Ford Street

Hello there, I am a non-Coventry person but have come on here to see if anyone can help with a bit of research I am currently undertaking. I believe that Ford Street was constructed between 1851 and 1869 as I've seen the maps on this website and it appears on the map by the time of the 1869 one. I also believe that it was constructed on land purchased by the Corporation from the Trustees of Sir Thomas White. Sir Thomas White died around 1566, so 1866 (the important date I'm searching) is therefore the 300th anniversary of his death, thereby being a possible date that Ford Street was constructed, started or finished? Is that just pure coincidence? Are my ''facts'' correct? Also does anyone know where I can search Kellys or White Street or Trade Directories of Coventry for the year 1866? Regards Simon

Hello & good morning to you Simon68. Welcome aboard our Coventry forum & thank you for your post. I will highlight it so as to emphasise the question, hope that is ok.

You may find some of this thread of interest as it refers to Ford Street

The History Centre in the city centre has the 1863 Post Office directory with residents listed alphabetically but showing addresses. Also the 1866 Morris directory has a similar list, as does the 1868 Buchanan directory. The 1874 Anslow & Roden has residents listed by alphabetical street name. You could also try the 1861 and 1871 censuses available online but you need to know a family name, you can't look up by street (unless someone knows different).

Hi Simon Looking through the newspaper archive site there is mention of property on Ford Street before 1866. 1852 Plans were handed in for 2 houses in Ford Street on Sir Thomas Whites Estate. In 1858 515 yards of good eligible building land was up for sale. Clifton Villas in Ford Street was for sale in 1858. The foundation stone for the Arts School was laid in 1862. I have searched on Sir Thomas White in 1866 but there is no mention of any celebrations for him. Most that he was represented in the Godiva procession. Ancestry seems to be messing about so I can't search on there at the moment but I will have a look later. Good luck in your research.

Bob Skrzeczkowski