Dear all - have just spotted something that might help with a family mystery. Some time between 1851 and 1861 my ggggrandfather, John RYAN, born Ireland, died. Family legend (with some variations, depending on which branch of the family) has it that he worked for Bruner-Mond - on this they are all agreed. However, this was impossible, as Bruner Mond was not formed for some years after this. He was, however, a 'chemical labourer' living mostly in Liverpool (children baptised in St Anthony's Scotland Rd from late 1820s) with a brief sojourn to Bristol (1841 census). The legend goes on that the chemical company (Muspratt or whoever) gave his Catherine a shop as a form of compensation, and the address of this was 288 Vauxhall Rd. Catherine or her descendants continued to live at that address for at least 50 years. I had always thought the address was empty in 1851, but recently looking at the Gores 1853 directory found it was inhabited by Sidney DEBNEY, provisions dealer. Checked on the 1851 census, and his address is listed as 250 Vauxhall Rd, but the neighbours - William GASS / GOSS and John WILLIAMS - are the same as those listed in the Directory. I am assuming, therefore, that the houses were renumbered between 1851 and 1853. This is a very specific timescale. Does anyone know about this? Was it common? There must have been a great deal of building in the areas at the time. Any ideas, anyone? Rachel