Franpow:Don't knock yourself: I've been at this for 11 years and even those with more years' experience are still learning (and making mistakes!)
So far, as the Gingerbeer King goes, we learn to pick up clues, with experience (and get practice with who-dunnits!
) You soon get to notice things like
manufacturer v
maker, and
independent means v [a self-employed]
shoemaker.
As for the gingerbeer recipe and baker connection, I can bake bread with
real yeast, and I'm old enough to have made traditional gingerbeer and hippie enough to still do so occasionally!
I too find the Nat Archives confusing, despite being a qualified librarian - just go the site and search for Fred. There may be legal documents relating to any of his dealings. Request a quote first if there are loads of pages - can be expensive for large files. They email them instantly.
Personally, I would start with the University of Nottingham archives (online) - I found business papers of my WALLISes which gave me info that I didn't already have. If you find anything particular, you can probably buy photocopies, by telephoning the library, if you don't live within reach.
Derby Record offices are very likely to have business documents and Fred's Will. It is likely to give you more names and it will give you the size of his estate. There is a list somewhere of Derby Wills - maybe someone on here knows the web address... hmm, maybe on the Wirkswirth site: gives the date they were
drawn up. ( One of my mistakes: I spent several years looking for my G Grandfather's death circa the date on the Will list... finally found it a couple of years ago - 24 years
after the Will date!
C'est la vie.)
Do keep us posted on your progress and PM me if you think I can help - but no guarantees!
