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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Yorkshire (East Riding & York) => Topic started by: Nick Carver on Sunday 09 January 05 17:21 GMT (UK)
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I have found three brothers in my family moving from agricultural Norfolk to Hull in the 1840s. I thought that the driver for this was abject poverty on the land at the time (I live within 50 miles and historical records suggest that to be the case for my village) but it now appears that one of the sons of these men married a girl whose family moved there from Middlesex at about the same time. That has got me wondering more why people moved to Hull at about that time and I hoped somebody on this board could shed some light on the matter? One of these brothers became a dock labourer and the others were described as simple labourers. I thought that the explosion in factory work as a result of the industrial revolution (one possible cause) took place rather earlier (late 1700s).
Any suggestions most gratefully received.
Thanks
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Hi, don't have a real answer for you but I have a few of my families in Norfolk moving to Hull and though it was to do with the prosperity of the ship building industry. Mine went from ag Lab's to Iron foundry workers. The money must have been better??
2 brothers of one of my family moved as batchelors to where there Uncle had gone (Obviously heard of good oppurtunities) 10 Years down the line and the boys married and with families and had other family members and old Neighbours from Norfolk boarding with them!!
Would be very interesting if some one could give some actual facts on this.
There was something good going on!
All the best Anjo
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Thanks Anjo, that almost perfectly matches my experience. All three went up as bachelors - the first one married in York in 1840 and then moved to Hull - the others married in 1846 and 1847. It will take a bit more digging to find out whether they all moved up together or if the first one sent for his brothers. As he couldn't sign his name on the wedding certificate, one must presume that they all went together.
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Hi Nick & Anjo,
Im no expert, here's maybe a couple of reasons why your families moved to Hull. In the 1840s the railways came to Hull and in 1846 the railway dock was built on the east side of the river Hull, in 1850, Victoria dock was opened and alexandra dock followed. With the advance of the railways linking Hull with Selby and Leeds industry was booming. With each dock taking on average 2 to 4 years on its construction you can imagine the amount of man power involved, and thats without mentioning the building of the actual railway and shipping industries.
At about the same time Isaac Reckitt was purchasing his mill's. By 1880 he is expanding world wide. people was coming into Hull from all areas.
kooly..
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Hello Nick,
It was around 1837 that many changes started to happen in Hull, the overseers of the city stepped down, this opened the door for fresh blood to take the helm, Hull's docks had been kept down, they where grossly overcrowded, now the race was on to expand them and build new ones. The towns boundaries had been enlarged on all sides so fresh building land was made available, and the imminent arrival of the railways was on its way.
Over in America civil unrest was devastating the cotton industry, Lancashire was effected big style by it, due to this, a group of entrepreneurs decided that cotton imported from India and brought direct to Hull could be manufactured in Hull itself, this called not only for the industrial buildings but also the housing of the workers (approximately 2000 people) most would be women, but that itself would bring prosperity to families as they would have extra income.
Hull was already a timber importer and with all the sleepers the railways needed, it was necessary to build floating timber yards, more work for stone masons and brickies.
Due to Hull's low lying flood plane, cellars where far and few between, places like Leeds etc had cellars, workers lived in these overcrowded cellars, whereas in Hull you at least got a house!! (even though the sewers where almost non existant, it still seemed attractive)
As far as Lincolnshire folk are concerned the added attraction of the newly built ferry landing must have been an added attraction.
Seed crushing and paint making was also rapidly expanding, making Hull a thriving port and an industrial town when many where flagging at that time.
Hope this is of help.
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After reading all these posts it makes you wonder if there was anyone left in Norfolk.
On my side they where ag labs in Norfolk and remained ag labs in and around Hull.
On my husbands side his Norfolk/Suffolk connections seem to have come along the coast.
Bee
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Thanks for all these postings. It certainly fits with what I know about my family. Amongst the daughters of these migrant workers, quite a few worked in the cotton mill, whilst the men went into the docks or shipping related industries. It's heartening how a short local history lesson can piece all these things together. Much appreciated !
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Some of my ancestors moved from Polperro in Cornwall up to Hull and Grimsby. Most of the male members had occupations to do with the sea ie coast guards/fisherman so its thought that when work 'dried up' in Polperro they moved upwards to Hull and Grimsby both busy fishing ports.
fiona
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FWIW, I've just discovered that one of the brothers mentioned above worked in the railways. I think that perfectly underlines what has been said in this thread.
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I live in the United States but I've traced my Irish ancestors to Kingston on Hull. In the 1851 census I see my great-grandmother, Mary Burke as a 6-year old living with her father John Burk, and her mother Attry Burke. The residence says Robinsons (followed by a word I can't make out - looks like Eastry or something like that). John was a "Hawker" (salesman or solicitor I guess). It's clear that John came from Ireland shortly after the great Potato famine to find work and he was involved with the Cotton manufacturing - of which company I do not know. The area they lived in is called Sculcoates, which I assume is a housing area for the cotton industry workers. In the 1861 census the family is now on Wincolmlee living. Mary is a cotton Reeler at 16 years of age. The story I'm trying to piece together is how Mary met my great grandfather William Humphrey. William was living in Great Broughton, further north in county York and in 1862, he and Mary Burke get married. John Burke is a witness on the marriage certificate. William was the son of a shoemaker (which I understand was a well-respected trade at the time). I get that Hull was a busy hub for industry and such but how does a "cotton reeler" meet a shoemaker? Yes the trains provide transportation and young people want to socialize but did they meet in Hull or was there a reason to be up in Great Broughton. Their marriage is performed in Kirby in Cleveland, north yorkshire. Any speculation on how an Irish family is up in Northern Yorkshire at this time? I guess the cotton industry was starting to wane a bit - or maybe it's that change people search for when you discover the cotton industry labor is so dull and dead-end that you'll try anything else. I would be interested in any input you guys have. It seems that you have a good perspective of the history of the area there.
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The residence says Robinsons (followed by a word I can't make out - looks like Eastry or something like that).
It's most likely "Robinsons Entry"
Occupation HAWKER - a travelling salesman
Probable place of work "Hull Flax & Cotton Mill Company, Lime street, Hull"
PS Welcome to Rootschat
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Two things happened in the early to mid 1800s that affected the wealth of the town and district.
All around the coast of the UK there were villages that relied on fishing to feed themselves. A superior trawler was designed in Brixham and was copied around the land. This trawler was larger than usual and could travel farther afield to catch fish.
The arrival of the trains meant that these large hauls of fish could be transported to new inland markets very quickly. As more and more money circulated in the district, other traders moved in to share in the prosperity. Heavy engineering companies moved their factories to Hull to take advantage of a huge European export market.
Local Directories show that many countries had a consulate, or agent, or representative in the town. The directories also show that agriculture, alongside fishing and engineering, was still important amongst the list of trades and names are "cow keepers" in the town
My own Wisbech born grandfather arrived in Hull with his brothers in the early 1900s for "seasonal dock work".
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An interesting read here...
https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/yorks/east/vol1/pp174-214
Annie