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« on: Wednesday 17 April 24 13:38 BST (UK) »
Allan, Molly
Thanks again for the information you have provided. May I please ask, however, if you are able to let me have links to your sources? The reason for asking is that I am curently documenting my Stonyer ancestors who were millers, and I am using an academic thesis as my template, which includes creating a comprehensive bibliography of sources that I have used during my research and that I draw upon to make any conclusions from my research.
At present, I am researching the 17th ancestors. This poses a number of significant challenges, not the least being the constant variation of the surname (e.g. Stonyer, Stonier, Stanier, Stonger, Stanger, Stonehewer, Stoner). Add to that the fact that as milers, they are mobile, and do not generally own the mill they are working. Historical documentation about the mills generally refers either to the owner of the mill, or tenant or owner of the estate where the mill is located. Then, there seems to be a paucity of information about most mills before the mid 19th century or thereabouts. Yates maps of the 18thC are useful in showing the sites of mills, but then finding maps between then and the earliest OS maps is difficult. Tithe maps are usefull, but again don't help greatly with information before about 1840. I cannot help but note that the Staffordshire Past Track site crashed when attempts are made to use the link to Tithe Awards. I will report this when I have a moment.
The reference to shulling I haven't followed up yet myself, but the inferences that it refers to removing husks from seeds is I think correct. I have come across mills where seperating seeds from clover, for example, is carried out to make animal feed although ancilliary to the normal operation of the mill for making flour.
The Stoniers who, unusuallly, owned the freehold to Blythe Bridge Mill are not actually ancestors. I came across them during my research, but the geographical location and choice of first names for children are consistent with others that do form part of my family, and fit within the general focus of this specific piece of research on Stonyers as Millers. I will add the post 1822/1823 history of Blythe Bridge Mill as an appendix to my current research.
Thanks again for your help