Hi, I have recently been looking into a branch of my family named Harms. I have found them all living in Mile End Old Town, London, but interestingly, I found that the great grandfather was down on the 1861 census as having come from Germany.
His occupation was Sugar Refiner and after reading up about this type of work, discovered what a gruelling job it was. How they worked in 130/140 degrees F and were given a gallon of beer a day, to keep from dying of dehyration!! They also lived in the factory itself, incase of outbreak of fires, which due to the process of refining the sugar cane, was quite common. I noticed also, on the 1851 census for the Parish of St. George, Tower Hamlets, that there are hundreds of young men in their twenties, who all originate from Hanover in Germany.
The relative I am looking into was Peter Frederick Harms, age 36, Sugar Refiner. He is on the 1861 census with his 'wife' Mary Ann age 30(although they didn't actually marry until 1862), living at Lambeth Street, Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets. He goes on in later censuses to drop the 'Peter' and become just Frederick.
I have found two possibles on the 1851 census, but am not sure if either of them are him. I was wondering if anyone else has found relatives working as Sugar Refiners and how they went about tracing their German origins.
Any help appreciated.
Diana
