Tyne and Wear Shipwrights

[Irene -ships]

I have  tried several avenues of research , in Northumbrian archives, to locate my ancestor who described himself as coming from North Shields in the 1851 census. I have a trail from Portsmouth to Pembroke Dock after 1810.   His early life is a mystery, apart from his approximate birth and profession,  ie 1780 and a shipwright.
 Please can someone suggest how I might find Thomas HARRISON when I do not know the place of birth, nor his father's name.  I had not realized how well used the HARRISON name was until I tried to find Thomas.  Being over 300 miles away from the Tyne and Wear area adds to the problem.  I am hoping that Rootschat is the answer to this long-standing brick wall.
I will appreciate all suggestions of help with this - thank you.

[abergynolwyn]

You will find a certain amount of information on Thomas Harrison, shipwright, and his family in Richard Rose's 'Pembroke People', Otterquill Books, 2000. See www.otterquillbooks.com
I hope this is useful.
Abergynolwyn

[Ermintrude46]

Do you know when he died?  Could this be him? http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=-5375018&CATLN=7&Highlight=%2CTHOMAS%2CHARRISON%2CSHIPWRIGHTS&accessmethod=0  Might be a clue in there, if so.  Superannuated suggests that he was in receipt of a Greenwich pension which may mean there is documentation about his service/entitlement somewhere in the depths of Kew
Ermy

[Ermintrude46]

Doh, pressed quote instead of modify!

[abergynolwyn]

Yes, the superannuated shipwright who died on 15.2.1853 was definitely Thomas Harrison of Pembroke Dock.  Since shipwrights were recruited from other Royal Dockyards and since Harrison's wife came from Portsmouth then research into shipwrights at Portsmouth Dockyard might fill in some of the gaps in his life.

Abergynolwyn

[Irene -ships]

Hi to abergynolwyn  and Ermintrude46 . I have only just accessed the Rootschat website after a long absence so I hope you will not mind the joint thankyou letter. Somehow I could not find the link to reply to you individually.
The superannuated shipwright is my ancestor and it delighted me to find some extra information after several years fruitless searching.
Some very kind people in Pembrokeshire have sent me details of Thomas Harrison from the excellent book called Pembrokeshire People by Richard Rose and I was also able to read the book at my main library and gain a few more facts about the extended family.  This does not reduce my gratitude to the people who have taken time to help me, so please accept a big thank you. The idea to search in Hampshire rather than Durham for background information on Thomas Harrison is an excellent idea, one which I will certainly follow up.
I intend to search in the Access 2 Archives for the other information suggested by Ermintrude 46. together with a search in the Greenwich Pensioners site. Luckily I have 1841 and 1851 census details of Thomas and his family in Pembrokeshire but the place of birth is so vague I was really struggling to go further back. Now maybe I have the end of thread that will slowly unravel the next generation Of the Harrison Family.
 Many many thanks,
Irene

[abergynolwyn]

Glad to have been of some help.
Abergynolwyn