My great great grandfather Thomas Murphy was a police man, firstly in Manchester (1841 census) then in Tranmere with his wife and family.In 1851 they lived in Oak Tree Place. Any ideas where this is/was and why he moved to Tranmere.?? Was there a sudden crimewave I wonder? I'd be grateful of any help ta
Oaktree Place was off ST Pauls Road, going down St Pauls Road towards the river, go under railway bridge its the first road on the left. Between 1841 and 1851 the population in Tranmere rose from 2554 to 6519
Oak tree place is still actualy there. The police station was in Meadow lane which is further up St Pauls road on the right hand side as you walk up the hill. so you great grandfather was in a house close to his place of work.
Ships that pass in the night, seldom seen and soon forgoten
Here's a map of Oak tree place in 1910. If you know the house number, you may be able to locate it. (Starting at St.Paul's Rd. odd numbers will be on the left).
Just to confirm and add a bit. Oak Tree place was just next door to Limekiln Lane Railway Station at that time. Hence the Railway Pub on the corner ! This was before the bridge was built over the line - previously level crossing took trains over Limekiln Lane . This was re-named St Pauls Road in the 1860s when St Pauls Church was built just bit further up on Old Chester Road . Rock Ferry Railway Station came later ! Also Meadow Lane was always in the Tranmere district and still is today -despite many people stretching Rock Ferry right down to Green Lane these days . Roman Catholic services 1st held in rooms above Cowkeeper,s Cottage in Meadow Lane b/4 St Annes built in 1860 approx. Tranmere independent town b/4 Birkenhead Police were formed . This makes your Ancestor and his employer very interesting to Local Historians
Chriskay Many thanks for map it covers what i am after. First part of Meadow Lane and the shop that was on the corner of Alison St and Livingstone Road,also house in Livingston Road whose back door is on Dee St
Thanks for location of Oak tree place on 1910 map.I had seen this map of Tranmere but couldn't find where my ancestor lived. I'm guessing that these terraced streets of which oak tree place is one, are later buildings than the ones that would have been there in 1851. EllyMay
I wish i could tell you more. It's been a stuggle searching for Murphy ancestors in the North West In 1841 Thomas was stationed at Ridgefield off Deansgate in Manchester, the police force only being set up in the 1830s(I think). He was PC 69 and recieved a merit badge for his services in Manchester, This information was kindly supplied to me by the Manchester Police archives.Does anyone know where the Meadow Lane archives would be? It would be such fun to find out more about him.
I think the police have an archives centre in Liverpool but do not know the address.They might have some information. The only other option would be Birkenhead archives