1891 Census an Fishermen at sea

[Timeside]

Hi,
I am trying to locate my ggt granfather Robert George Reeves 1845 bEdenbridge at sea. I have found his wife and family in Clee, so it is reasonable that he was aboard his Smack. However I cannot bring him up on the census, I have tried typing in under location "At Sea" to no vail. Any suggestions please?

[lizdb]

If he was out at sea on census night he wont be recorded.

[Barleymow]

Hi, do you need the death dates for Robert George Reeves and Catherine ?or maybe you have them already,if so...sorry to bother you.   I also have their marriage if you dont have it.


Barleymow

[Timeside]

Hi every one.
Actually Vessels at Sea are recorded.
I have Robert George 1861 as a boy of 15 on the "Wynot" out of Grimsby
I also have him 1881 on his own Smack the "Burton".
Shortly afterwards He was forced to sell the share to his Mate. I am wondering which boat he was employed on in 91.

I have his BMD and lot of other interesting information should anyone be interested.

I have tried on Ancestry to search with Location set to "Vessels Grimsby" this brings up the 1881 but not the 1861 (which exists) or the 1891.

[lizdb]

Actually Vessels at Sea are recorded.

Sometimes!

Like you I have fisherman ancestors recorded on their boats on some censuses. Often these are when they were coastal fishing at various locations off the English or Welsh coast, so presumably coming in to land most days with their catch - no sophisticated refrigeration on board in those days.

But I also have many many a fisherman who are NOT on many many a census! Presumed to be away fishing, likely to be further afield, and not home for days at a time. For example smacks from the Essex coast went right over to the Dutch coast to fish, and I guess if one of those trips fell across census night they would not be recorded.

I may be wrong,  but  I would say a fisherman missing from a census ( with wife and family found at home )  was more than likely because he was out fishing!

[Timeside]

I agree, my ancestor lost his boat GY414 Burton,one of the larger, later Smacks to be built because of the "Fleeting" that took place. A Mother boat would accept catches from a number of smaller often the new steamers and return to port while the fleet stayed out at sea catching more fish. The use of Ice on board also helped in keeping the fish fresh.

[BillyF]

N.E.Lincs Archives hold some records on fishermen; I`m not sure what, but I think they would be able to help.

[Boerenvink]

Hi,
I am trying to locate my ggt granfather Robert George Reeves 1845 bEdenbridge at sea. I have found his wife and family in Clee, so it is reasonable that he was aboard his Smack. However I cannot bring him up on the census, I have tried typing in under location "At Sea" to no vail. Any suggestions please?

According to my family info he died of blood poisoning caused by a piece of wire in his knee.