffee from Brazil.