RootsChat.Com

Dearest Mary,

I never got through to chat with the librarian - wasn't sure if there was a connection made or not. So I wrote up another query and put in the main body of it that I wished an e-mail response. To that end, I received a password in one e-mail and a copy of my query in another. But, when I tried to log in to determine whether a response had been posted to my account, it told me that my password was incorrect(and that had been cut and pasted from their e-mail so I am doubtful about that).

I will wait until next week for a proper response from the library and if no response in my in-box will send a direct e-mail as you suggest.

Thanks again!

Canadian Mary

Hello!

My ancestor, Henry OHMAN was apparently an organ builder in York for the period 1828-1831(and perhaps other years). He apparently worked at Aberford(1828) and Tickhill(1831).

I have been told that he is mentioned in
Portrait of an English Parish Church. St. Mary the Virgin, Tickhill, Yorkshire: Bearstall, T.W. (c1990), p.21.

I would like to learn more about this man and wonder what my options might be. Is organ building an apprenticed trade? Might an official list of apprenticeships for York be available?

A family story went along the lines of this man going to France to build an organ and upon his return was robbed and thrown overboard - never to be seen again. He can't be found in the 1841 England Census so this story is conceivable.

Has anyone access to the above-mentioned book and be willing to provide me with the details found on page 21?

Any thoughts or comments are most welcome. Thank you!

Mary
Canada

Hello!

A marriage record for an ancestor indicated that her father, Henry OHMAN was an organ builder. Jane, his daughter, was born in York about 1828(possibly Saint Olave, York, Yorkshire). I have been unable to find her father, Henry in the 1841 or 1851 Census. But there was an Andrew OHMAN, aged 45, mechanic living in York in 1841. An old directory for 1823, found an Andrew OHMAN living in Gillygate, York - an organ builder and violin maker.

There was a family story which told the tale of a great grandfather who lived in England and was an organ builder. He had just finished erecting an organ in some church in France, was on his return to England when he disappeared. It is thought he was murdered for his money and thrown in the sea. Perhaps that is why Henry couldn't be found in the earlier census years.

I was wondering if becoming an organ builder was an apprenticed trade and perhaps there might be records that could be consulted?

Any direction in this matter would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Mary
Canada

Sorry for the delay in responding...

I will enter your information into my database and if I come across anything which seems to connect to your man will let you know.

Mary

Thanks ever so much for searching for these two. I will pass on the information to my friend.

Mary