Wharfinger

[ringarosy]

I have a GGrandpa who lived at Stratford upon Avon in 1881 and was a wharfinger. I take it this is in relation to the water and locks or canals or transport of goods on water, is this correct?

Would there have been any association or training for this occupation?

All info gratefully accepted.

[tedscout]

Wharfinger is the keeper or owner of a wharf. The Wharfinger responsible for goods that get loaded/unloaded at the wharf. He'd have anoffice on the wharf and may even live there. He also would have taken tide readings and be responsible for any excise due on the goods.

Hope you find which wharf he looked after. There might be some really interesting records to trawl though.

Cheers Ted

[ringarosy]

Thanks for that Ted.

Any ideas about how I would find out what wharf he looked after?

[Redroger]

You may be able to establish this from his address, possibly with the added aid of a local map, and a trade directory for the period.