Author Topic: Blacksmiths. 1850's and on.  (Read 9953 times)

Offline lanarkshire lassie

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Blacksmiths. 1850's and on.
« on: Tuesday 17 February 09 18:24 GMT (UK) »
I have 4x generations of Coventrys,  being blacksmiths,  from 1850's through till 1920's.

Was this the norm?, following a profession?

They originated from Ireland, 1840's.

Gail
McBride/Steele/McMaster/Tweed -County Antrim
Morrison-Lanarkshire/Edinburgh/Doune/Bo'ness
Coventry- Coatbridge/old monkland/ Kilmacolm/Port Glasgow/Ireland
Wylie- County Armagh/ Old Monkland.
Pender- Old Monkland.
Stirling- Old Monkland.

Offline willow154

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Re: Blacksmiths.
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 17 February 09 18:45 GMT (UK) »
Hi Gail,
Yes, he would have served an apprenticeship to learn his trade. Some apprenticeship were sent away to serve their apprenticeship elsewhere, but some would have been trained in their trade by their fathers, and the trade passed down through the family.
Her is a site which tells you about the Blacksmith's Guild.
http://www.blacksmithscompany.org.uk/Pages/History/History_Home.htm
I would imagine that their records are kept a the Guildhall Library in London, but some local archive offices have apprenticeship records which are very helpful in helping you trace your family history.
Hope this helps.
Paulene :)

Offline willow154

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Re: Blacksmiths. 1850's and on.
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 17 February 09 18:46 GMT (UK) »

Offline lanarkshire lassie

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Re: Blacksmiths. 1850's and on.
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 17 February 09 18:53 GMT (UK) »
Thanks Willow.

My grandfather, Joseph Coventry,  was a blacksmith. It wasn't till I traced the tree, that I found that this goes back about 4 generations.

I hadn't realised, that it was more commonplace, for sons to follow their father's professions.!

Gail
McBride/Steele/McMaster/Tweed -County Antrim
Morrison-Lanarkshire/Edinburgh/Doune/Bo'ness
Coventry- Coatbridge/old monkland/ Kilmacolm/Port Glasgow/Ireland
Wylie- County Armagh/ Old Monkland.
Pender- Old Monkland.
Stirling- Old Monkland.


Offline willow154

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Re: Blacksmiths. 1850's and on.
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 17 February 09 19:02 GMT (UK) »

Offline greenrig

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Re: Blacksmiths. 1850's and on.
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 17 February 09 19:27 GMT (UK) »
I also have generations of blacksmiths in my NEILSON line.

They were in Erskine in Renfrewshire for, at least, four generations, all blacksmiths. After about 1850 they moved into Glasgow and tended to become engineers and mechanics in the cotton and weaving trades.

From a 1796 MI in Erskine Churchyard  have this verse inscription which says something about the status of the blacksmith in 1700-1800s:

"Of all Mechanics we have Renown,
above the Hammer we wear the Crown". 


 -This with a relief sculpture of an arm and hand holding a hammer, with a crown above.
NEILSON - Erskine/Bishopton, Renfrewshire and Glasgow
BROWN - Hamilton, Lanarkshire
CAIRNS - Hamilton, Lanarkshire
FINDLAY - Kirriemuir area, Forfarshire/Angus
PORTER - Tobermore, Derry, Ireland

Offline lanarkshire lassie

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Re: Blacksmiths. 1850's and on.
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 17 February 09 19:34 GMT (UK) »
Thanks ,greenrig.

I have just read you post, and realised that the surname Neilson, is linked, through marriage.

My dad's brother, William Coventry, married an Olive Neilson. Believe that they married c 1952.

Strange that we have a surname in common, although, I do not know Mr Neilson's occupation.

Gail
McBride/Steele/McMaster/Tweed -County Antrim
Morrison-Lanarkshire/Edinburgh/Doune/Bo'ness
Coventry- Coatbridge/old monkland/ Kilmacolm/Port Glasgow/Ireland
Wylie- County Armagh/ Old Monkland.
Pender- Old Monkland.
Stirling- Old Monkland.

Offline dixons

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Re: Blacksmiths. 1850's and on.
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 18 February 09 12:44 GMT (UK) »
Every coal mine had its own group of blacksmiths. Apart from their many other tasks they repaired/sharpened miners working tools.

A photo of one such group can be seen on www.blantyrepast.com

dixons

Offline 46er

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Re: Blacksmiths. 1850's and on.
« Reply #8 on: Monday 02 March 09 22:08 GMT (UK) »
I am researching Isabel Neilson who was married to John McArthur.  She was born about 1793 in Renfrewshire, and her and John & family lived in Erskine in 1841.  I am trying to find her parents & siblings to see if she is connected to a Jean/Jane Neilson.  Any help will be appreciated!