Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted) Family History Local History

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Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted)

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Topic: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted) (Read 360 times)

Steve G
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 447

My Maternal Great Gran ~ Polly Burge

Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted)
« on: Wednesday 28 October 09 01:36 UTC (UK) »

It just gets worse, doesn't it? Only, I have a father and son here. Both employed as " Strikers ", in Swindon.

All I can find is a Blacksmiths Assistant or Harpooner on a whaling boat. Wouldn't have thought Swindon was known for its whaling fleet. But then, I find it strange that father and son should be helping a Blacksmith.

Maybe they, coincidentally, worked for different 'Smiths? Maybe there's another meaning which I've missed altogether?


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James R. Yeowell
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 411

Charles Frederick Yeowell

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's?
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 03:01 UTC (UK) »

We did have a canal back then but we definitely do not have any sea.


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Steve G
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 447

My Maternal Great Gran ~ Polly Burge

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's?
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 04:13 UTC (UK) »

That's what I'm thinking, James. To be honest with ye? I'm not That sharp on where Swindon is. Been too hard pressed to consult the maps. So, yes, I was being a little facetious.

But, at the same time, this two guys working for the same man doesn't sit that well with me. Wondered if there might be another form of Striker in those days.

Just can't settle to this one yet.


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DudleyWinchurch
RootsChat Veteran

Posts: 896

Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's?
« Reply #3 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 05:41 UTC (UK) »

I've no detailed local knowledge, but know of Swindon as the site of a major Railway workshops industry. I would have thought that would employ a lot of Smiths. Does anyone know the time-frame for the industry?


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youngtug
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 432

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's?
« Reply #4 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 08:21 UTC (UK) »

Hi Steve. My grandfather was a blacksmiths striker in the railway works in swindon. They had a large smiths shop employing a good few men. A smith could have several strikers working with him on certain jobs, or only one. The size of the works was enormous, they made everything in there. the smiths made tools like cold chisels and things such as drive rods for the loco's. John.


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youngtug
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 432

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's?
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 08:31 UTC (UK) »

the railway works in swindon where built about 1840-45. the smiths shop was still in full swing in the 1950's. When I was in the old gwr hospital in swindon then you could hear, and feel, the steam hammers in constant use, day and night. You might like to have a read of this book ;http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:obVIpdm4keMJ:www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Railway-Factory-Alfred-Williams/dp/0750946601+blacksmiths+swindon+gwr&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk&client=firefox-a sorry messed up the shrink link again. John.


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Steve G
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 447

My Maternal Great Gran ~ Polly Burge

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's?
« Reply #6 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 15:22 UTC (UK) »

Dudley and Young Tug; Thankyou both very much! Nothing quite like a bit of 'insider' knowledge with these matters. That gives me the broader picture and so now, of course, I see how it's perfectly acceptable that they were both just following a main, local trade. I'd never have got that on my own.

Sorted


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GAITES (Alverstoke / Bath Pre 1850)
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James R. Yeowell
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 411

Charles Frederick Yeowell

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted)
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 17:24 UTC (UK) »

I visited the Railway Works in the 1990s before much of what is left became the Designer Outlet Village. It was a time-warp back then. Apparently when it shut in 1986, everyone upped tools and left and that's how I witnessed it in the 1990s.

It has all been redeveloped now but there are still many specially built Victorian cottages in the town, plus the wall in London Street.


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Redroger
RootsChat Aristocrat

Posts: 2214

Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted)
« Reply #8 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 17:57 UTC (UK) »

Steve, As an ex rail worker I would have replied as the respondents have previously about a blacksmith's striker, as a blacksmith's assistant. I visited Swindon for the first time last saturday to attend an exhibition. I lived for over 40 years in Doncaster, another major Crewe etc. but not Swindon. The redevolopment has completely wrecked the entire town. I was pleased to leave, and I don't often say that!!


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Steve G
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 447

My Maternal Great Gran ~ Polly Burge

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted)
« Reply #9 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 18:18 UTC (UK) »

Sadly, I can quite believe and appreciate both ye sentiments about 'urban Redevelopment'. Seen it too Sad

But, where do we draw the lines? I grew up in a Portsmouth where we had horses tethered on areas of waste land / bomb sites. Now those places are gone. Swept away ~ along with the horses, sadder to say ~ and architectural nightmares, in the form of blocks of flats, recover the ground.

I guess someone else might have yearned for the terraced houses, there before the blitz? I preferred the horses. People living in the flats? God knows.

Maybe Genealogy makes us somewhat 'romantic' for certain aspects of history? But, the bottom line is that we don't get to pick and choose 'progress'. Think of the conditions many of those early Smiths and Strikers would've been working and even living under. I don't suppose They thought it all so nostalgic?


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GAITES (Alverstoke / Bath Pre 1850)
CURTIS (Portsmouth & Pre 1800 London).
BURGE (Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire)
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youngtug
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 432

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted)
« Reply #10 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 18:44 UTC (UK) »

Roger,for a first visit you are quick to judge. The redevelopment has halted, due to the downturn in the economy, leaving a mess that will not be fixed until someone invests in the new building work needed. [ sorry to hijack your thread,Steve]


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Redroger
RootsChat Aristocrat

Posts: 2214

Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted)
« Reply #11 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 18:48 UTC (UK) »

I think you're right about them not finding it nostalgic Steve, what with bad working conditions, asbestos into the 1970s, I had a friend at Doncaster whose job was to spray asbestos insulation onto exhausts which protruded into public areas on railcars, where it was painted. Neither he nor the painters had any protection at all, just used a foghorn shaped spray gun. In the 1960s part of my job was to collate monthly boiler inspection reports, this usually meant me getting the foreman boilersmith out of an engine firebox where he was working to hassle him for the reports. I usually couldn't see him for the asbestos dust!


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Ayres Brignell Cornwell Harvey Shipp Stimpson Stubbings (all Cambs) Baumber Baxter Burton Ethards Stanton (all Lincs) Luffman (all counties)

Redroger
RootsChat Aristocrat

Posts: 2214

Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted)
« Reply #12 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 18:50 UTC (UK) »

Point taken Youngtug, but finishing the development won't make it look any better. There has been much redevelopment done in Doncaster, without in my opinion wrecking the town centre.


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Ayres Brignell Cornwell Harvey Shipp Stimpson Stubbings (all Cambs) Baumber Baxter Burton Ethards Stanton (all Lincs) Luffman (all counties)

youngtug
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 432

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted)
« Reply #13 on: Wednesday 28 October 09 19:08 UTC (UK) »

There never was a town centre to wreck really, it was always pretty dismal. Has for asbestos, its a nightmare that was covered up for many years and has claimed the lives of several of my family. John.


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James R. Yeowell
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 411

Charles Frederick Yeowell

Re: Much Whaling Done, Around Swindon, 1800's? (Sorted)
« Reply #14 on: Thursday 29 October 09 00:55 UTC (UK) »

At least the market has re-opened though.

But yes, the area around Havelock Street is planned for redevelopment eventually.


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