A-Z of Family History Sources & Stories
Join
me on this A-Z journey to explore the fascinating records
that can enhance your family history research and writing.
OCCUPATIONAL RECORDS - if you are lucky, you may find records relating to an ancestor's
working life in your local archive centre, though a lot does depend on
the particular type of employment. Here are some examples of what I have come across:
ARCHITECTS - A Dictionary of Scottish Architects is a database providing detailed biographical information and job lists for all
architects known to have worked in Scotland during the period 1840-1980,
whether as principals, assistants or apprentices. A "must consul" item if this is your ancestor's background.
Being COUNCILLOR might seem rather dull, but the Burgh and County Council Minute Books, which go back to
the mid 17th century, give a full description of local affairs and
council discussions and can reveal interesting sidelines, such as the councillor
in the 1880's who was petitioning in support of woman's suffrage, long
before it was close to becoming a reality.
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The entries make fascinating reading, with all six ships on which Robert Donaldson sailed, having an eventful history and coming to a sad end (though not under his charge).
Lloyds Captain's' Register provided information on the ships under the command of another mariner ancestor, Matthew Iley White. His journeys took him to the North sea ports of Belgium and Holland, to Spain & Portugal, the Mitterrand, Black Sea, Adriatic Sea,and north to the Baltic and the Gulf of Finalnd.
[Above right - another ancestral master mariner - John Moffet of South Shields]
MINERS - my husband's Arrmitage and Hibbert ancestors were miners in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and County Durham, where the history of mines, mining and miners is well documented on the Internet.
The website www.scottishmining.co.uk provided detailed information when I was researching the Spowart family of Fife.
An early insight into life in mining areas was given by Robert Franks in his report to the Children's Employment Commission in 1842 who commented "The domestic condition of the collier population presents a deplorable picture of filth and poverty" .
He conducted interviews with children including 15 year old Helen Spowart who was described as a “putter”, with the task of propelling a loaded coal-hutch from the coal-face to the pit-bottom by means of a series of shoves or pushes.
The report noted "Began to work in mines when nine years old and has done ever since. Helen added "It is very coarse, heavy, cloughty work, and I get enough of it, as am never able to do muckle after hours from the fatigue".
POLICEMEN & PRISONERS - if your ancestor was a constable or even on the other side of the law, police records are a great resource and include mug shot photos of criminals, lists of prisoners, plus constable registers with personal details including descriptions, service record, next of kin and family etc.
A long-held family story recollected a lost photograph of a relative in a top
hat serving in the River Tyne Police. A silver uniform button (left) was still held by
the family. Tyne & Wear Archives provided some answers, finding that not
only Henry, but also his older brother
Matthew Iley White, were members of the
river police force – both with rather a chequered history.
The Nominal Roll of the Tyne River Police showed that Henry, a
single man, joined 9th January 1882.
By the time of his promotion seven months later in July, he was
married. The Police Defaulters Book
recorded his misconduct for assaulting a seaman A. W. Hanson and other
irregularities on 11th June 1889.
Henry was fined 2/6 and transferred to Walker Division at his own
expense. The Nominal Roll of 1904 noted
his age as 42 and that he had 22 years of service, with a wage of 29/6.
With three of my Danson ancestors working as POSTMEN, I
upgraded my Ancestry subscription recently, so I could access their
Post Office Records. All I got was a name, date of appointment and
place, so I can't really say it added anything to my family story. Also
if you are looking for a popular local name, it will be difficult to
confirm which is "your" entry. Still we all consult records in hope of
finding something worthwhile!
TEACHERS - School Records are the place to look - with Log Books recording daily school life, and School Board Minute Books and Education Committee Minute Books recording appointments - and dismissals! Here is an example from a school log book:
1873 - At Glenholm, Peeblesshire, a school inspector reported "This small school was taught by Mr Grieve in an intelligent, painstaking and efficient manner". We would all love to find such a testimonial on an ancestor.
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Archive image courtesy of the Heritage Hub, Hawick
Occupation Records are a fascinating example of how family history can take you in so many diverse directions.
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Onto P for Poor Law Records
Good tip -- I wonder what Virginia has on hand about teachers.
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