WESLEY - Straw Hat Manufacturers St. Albans

[specialkg]

That's okay.  No rush.

Betty

[benzon]

Hi there

I have just been researching one of my ancestors, a straw plaiter from St Albans. 

There is some interesting general info on -

www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/topics/t012-strawhats.htm

and
www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/occupations/straw-plait.htm. 

One says that in the 1881 census for St Albans Abbey Parish there were some 500 people linked to the industry. 

I had not realised that St Albans was a centre for the straw hat industry.  I think we always associate Luton because the football team are called the hatters but there were obviously a great many in St Albans also connected to the industry.

Hope this helps your general research.

Cheers
Denise

[specialkg]

Thanks Denise for sending me these two sites.

My knowledge has certainly increased since I started this genealogy business.  I just wish I had a better memory!!

I will away and look at the two sites.

Thanks again.

Betty

[muriel walker]

In case of interest, a sampler thought to be worked by Anne Wesley who was born in January,  1857 in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, is for sale on EBay.  Her father, William worked as a straw bonnet blocker, and her mother, Ann,  who hailed from Barby in Northamptonshire,  sewed straw bonnets. If you're a Wesley descendant you can see a picture of the sampler, worked by Anne when she was eight.

[specialkg]

Thanks for taking the time to post this information.
Much appreciated.

Betty