My great great great grandfather Walter Flinn (born 1799) lived at 52 William Street in the 1850s. He was a silk dyer who had emigrated from Dublin in the early part of the century and set up as a general dyer and cleaner. His wife was Elizabeth (born 1822), daughter of Adam Taught, sea captain of Hastings. His son Joseph (born 1850) went on to set up the beginnings of what became the large firm of Flinn & Son that had the big works in Portslade. Walter was the "Flinn" and Joseph was the "son" in the name. Flinns was taken over by Johnsons of Liverpool in 1920 but the name was kept. I believe the shops are still called Johnsons and many are the original Flinn shops.

I lived at number 10 William Street. Our family name is Newman. We lived next door to the Gunn family-there was Daisy Gunn one side who sold fruit and veg and Emma Gunn the other side who sold fish. I had lots of good friends along our street, there was the Ansells, the Virgos, Douglas, Newingtons- they were my cousins. Albert, Stevie Jimmy ,or Monkey as he was known, and Georgie. If anyone has any info regarding William Street let me know. What about Jack Balls, old shop in Edward Street,and Greenfields bakery, with Norman the son of the baker?

Further too my last entry, I would like to invite any of my neighbours from William Street to write to me as I often wonder what has happend to all the good people that I grew up with. Does anyone remember Joey Sambucci? He lived right at the bottom of Edward Street along a little road that used to have a horse meat shop next door. Also the Weaver family who lived in Kingwood Flats. Terry was a good friend of mine. We could tell a few tales between us. Ahh the good old days!

Duffy, it's Tina. I have quite a bit of info on both nanny and grandad's family (Newman and Sallis) going back quite a long way. I have copies of various certificates (birth/marriage/death etc) I'd be happy to send to you if you're interested. Not sure if you're still at the same address. Hope you're well x

My grandad lived at 58 William St. His name was Frederick married to Ellen Sullivan, her family lived at no 59 - they were Irish. She died leaving a young family, my dad was one. He lived with an uncle there from about 1920, I would like to find which uncle. He went in the army about 1929 and died in 2003. I know his uncle had a horse and cart, he was probably a hawker. Any info would be great!

My grandparents lived at No. 55 William Street in 1908. Their names were Richard and Lillian Standing. I do not know how long thay lived there but they moved to Hereford Street.

From 1916 - 1934, my parents (the Grants) and grandparents (the Hays) had the two second hand furniture shops on the corner where nos 15 & 16 Edward Street met William Street.

If Tina could contact me I would love to get family history.

Hi Roy, I have been reading about your family shops and I am amazed. My grandfather, Charles Frederick Davis, supposedly had a butcher shop at 15 Edward Street in 1931/2. His brother, Walter Stanley Davis, had a butcher shop at 101/101c Gloucester Road in 1928-1931/2. He lived there in 1932 (according to his marriage certificate). I think our families have been following each other around Brighton.

Hi Tina, I don't know if you remember my family, we lived at the top end of George Street next to the hairdressers. My younger sister was great friends with sister Sharon who I'm sorry to say is no longer with us. Another of my sisters was friends with your sister Linda. I remember when you lived in William Street, Mighell Street and then I believe you moved to Sussex Street. What fun we all used to have. Where have all those years gone and who would have thought that us lot around Edward Street and Carlton Hill would be using computers? I certainly didn't but we all looked out for each other.

Hi Cathy, nice to see you are still reading the messages. I don't think that the Tina that you are writing to is a Douglas as the Tina who wrote to me is my Aunt Rose's daughter Tina xx

I have just read your comment Duffy saying the family Newingtons was your cousins, Monkey was a great friend of my brother Jim along with Derek Rolf, my Sister Kathleen is married to Alan Scrase who is also a cousin of the Newingtons. Alans Dad was Mrs Newingtons brother, I think I must be a bit older than you, I can't remember you at John Street, I do like reading all your comments though. My sister told me that John Street school has been demolished now, it is very sad to think there will be nothing left of the old places. I do have a book though on Back Yard Brighton which shows a lot of the old haunts. Ann.

I do remember Alan Scrase, he must know me as well. And, yes, I did know that his dad was the brother of 'Cissie' as she was called, I think maybe her real name was Priscilla - always Aunt Cissie to me. I also remember the Rolfs - Micky, Danny, Tony, Derek, their mum Flo and dad Shrimp. And, yes, the old school has gone now. Ahh, they say its progress - maybe not?

I lived in White Street from 1940 to 1949 and went to St Johns School, Carlton Hill and sung in the choir at St. Johns. I have a connection with the Gunn family through a family called Andrew. I am also interested in the person calling herself 'Tiny' - did you work for BT and also go to St. Johns?

Hey, good to find someone who agrees with me.

To David Wickham - sorry I think you're thinking of another Tina. My relations are the Newman/Sallis/Newington families. Although there is a Gunn/Newington connection. My (step) great grandfather Jim Newington's mother was Sarah Jane Gunn.

Duffy, I haven't forgotten you. I'm still working on getting everything put together for you. By the way 'Aunt Ciss'- her real name was Cecilia (maiden name Scrase). Her son Monkey died a few years ago now (early 2006) x