I’m looking for a bit of help again please.
I understand that during the Great War there was a Holt Street, Surry Hills, Sydney. I believe from a Google search that there is a Holt Street in Sydney still. Can any of our Australian members confirm whether or not it is the same street and whether any of the housing from the Great War period is still extant? Also, are there any War Memorials in the area or Churches which might have Memorials inside? A particular name I am looking for is that of William Howard Birch.
Further to this, I would be interested to know whether there is any system existing which records businesses or tradesmen of the period. I am particularly looking for a Painting & Decorating business which might have existed in the Holt Street area from 1909 onwards. Finally, I am looking to trace any information on a Miss Ida Hateley of Holt Street.
Long shots I know but anything anyone can turn up would be appreciated.
Regards,
kev35
By: swerve - 2nd December 2008 at 12:15
According to my Sydney street map, from the days when I worked there, Holt Street runs from Kippax St. to Devonshire St. And yes, that is Surry Hills. From the main entrance of Central Station, turn right (with the station behind you) along Eddy Avenue, under the railway bridge. Right again up Elizabeth Street, 2nd left Kippax St, & it’s 2nd on the right. About 250 metres from the station entrance.
BTW, do not despise Google for this. If I’d tried it first, I’d have got the answer quicker. Put Holt St Surry Hills into Google & you get this.
But as for buildings – I could be wrong, but I don’t think there’s much left there from that period. Lots of redevelopment from the 1920s on.
For tradesmen, try old street directories. Genealogical sites often have good info on them. If I was in Sydney, I’d pop down to the city or state library, but I’m on the wrong continent. The NSW state library lists this, for example, & the NLA catalogue has this.
Ancestry.com has the Sands 1861-1933 directories online. You have to pay to access them, but they’re doing a 14 day free trial at the moment. Get it while you can – www.Ancestry.com
BTW, make sure you cancel before the 14 days are up or you’ll pay.
Local history & genealogical societies transcribe monumental inscriptions from war memorials & graves & publish them. Some are free online. A good start for contacts is Rootsweb.com.
If you’re looking for births & marriages, the Mormon church has put a lot online free at www.familysearch.org
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December 2, 2008 at 1:11 am