Are there any old mills or warehouses in the area? What were they used for? Local libraries may contain old linen business directories which would contain a list of linen businesses that were once in your local area. Try searching online using the online catalogue or call into your local branch.
- NI Libraries; Online Catalogue [external link: article]
The link below describes different kinds of houses in Victorian Belfast including that of a factory worker and linen mill owner:
- Ulster Architectural Heritage Society Education Pack: Victorian housing (Pg 20 -23)[external link: PDF]
Are there similar houses you can identify in your local area? Describe the difference between the large linen owner’s home and the tightly packed houses of the mill workers.
Imagine that you are either a linen factory owner or factory worker in Victorian Times. Describe who you are, what you do and why you live where you do. What do you think of where you live? Write a short description of your home. Then if you are the factory owner describe what your think of the type of houses where your workers live. If you are pretending to be a factory worker you can describe what you think of the house where the owner of your factory lives
