Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History SMITH F.E. Earl of Birkenhead (1872-1930)

The house of commons library have informed that
"The Earl's birth place address was in 38 Pilgrim Street, Birkenhead, but at the age of three moved to 4 Green Lawn , Tranmere in 1875.
Mr D. Rogers
House of Commons Library
Palace of Westminster
London SW1A 0AA
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Just to bring you up to date I posted some photographs of the first earl of birkenheads home where he grew up as a child, it follows from the following thread that burt1 and uptoncx gave me further information, which will go towards helping obtain a blue plaque (if the building is still there)
Thankyou to all for your help
if and when a blue plaque is to be presented I will update you all
regards purfeck

I don't think 38 Pilgrim st now exists.

Google Maps Link

Pilgrim Street does exist, however, it doesn't look like there are houses there now.

Google Maps Link

The second address still seems to be standing though

Spent the morning at wirral archives service shore road, Birkenhead and was able to establish, Lord Birkenhead, was born in 36 Pilgrim Street, there does not appear to be a record regarding 4 Green Lawn and we beleive by looking at old maps of that area that the house in which he lived is still standing (no 4) his family then moved to Clifton Road (42). I also noted that his first house was 9 Lorne road in Oxton I will keep you informed when more information arrives.

38 pilgrim st

Bert *lol* the six looks like an eight, I can assure you that a cross reference check was made not only in the records held but also in a very old book that the archive service kindly let me view (very old and falling apart) in the book their is a pencil reference which we could not work out on each occasion that 36 was printed it was crossed out and 32 put in its place. since the book officially states 36.
I have been informed that I need to contact Michael J Corfe chair of Liverpool Athenium HIstory Society

What is the "very old book" and what is its date of publication? the image below is of the actual 1871 census, not a transcription, there is no confusing the six and the eight as they go in sequence (36, 38, 40). The census is usually considered a primary source, the book may not be; what were the other records cross referenced to?



You will need evidence from a primary source to proove he was not born at number 38.

The above is conclusive proof if nothing else that F E Smith's family resided at 38, even though it was before he was born.. 1872. It is unlikely they moved next door to 36. However there is always a possibility for confusion for anyone recording facts for past books as there was also a Smith living at 36. Has anyone got any photo's of that street around that time or knowledge of what type of properties they where. It is interesting that Frederick Smith, a land agent had a nurse and a domestic as servants ( i assume ) while his neighbours where a joiner and housekeeper, hardly well paid, at that time.