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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: JustLooking on Wednesday 06 September 06 23:02 BST (UK)
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Hi
I wonder if any one could help me please.
I'm trying to find out where one of my ancestors was employed. In the censuses he is listed as a Gun Maker. He does not appear to have been self employed. Early on he seems to have moved quite a bit and then settled in Worcester (Claines).
Name - Edward Matthews, b.c. 1808, Plymouth
His movements -
1830s -Gloucester then Manchester - marriage and birth of first child
1841 - Gloucester - births of children
1841+ - Chester - birht of child
1851 - onwards - Worcester - census info
I was wondering if he might have been connected to the army in any way.
Thanks for any help.
Just
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Hi Justlooking,
And welcome to RootsChat!
There is a little info about Gun Makers at:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Occupations.html
Also:
http://www.chambersgunmakers.co.uk/company.htm
HTH.
Best Wishes, Romilly.
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Hello Romilly :)
Thanks ever so much for the links.
He (and the rest of this line) are vey odd. They seem to move around quite a lot early on and then settle in Worcester.
I did wonder about any gunmakers listed in Worcester but couldn't find him listed in the Trade Directories there, so I thought it might be military.
Many Thanks - that is a lovely photo you have as your avatar :)
JL
PS - you all seem a very friendly bunch :)
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Hi Again JustLooking,
You could try asking on one of the Armed Forces Messageboards on here, - they might be able to help.
Yes, everyone is very friendly on here, - you'll find out if you "StayLooking":-)
Best Wishes, Romilly. ;)
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Romilly
Thanks for that and for your previous help.
I'll try the Armed Forces board but I thought that was mainly for tracing ancestors who were miltary and battles and so forth rather than ancilliary occupations.
I mught also put something on the Worcestershire Board. There might be someone there who may know of gunsmiths there in the 19th century or has access to trade directories that I haven't been able to access.
You are so very kind
JL
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I too am looking for a Gun maker/ Gunsmith by the name of John Robins.
His son was my great great grandfather and I have got Johns details from james wedding certificate. James was living in Poplar at the time of his marriage in 1891, and was born in either Whitechapel/ Spitalfields or Bethnal Green in 1862 (circa).
John was not detailed as deceased on the wedding certificate.
I am trawling Ancestry as we speak, but could do with some help!
Moderator comment: if you can help Verity please reply on her other thread: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,190624.0/topicseen.html
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John Perrins was a famous gunsmith in Worcester. There's an article about him here:
http://archive.worcesternews.co.uk/2003/2/15/225163.html
It mentions the Arms and Armour Society which might have more information.
Monica
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Hello Monica
Thank you for that link. Unfortunately the site is down at the moment but it certainly looks promising.
JL
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See my posting today on London board: Gunmakers....apprenticeship records.
Hope this helps someone. Please let me know if you have someone on this list.
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It's been a long time but did you get any further with your gunsmith inquiry?
My family were from Bethnal Green in the 1850s - Heath - and had been gunsmiths and gun finishers for several generations. They relocated to the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham but ended up at the Singer factory in Coventry.
Hope this reaches you.
Simon Fielding
I too am looking for a Gun maker/ Gunsmith by the name of John Robins.
His son was my great great grandfather and I have got Johns details from james wedding certificate. James was living in Poplar at the time of his marriage in 1891, and was born in either Whitechapel/ Spitalfields or Bethnal Green in 1862 (circa).
John was not detailed as deceased on the wedding certificate.
I am trawling Ancestry as we speak, but could do with some help!
Moderator comment: if you can help Verity please reply on her other thread: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,190624.0/topicseen.html