RootsChat.Com

Census Lookups General Lookups => Census and Resource Discussion => Topic started by: Nick29 on Wednesday 20 July 11 11:31 BST (UK)

Title: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: Nick29 on Wednesday 20 July 11 11:31 BST (UK)
There's a new database on Ancestry just launched....


British Postal Service Appointment Books, 1737-1969


http://www.ancestry.co.uk/Occupations
Title: British postal Service Appointments on line
Post by: Ringrose on Wednesday 20 July 11 11:35 BST (UK)
You never know what you will find when you switch on your computer . Today I noticed that Ancestry have put the Brotish Poatal Service Records on line  from 1737 -1969. I knew my Mum was a telephonist and sure enough there she was with 4 entries fron 1928 -1934. It does not tell you much but from my point of view it tells me whem my granparents moved away from Fulham to Hounslow . The first 3 entries are London appointments and the last in 1934 is Hounslow. I have not looked for her under her married name but Im about to do so.I also foond out that my aunt joined the postal service in 1948.
Ringrose
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: malverntrail on Wednesday 20 July 11 14:38 BST (UK)
Anyone know of a good source to crack the appointment records abbreviations - lots of the positions are shortened in some way? Thanks.
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: kerryb on Wednesday 20 July 11 16:25 BST (UK)
Fantastic news, that's the one I have been waiting for!  My great grandfather was Post Master in Surrey.

Off to ancestry

Kerry  ;D
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: Nick29 on Thursday 21 July 11 11:02 BST (UK)
Sadly I've not been able to find my own father in this database, even though he worked as a mail sorter in the London sorting office (SEDO) between 1956 and 1963.
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: Nick29 on Thursday 21 July 11 11:04 BST (UK)
Anyone know of a good source to crack the appointment records abbreviations - lots of the positions are shortened in some way? Thanks.

Try posting your queries in the "Occupation interests" or "Decyphering and Recognition Help" sections  :)
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: malverntrail on Thursday 21 July 11 11:42 BST (UK)
Thanks.

Someone on Ancestry Facebook page has just pointed out that there is a list on the British Postal Museum and Archives site - right at the end of their Family History Research Guide (pdf, http://postalheritage.org.uk/page/3292/Family-History-Research-Guide)  I'll copy most of this to my blog post at http://cutlock.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/getting-posted-to-the-post-office/ for easier access.
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: kerryb on Thursday 21 July 11 16:25 BST (UK)
Sadly I've not been able to find my own father in this database, even though he worked as a mail sorter in the London sorting office (SEDO) between 1956 and 1963.
I didn't find my great grandfather either, however I did manage to find all 4 of his children including my gran who worked in the PO, the two girls as telephonists and 1 son as a sorter at the start of the war and 1 as a postman.  Now that was a surprise to me that they all followed in their dad's footsteps!

Kerry
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: Paul Caswell on Saturday 23 July 11 18:08 BST (UK)
Are lookups allowed?

My Ancestry membership has lapsed and I would like to see the original page of my Gt Uncle Edward Cyril Drury's appointment in 1914. He is transcribed as Edwd C Drury.

There's also a couple of entries for Chas W E Drury around the same time which may be of interest.

Thanks if someone can help.

Paul
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: malverntrail on Saturday 23 July 11 18:34 BST (UK)
Re Edwd C Drury - entry doesn't say much (not many of them do):

Nov 1914: Nomination 239010, Edwd C Drury, Asst Pman, LPS  (London Postal Service)

And
Jan 1914: Nomination 241069 Chas W.e. Drury, Sklld Wkn, Engr London, minute E13816
Jun 1914 - ditto last entry except Sklld Wkman II (second class)
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: stonechat on Saturday 23 July 11 19:04 BST (UK)
As one who helped index this I had a few people I hoped to find - unfortunately all missing though
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: Paul Caswell on Saturday 23 July 11 21:57 BST (UK)
Thanks malverntrail, greatly appreciated. :)

Paul
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: Paul Caswell on Sunday 24 July 11 12:46 BST (UK)
Re Edwd C Drury - ...
Jan 1914: Nomination 241069 Chas W.e. Drury, Sklld Wkn, ...

That would have been his father! I had no idea Charles W had anything to do with the post office. Are there any other references to him, especially the "E" because as far as I know he only had the one middle initial?

Paul
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: malverntrail on Sunday 24 July 11 13:47 BST (UK)
Paul

I can see just the one other entry:

July 1912: nomination 182348, Chas W Drury, Unest Skd Workman, Engr Dept, minute E39020/13

(Unest - unestablished, not pensionable)

Not sure if you can get further info via the minute reference - check Family History Research Guide (pdf) available on the British Postal Museum and Archive website http://postalheritage.org.uk/page/genealogy  You may be able to find a pension record reference there, too.

John
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: Paul Caswell on Sunday 24 July 11 17:55 BST (UK)
Thank you John, most appreciated!

Paul
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: coombs on Monday 25 July 11 14:23 BST (UK)
My grandfather was a postman and he was first appointed in March 1930 so he would have been almost 17. He was reappointed in 1932 aged 19. Southend division. Good discovery.
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: 0121mariec on Monday 25 July 11 14:44 BST (UK)
Does anyone know if the library version of Ancestry has this collection?  Just found 6 people listed and would love to know the info on them. Marie
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: kaz on Tuesday 06 September 11 01:20 BST (UK)
Gosh, can i be really cheeky and ask for a look up too  :-[

I'm looking for info on  this chap:

British Postal Service Appointment Books, 1737-1969 

"Hubert D R Parr"

Many thanks  :)
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: malverntrail on Tuesday 06 September 11 09:00 BST (UK)
kaz

Two records appear for Hubert D R Parr:

March 1904, appointment minute 14769, to R Pman (Rural postman) Leatherhead to W Horley

November 1906: minute E26729, to T Pman (temporary??), Walton on Thames

Hope that is of interest

John
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: Nick29 on Tuesday 06 September 11 09:22 BST (UK)
As one who helped index this I had a few people I hoped to find - unfortunately all missing though

I feel the same way.  I helped index this one too.  I only had one person in the family who worked for the Post Office - my dad - who joined in 1956, and he's not on the list !  ::)
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: kerryb on Tuesday 06 September 11 14:19 BST (UK)
Hi Nick

I'm glad it's not just me, despite various searches for my great grandfather by name, dates etc I cannot find him.  He worked for years with the PO firstly as a clerk and then as a sub post officemaster.  He just doesn't appear.

Are there records missing or is he just misfiled somewhere?  Anyone got any ideas?

Kerry
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: kaz on Tuesday 06 September 11 23:16 BST (UK)
kaz

Two records appear for Hubert D R Parr:

March 1904, appointment minute 14769, to R Pman (Rural postman) Leatherhead to W Horley

November 1906: minute E26729, to T Pman (temporary??), Walton on Thames

Hope that is of interest

John


Thanks so much John - I really appreciate it and every bit helps in family history,lol

Kaz
Title: Re: New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books
Post by: jc26red on Wednesday 07 September 11 06:19 BST (UK)
well I never, just being nosey by reading through this thread when I noticed someone mention telephonist... well my MIL was one when she was a gal but didn't this index would cover that.  So on the off-chance I've just done a quick check and there she is   ;D
1937! MIL is now 91 with full faculties, so I don't think I will be telling her that her work records are on ancestry...sssh!  ;)