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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: garethnash on Tuesday 19 August 08 14:22 BST (UK)
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I am struggling to find a George Frederick Nash on the census returns but think I may have him.
Problem is my connection is loose. He is on his sons birth certificate as a "SIGNAL FITTER" but the one I have on the 1891 census says "linesman GWR electric".
Are the two occupations connected? I think they would be as I am guessing signals replaced linesman somewhat?
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A signal fitter would have installed and repaired the mechanical signals. A linesman would have (and still is!) been responsible for warning others working on the track that a train was approaching. I would guess he changed jobs - a linesman is a very responsible position.
I am stumped by "GWR electric" - I'm not aware that they had electric trains then. I will investigate further... :)
meles
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Ah - I think I might have it. There were indeed no electric locomotives at that time.
However, the GWR was the first railway company to install electric telegraph beside its lines. So maybe he was the linesman whilst they were installing and repairing the telegraph wires.
meles
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Sorry just realised my original post was wrong. He was a signal fitter in 1898 on his sons marriage (not birth certicifcate!) this is some 7 years after he is listed in the 1891 census as a "linesman GWR electric".
Does this seem right?
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I think it all stands up still. A change of job. The linesman would have been a foreman too, so a promotion.
meles
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Problem is he is listed as a lineseman 7 years BEFORE he is listed as a signal fitter. So would this have been a downward move then?
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We don't know what his responsibilities as a signal fitter was. He could have been the foreman there too. He might have been responsible for some of the complicated signal boxes at junctions/large stations.
meles
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Thanks for that. Its always a big problem being certain. This side of my family is a nightmare to as every one of my male ancestors on it was called George Frederick Nash and its addled(?) my brain.
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From "The Dictionary of Occupational Terms"
Lineman, electric signal (railway).Lineman, telegraph; telephone lineman (railways). fits up, overhauls and repairs as necessary, overhead lines and signal box instruments for telegraphs or telephones in connection with the railway signalling system.
Stan
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Stan, thats brilliant and does fit nicely with what I want lol. Sometimes have to be careful you dont make things fit but in this case it does seem to.
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That fits neatly, Stan.
But gareth used the term "linesman" who did what I described.
I guess the 1891 enumerator got it wrong and wrote "linesman" when he should have used "lineman"
meles
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Some other terms.
A Signal Lineman, aka Signal Fitter, was usually one of a gang engaged in periodic inspection and repair of lines of wire, etc. connecting signals with signal boxes, or on construction of new signal lines.
A Railway Signal Fitter specialised in fitting the railway signal mechanism, erecting the signals, and connecting them with boxes and instals levers etc. in the signal box.
Stan
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That fits neatly, Stan.
But gareth used the term "linesman" who did what I described.
I guess the 1891 enumerator got it wrong and wrote "linesman" when he should have used "lineman"
meles
The OED has Lineman A man employed to attend to the condition of a railway, telegraph, or telephone line.
A Linesman, apart from the obvious sporting variety :) is defined as One who attends to the upkeep of roadside verges.
Stan
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Stan and Meles - doing a little jig here as I think it fits perfectly.
As it goes it may actually say lineman on the census as it has line through it and not the easiest to read.
Wondeful, simply wonderful.
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;D
meles
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Linesman deals with anything electrical and fitter anything mechanical. :o