Silk Mill Derby

[captainjackdi]

Hi
does anyone know if there are any records for silk mill derby - I understand there was a fire at some point - alot of my relatives are listed occupations as silk mill hand, silk weaver, silk doubler etc around 1850 -1860's

[spendlove]

Hi,
Think you should be aware that there was more than 1 silk factory in Derby in
the 1800's.

Contact details for the Museum at Derby Silk Mill are:-
Derby's Museum of Industry and History 
Silk Mill Lane, off Full Street, Derby, DE1 3AF
telephone: 01332 255308
fax: 01332 255108

You could also try a search on A2A, however I have never found any employee records
relating to this mill.
Spendlove

[derby girl]

There is a book - "The Old Derby Silk Mill and its Rivals" by Harry Butterton  - very interesting it is too - he seems to have much f his research in the Local Studies Library in Irongate, and also the Museum - which I also take to be the Inudstrial Museum in the Silk Mill rather than Derby Museum in the Wardwick.  He does name a number of people. such as wm hutton who worked there from the age of 7 and had high pattens specially made for him to reach the machinery.
If you give me a name I'll look to see if they are men tioned in the book.
Regards
Derby Girl

[derby girl]

Oops!  I was mising it up with another book - it's an interesting read, but doesn't contain many extra names to the Census.  My apologies.
Sorry
Derby Girl

[willow154]

Hi,
Wonder if it's this one?
A fire took place on 2 June 1875. The first Cotton Mill was built in Sutton by the Unwin Family c1770. It changed hands in 1851, and became a Silk Mill, before being heavily damaged by fire in 1875. After some years of standing empty, the factory re-opened and continued in use until the early 1970's, when it was again ravaged by fire.
The dates are a bit out, but thought it might be a possibility.
If you think it is I'll send you a link so you can see a photograph.
Kind regards,
Paulene

[spendlove]

Hi,

Unwin's Cotton Mill was in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, think we are
looking for Silk Mill actually in Derby.

The present day Museum in Derby "Silk Mill" houses a collection of Industrial items including details of the History of the building as a Silk Mill.  As far as I am aware no records have survived for any employees of this building.

Must stress that in the 1800's there were other "Silk Mills" in Derby, again as far as
I am aware no employee records survive.

Contact detail for the present day Derby Silk Mill are as previous post.

Hope this helps.
Spendlove.

[willow154]

Hi again,
You're quite right, Spendlove - just checked again.  Put a search in for silk mills specifying Derby and it came up
Seemed to fit the bill, so assumed it was Derby. Teach me to check!
Will keep on looking - hopefully something will turn up.
Kind regards,
 Paulene

[willow154]

Hi captainjackdi,
I've found details of one which burnt down in 1826 and again in 1910, and this one was definitely in Derby. Think these dates fit in  with what you're hoping to find? Details to follow.
Kind regards,
Paulene
P.S. Sorry for misleading you the first time.
 
 

[willow154]

Hi derbygirl,
Sounds like it's the same mill - Lombe's. It certainly does have a fascinating history, doesn't it. Might pop and have a read of the book next time I visit Derby. Thank you for mentioning it.
Captainjackdi,
There are various photographs of the mill and a potted history (mentions both fires) on www.picturethepast.org
Like spendlove said, employee records are unlikely, though they do have records regarding the mill's history, etc.
Did wonder if  apprenticeship records might list names of people who served their apprenticeships there, but apparently there are none for the actual city - and they would probably relate more to the earlier period.
("Hutton’s authority is the best, for he served an apprenticeship of seven years in the mill").
Anyway, captainjackdi - good luck with the hunt.
Some lovely photos on the above site + interesting facts.
Kind regards,
Paulene