Hi Pete, In case it helps you deliberations, I can tell you that Valletts buildings, named after the French chemist and balloonist who brought the chemical bleaching process to Bolton, were about three-quarters of a mile from Astley St as the crow flies, or as the balloon flies given an east-by-north-east wind. Following modern streets would increase that to getting on for a mile but a more direct route would have been available in 1881. Rgds, Bob Thornley, Bolton From: "Pete Hulme" <phulme@glasshouse.com> <snip> By 1881 James Hulme was in Vallets Buildings, which I think is > good way from Astley Street. <snip>