Hi Mary Ellen Do not let that particular article put you off of visiting the area around Portland Square, St Pauls, Bristol. In fact the grand houses and St Pauls church are still there and by day the houses are homes to many firms of architects, solicitors, advertising agencies, etc. The church is especially beautiful and is often referred to as the wedding cake church as it resembles the layers of a wedding cake. However it is no longer used as a place of worship. It is very close indeed and a short walk away to a multi million pound Shopping Mall called Cabot Circus that was opened a couple of years ago. If you enter Bristol from the M4 motorway from London via the M32 which leads you right into the heart of Bristol, you will see St Pauls on your right and Cabot Circus and car parking on your left. If you stray to a road called City Road or even Ashley Road you could feel a lot less safe as it's that area where the St Pauls riots were many years ago but like any big city around the world you will find good and bad. I have myself felt unsafe in some US cities over the years just by straying one block. You can always google earth the Portland Square area and see for yourself where your ancestors lived from the comfort of your own home. I hope you will enjoy you visit to the historic city of Bristol. Bernice