RootsChat.Com
Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: pwenlock on Tuesday 02 May 06 16:03 BST (UK)
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One of my ancestors is recorded in the 1871 England Census as being a railway engine driver and living in the Nechells area of Aston, Birmingham.
Would any poster know of which railway compnay he is likely to be working for and also whether there are any readily accessible railway employee records either at the PRO or online.
Many thanks
Paul
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One or two of my husband's ancestors were also Railway engine drivers living in Aston. They worked for the GWR.
The Cheshire Records Office have a database which might contain your ancestor. I'll check the url and put it here.
Gadget
Here we are, it's :
http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/Recordoffice/Railways/Home.htm
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Good afternoon Gadget
Many thanks for the detailed & speedy reply.
Interesting (from my perspective) is the fact his two brothers were living at the same address & were listed as "Railway Engine Cleaners"
Paul
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Thanks Gadget
Drew a blank on that search using both a number of variations on the spelling. I'll just have to keep searching
P
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Sorry about that. It's the only online source that I know of for that area.
There are records at Kew I believe :(
Gadget
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What name were you looking for Paul ?
..... Fresh eyes and all that !!
Annie ;) ;)
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Hi Annie
Here is the summary transcript of the 1871 census record:
Thomas MATTHEWS 29 Railway Engine Driver Born in Aston, Warwickshire
William MATTHEWS 20 Railway Engine Cleaner Born in Aston, Warwickshire
George MATTHEWS 14 Railway Engine Cleaner Born in Aston, Warwickshire
Rgds
Paul
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try contacting aslef the train drivers union, they kept very good records.
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Do ASLEF's records go back that far Kali ???
Paul - I checked the Cheshire site but found nothing like you :( Also checked Other refs on the Occ board - PRO seems only full source :(
Gadget
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hello gadget,
aslef was formed in 1880 so the driver mentioned and the two cleaners (who would then possibly be firemen) could be in the records and thier whole service record could be there, kali.
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You live and learn - thought it was later :-\
Well it's a poss then Kali that they're there - was ASLEF a closed shop from 1880 though? Thought it took a while to build up - or did they collect info anyway?
Gadget
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i really can't guarantee anything, but i was on the railway for 43 years, (train driver retired) and from what i understand they kept all there records also it was a father to son job and a job for life so you could find them at a later date, the union was formed for drivers and firemen only (fireman was the line of promotion to driver you became a passed fireman and then driver, if you lived long enough, as you only got your job when a driver died, creating a vacancy, kali.
the address is:-9 arkwright rd, hampstead, london, nw3 6ab
tel. 020-7317-6406.
www.aslef.org.uk. email- info@aslef.org.uk
all the best, kali.
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Thanks Kali & Gadget
Looks like my weekend job is drafting a letter to ASLEF
Regards
Paul
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The three main companies serving Birmingham in the 19th century were the Midland, London and North Western and Great Western.
I believe railway staffing records (such as remain) are at the Public Record Office in London. They are online at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/default.htm and it may be worth making an enquiry there.
Brian W
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Thanks Brian
Much appreciate the link
Paul