143 York Street

The History of the Parr Family

This house no longer stands.  The 1888 Cambridge Town Plan and the 1910 Land Tax both refer to this part of York Street as “Lower York Street”.

There is no record of 143 York Street on any census prior to 1911.

The Cambridge Independent Press for the 24th August 1894 runs a public notice announcing that “Desirable freehold properties” including “Nos. 129, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 131, 133, 135, 137, 143, 145, 147, 149 & 151 Lower York Street” are to be sold by Auction.

1910 Land Tax

The odd numbered properties, 129 – 151 (Lower) York Street, all appear on the 1910 Land Tax owned by a Mrs M C Sheldrick who lived at 151 Chesterton Road.

Mary Catherine Sheldrick (1850 – 11 September 1922) was married to Joseph Albert Sheldrick, a Superindendent for the Post Office.

Frances Parr is the tenant named on the Land Tax document.

1911 – 1948

Frances Parr, widow, 50, washer woman

John Parr, 29, general labourer at gas works,

Frances Parr, 24, married for five years – the enumerator has crossed her out!

Emma Parr, 22, married for three years – the enumerator has left this.

William Parr, 20, general labourer

Sarah Parr, 14, at home

George Parr, 12, school

Guy Parr, 10, school

All the family were born in Cambridge.  Frances records that she was married 21 years and had 10 children, three of whom have died by 1911.  Electoral registers record that Frances lived here until 1939.  The 1939 register shows her living here alone, however, her son John lived here until 1948.

Sources:  1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 UK Census, 1910 Land Tax, 1939 Register, Civil Registration Birth Index (1837-1915), Civil Registration Death Index (1916-2007), 1888 Cambridge Town Plan, Cambridgeshire Electoral Registers, Burgess Rolls and Poll Books (1722-1966), Cambridge Independent Press 24 Aug 1894,