John Henry Jenkins b1878

[Questor28]

Hi

I am trying to fill some gaps in the life of my grand father John Henry Jenkins. He was born in 1878 in Hakin, Pembrokeshire, Wales but lived most of his life in Grimsby.

As kids we were told that he ran away to sea at the age of 14 but the facts that I have come up with don't corroborate this. I have him from birth to the 1901 census living at home in Wales with his parents aged 23. I suppose he could have run away and come back :-)  The next record I have is his marriage to Bessie Agnes Chase in 1920 in Grimsby. I then have the birth of his children, including my mum, up to the 1939 register and his death in 1948 (before I was born). I believe that he may have worked on trawlers or in the merchant navy as an engineer.

Does anyone know if there are records of trawler/merchant navy crews or employment records for trawler workers. I did find an uncorroborated medal record on the National Archive site but there were no details of where he served or in what capacity.

I would like to fill in that missing 19 year gap between 1901 and 1920 if anyone has any ideas where I might start.

Thanks.

[Comberton]

Is this your grandfather?
Birth
John Henry Jenkins
Jun 1878 Haverfordwest
mmn Thomas
Baptism
John Henry Jenkins
born 7th June 1878
baptised 21st July 1878 Hubberston
John (labourer) and Mary of Hakin
If this is your man, he is a witness at his sister's wedding  on 27th February 1904 at Hubberston. The parents both died 1906, I have burials details if you don't have them.

[Questor28]

Hi

Thanks for that. I forgot that I had him at his sisters wedding in 1904 so I guess he was at least 27 when he left home.

I haven't got his mother's (Mary Thomas) death details so if you have them I would appreciate them.

Thanks

[CaroleW]

The 1939 entry confirms his occupation but I doubt you will find any employment records

[Comberton]

Burials at Hubberston
Mary Jenkins 54 of Hakin
buried 26th October 1906
the next entry in the register, over the page is
John Jenkins 54 of Hakin
buried 12th December 1906
both entries have O. G. against them
Death certificates needed to confirm  but seems to be them.

[Itterbysearch]

Trawler records and crews are held in the North Lincs Archives at Grimsby Town Hall

[Itterbysearch]

On the online index for the archives there is a J Jenkins aged 32 from Milford Haven sailing on the trawler Somerville from Grimsby in 1911. Described as Deck hand on one record and Bosun on a further record Ref 208/5/56/301

[BillyF]

You will be able to get a lot of info from the records at North East Lincs Archives, if or when they`re open to the public.
 I`ve a notebook of my father`s from when he was looking for someone, where he`s listed who the trawler belonged to  ( wrong grammar, but it`s late !! ) and I "think" who collected the wages . I`ll look tomorrow to see.

[Questor28]

Hi guys

That's great info. It has given me something to work on. Thanks for your help.