Windmill Millers of Suffolk

[windy_miller]

Jenny,

I know its not much but I hope to add over time.  I'm currently check parish records at Ipswich Records Office (Baptisms record occupations from 1813) but have only got to letter C so far, so it'll be a while before I get to Monweden or Snape.  I keep unfinished (ha!) bits separate and add them to the db later, so I've just checked my Benhall PR xls.

George & Hannah Kitson (miller) had son Ginger Thomas Graciton Kitson baptised 1820/05/19, but I have to say the date is confusing as Geo. Kitson did not marry Hannah Rows until 1822?

They then baptised George Thomas Kitson 1823/05/19.

As for what goes into my DB....anything that relates to ownership or employment of a mill (wind, water, animal or steam)....facts to unsourced family hearsay (things that might be forgotten over time).  I'm not to fussy.  If the info has a source, great, otherwise I enter it as unsourced until I find corroboration.

Happy hunting!
Windy

[Jill2011]

Hi this is a total long shot but you never know unless you ask.

I am searching for an Elisha Girdlestone. He married Mary Goft or Croft in 1741 Barham, Suffolk. They had a son Zurishaddai 1752 in Wells next the Sea. He went on to become a Miller in Norfolk.

The only Elisha I can find is an attorney but I dont think this is the right father as in his Will there is no mention of Zurishaddai.

Could Zurishaddai father have also been a miller. Have you come across him?

Any help or advice you could give I would be most grateful
Jill

[windy_miller]

Hi Jill,

I'm afraid I have nothing to date on any Girdlestone in Suffolk being connected to milling.  Generally speaking my database only goes back to 1813 (baptism records with occupations listed).  I don have other stuff but this tends to be peice meal and rather random (fire insurance policies, wills, etc).  However, I'll stick a note in my db andd if any thing comes up I'll drop you an email.

I'm also interested in the wells connection.  I've just checked there is nothing to do with girdlestone's at Wells though there are mentions at Aylsham and Banningham.  I'm sure Jonathan Neville would be grateful of any further info you could pass him at www.norfolkmills.co.uk.

Happy hunting,
Windy

[Jill2011]

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly I will certainly pass on information regarding the Norfolk Millers.

We also have another Miller in the family Robert Girdlestone b1831. Originally a Miller in Norfolk then in 1876 he was at Kirkley. In 1881 hes recorded as a Sand paper machine? In 1891 in Kessingland as a Mill wright. He died in 1895.

If you would like more information let me know what you would like.

[windy_miller]

Hi Jill,

There were 2 mills at Krkley and he is not listed for either (maybe he was a journeyman miller employed by either Mr. Cleveland or Mr. Parker?).  I've drawn a blank for Kessingland as well.

Windy

[Jill2011]

Thank you for looking Windy. Would there be any records anywhere other than census records if they were a Journeyman miller. Would their employers have kept any records or would these have long been destroyed? As you can tell Im knew at looking up this occupation and the Mills they may have worked in.

On census records in 1851 Robert Girdlestone is recorded as a Journeyman Miller at Brisley Norfolk, 1861 recorded as a Milliner (not sure what the difference is?) at Norwich. Then in 1871 he is recorded as a Master Miller at Mill House Stalham, Smallburgh, Norfolk. On one of his sons birth cert in 1876 he is recorded as a Miller living at Mill Cottage, Kirkley. In 1881 he is living at 3 St Leonard Terrace, St Leonards Road, Kessingland.

I do think as you say he may have worked for someone else.

[Suffolk Mawther]

recorded as a Journeyman Miller at Brisley Norfolk, 1861 recorded as a Milliner (not sure what the difference is?) at Norwich.

A bit of a difference 
a milliner make hats, usually nice ones for women.

I think you know what a miller does 

Pat ...

(lovely to see the sails and the fan tail going round at Saxtead mill a couple of days ago in the light breeze).

[windy_miller]

Hi Jill,

As Pat says a Miliner is not a miller so I suspect it is an error, and that he was a miller rather than a miliner.

So it seems he was a JM Miller first and progressed to Master Miller (that still suggests he worked for someone else and as a foreman-type miller), often JM Miller put down they were Millers.

You could ask if anyone has a Girdlestone listed in any of the half dozen parishes he seems to have lived.  Marriage records from about 1837 and Baptisms from about 1813 list occupations and some have been digitized.

I've always found other Rooters very helpful with digging up this sort of info.  Alternatively if your in Ipswich or Norwich the Record Offices will have these sorts of details on microfilm.

I hope this help & good luck,

Windy

[windy_miller]

Hi Pat,

I'm Suffolk way next weekend so will pass Saxted.  Hopefully she'll be turnin'.

Whats happening at Drinkstone?

Windy