Blacksmith Portsmouth Dockyard

[Genegenee]

A long shot I know!

Has any any information on the Blacksmiths shop in Portsmouth Dockyard or even better a photograph?

Many thanks.

J

[suttontrust]

Have you tried the local library or Record Office?  They could be a good source of pictures and/or information.

[Genegenee]

Hi,

Unfortunately I am not in Hampshire - I feel an excuse for a short break!   Thank you.

Jackie

[suttontrust]

Most local libraries and Record Offices are contactable by email.  Or try the Hampshire board - some kind person might do it for you.

[Little Nell]

Hi Jackie,

This is a link to the Portsmouth Record Office

http://www.portsmouthrecordsoffice.co.uk/

and this one for the Portsmouth Museum Potral

http://www.portsmouthmuseums.co.uk/

And this one for the Dockyard:

http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/welcome.html

Someone may well be able to help or you may find something on one of these sites.

Nell

[Genegenee]

Hi Nell,

Thanks for the links.  I'll have a look now and send them an email.

Kind regards,

Jackie

[Headbanger Veron]

A long shot I know!

Has any any information on the Blacksmiths shop in Portsmouth Dockyard or even better a photograph?

Many thanks.

J

Just seen this. My GG grandfather was the Master Smith at Portsmouth dockyard when he retired in about 1890. According to a record compiled by my father, he had 800 men working under him at that time. I have a photo of him, but not of the dockyard or the blacksmith's shop. I know they gave him a gold watch when he retired! I don't know if that's any help to you but it's about as much as I know.

Regards, Veron

[Genegenee]

Hi Veron,

All information is gratefully rec'd.

My Maternal Great Grandmother and my Great Great Grnadmothers both married Blacksmiths that worked in Portsmouth Dockyard - they were;

Edwin George KING b c1842 m Eliza Amelia Phillips
John Phillips b c1819 m Ann Rouse.

I know the Dockyard and the amount of people that worked there as I was born in that area.  I remember back in the sixties the 4 o'clock rush on a Friday - you couldn't move for bikes lol.

I did send an email to the Maritime Musuem and Portsmouth Library some time ago but with no response although the Library has been very helpful in the past.

Jackie

[Headbanger Veron]

My GG grandfather was called George Thomas Craddock, he was born in Sheerness in 1825 into a whole family of dockyard workers, mostly blacksmiths. He worked his way up through the apprenticeship system, and eventually moved to Portsmouth with most of his family, in about 1872.

His wife, Jane Pearce, was born in Pembroke but her father Robert had come from Devonport, and they met when Robert was posted to Sheerness.

From what I can gather, skilled workmen seemed to be posted to where they were needed fairly often - I've come across another lot, who moved from Woolwich, to Portsmouth, and back to Woolwich again. Presumably the chance of promotion would encourage you to move as well!

Cheers Veron