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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Glamorganshire => Topic started by: Daiwalker on Tuesday 16 July 24 21:34 BST (UK)

Title: Fire Man
Post by: Daiwalker on Tuesday 16 July 24 21:34 BST (UK)
Hi all, my 3rd great grandfather's occupation in 1851 is Fire Man. His occupation in 1841 was Iron Founder ( casting iron in an iron foundry). Does this suggest that the occupation of Fire Man is related to an iron foundry? and if so, what would his job entail? He was living in Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend in 1851, what would be the nearest iron foundry? Thanks in advance for any help you could give, regards.
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: Cas (stallc) on Tuesday 16 July 24 23:15 BST (UK)
Some history - scroll down to bottom & see map.

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300018955-cefn-cribwr-ironworks-the-furnace-and-charging-house-cefn-cribwr

Only heard of a fire man in the colliery, not ironworks, but stand to be corrected. (Excluding Firefighter)

http://www.worldthroughthelens.com/family-history/old-occupations.php

See fireman

Cas
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: MollyC on Wednesday 17 July 24 08:48 BST (UK)
Fire Engine was a early name for a pumping engine, i.e. a steam-operated beam engine as used in mines, which may have used a Fire Man to produce the steam.  (Previously pumps were operated by horse-engines = horse-powered gins.)  By analogy, the name may have been transferred to someone who attended to a furnace generally.
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: west on Wednesday 17 July 24 10:02 BST (UK)
In the 1780s there was a industrial area in Cefn Cribwr called Bedford Park. If you go to the following web site it explains the history.

ggat.org.uk/cadw/great local sites/pdf/Bedford ironworkspdf.pdf

Hope this helps.

West.
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: MollyC on Wednesday 17 July 24 10:23 BST (UK)
I think that should be:

http://www.ggat.org.uk/cadw/great_local_sites/pdf/Bedford_Ironworks.pdf
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 17 July 24 10:54 BST (UK)
Old map showing Cefn Iron Works
https://maps.nls.uk/view/102342571#zoom=6&lat=2855&lon=3255&layers=BT
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: Daiwalker on Wednesday 17 July 24 18:26 BST (UK)
Thank you all for the replies, the iron foundry/ Bedford Iron works seems to have finished by 1836, but the link to the  map that was posted is brilliant. I would assume then that he was probably a stoker for some sort of steam engine, a colliery maybe? thanks anyway, regards.
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 17 July 24 18:49 BST (UK)
A "fireman/fire man" can be found in a range of employments - railways, ships, colliery and iron works etc..
The old map identifies the Cefn Iron works - so why plump for a colliery?. If you search Welsh newspapers you will find "Fire man/Fireman" in in various "Works" - not collieries.

What does come across in searching is just how dangerous this job could be, wherever employed.

pob lŵc
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: Daiwalker on Thursday 18 July 24 22:02 BST (UK)
Hello hanes teulu, thank you for your reply, assuming the Cefn Iron works is the Cefn Cribwr / Bedford Iron works, it says it was closed in 1836, my 3rd great grandfather was a fireman/ fire man in 1851, this is why I assumed if he was living in Cefn Cribwr  he was possibly fire man in one of the other industries stated on the map, a colliery or brickworks maybe? your suggestions would be gratefully received. Regards.
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: mckha489 on Friday 19 July 24 01:52 BST (UK)
Deleted
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: hanes teulu on Friday 19 July 24 08:34 BST (UK)
If you check the article at #*1 about Cefn Cribbwr Iron Works you will see reference to Cefn Cwsc Iron Works

Check it out on Welsh newspapers eg
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3294126/3294130/22/cefn%2BOR%2Bcwsc

Where he did work can only be speculation.

Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: Daiwalker on Sunday 21 July 24 10:33 BST (UK)
Thank you very much for this information, Hanes Teulu; it is extremely helpful. It seems that between the late 1830s and late 1840s, the iron-making industry in Cefn Cribwr experienced a bit of a decline. Despite this, the area remained rich in resources and facilities for iron production, with good transport links enabling the sale of these resources to ironworks in the broader region. Consequently, there was still ample work for my third great-grandfather, William, as a "Fire Man," whether in the colliery, coke works, or brickworks, all of which were still connected to the iron industry. Many Regards and thank You.
Title: Re: Fire Man
Post by: hanes teulu on Sunday 21 July 24 10:43 BST (UK)
Croeso.
Enjoyed checking that locale - very familiar with the area.