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Author Topic: WELL SINKER  (Read 1352 times)

Offline unicorn80

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WELL SINKER
« on: Sunday 20 December 20 12:49 GMT (UK) »
Hi, I have an ancestor whose occupation in 1885 is given as a Well Sinker.  Any ideas what this is?  Would it be connected to the manufacture of iron?  Other members of the family are Puddlers so would the two be connected in any way?

Online BumbleB

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Re: WELL SINKER
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 20 December 20 12:52 GMT (UK) »
A well sinker digs wells - probably for water.  :-\
Transcriptions and NBI are merely finding aids.  They are NOT a substitute for original record entries.
Remember - "They'll be found when they want to be found" !!!
If you don't ask the question, you won't get an answer.
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Offline Ruskie

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Re: WELL SINKER
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 20 December 20 13:03 GMT (UK) »
I would look at his occupation through the censuses - it might give more clues about which sort of wells he sank.  :)

Offline Gadget

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Re: WELL SINKER
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 20 December 20 13:15 GMT (UK) »
Census &  BMD information Crown Copyright www.nationalarchives.gov.uk and GROS - www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

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https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=877762.0

Offline Pennines

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Re: WELL SINKER
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 20 December 20 18:02 GMT (UK) »
Just for information and possible future use --- there is a website with an index of old occupations --

https://rmhh.co.uk/occup/index.html

Both the occupations you mention are included. Just click on the first letter of each occupation and tab down until you see the one you want.
Places of interest;
Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Southern Ireland, Scotland.

Online BumbleB

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Re: WELL SINKER
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 20 December 20 20:44 GMT (UK) »
My definition of Well sinker came from "A Dictionary of old trades, tiles and occupations" - a really useful book.

Transcriptions and NBI are merely finding aids.  They are NOT a substitute for original record entries.
Remember - "They'll be found when they want to be found" !!!
If you don't ask the question, you won't get an answer.
He/she who never made a mistake, never made anything.
Archbell - anywhere, any date
Kendall - WRY
Milner - WRY
Appleyard - WRY

Offline barryd

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Re: WELL SINKER
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 20 December 20 21:23 GMT (UK) »
A Sinker with no other description ...........   probably could sink a Well on his lunch break.

A sinker in mining was a worker in the 1800s who specialized in creating new vertical mine shafts. The job was highly skilled and the workers who did this work were often regarded as an elite workforce.

Offline unicorn80

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Re: WELL SINKER
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 22 December 20 12:53 GMT (UK) »
Hi thanks everyone for your help and, especially, the links.  All I know about this chap (from his son's marriage cert.) is that his name was " _ Butler (Dec'd) Well Sinker".  Finding it impossible to track him down on any census.  The son was born in Birmingham, which is why I wondered whether there was any other form of well sinker other than digging wells for water. 

Offline youngtug

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Re: WELL SINKER
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday 22 December 20 13:36 GMT (UK) »
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