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Hello, I have come across your site whilst trying to find out more details re cork cutting. I am researching my family tree and have found out via my grandmother's wedding certificate that her father(my gt grandfather) was a foreman cork cutter. His name was Walter Benjamin Briten born approx 1848 in Pulham  Norfolk. On 1861 census he is registered as apprentice cork cutter (14 years old) address 40 Bartholomew Thorn Lane. He then disappeared ( I think he went to Belfast...waiting for confirmation from GRO Belfast) returned to wed in Sunderland 1882 where he describes his trade as a mariner and then turns up on 1891 census 233 Kirk St Byker Newcastle and trade is once again cork cutter. 1901 census has him at 231 Kirk st and trade foreman cork cutter then he leaves the trade (possibly because its dying out) and in 1911 on my grandmothers second marriage certificate and on census form from Uxbridge  he has entered the hotel trade together with one of his sons.

maramalade45