gas hook maker

[amersidelaw]

The Tromans family, Rowley Regis , in the 1861 census Daniel Tromans (1848) was a Gas Hook maker.
Can anyone tell me what this occupation involved.
The rest of the family seem to be Nailers.

[Lynntony]

I've seen Nailer and gas hook maker described a a single occupation on some census returns. I'm wondering if it was something to do with making the wall/ceiling hooks to hang gas mantles from. Doubtless someone will come along with something a little more positive!

Tony

[amersidelaw]

That makes sense it will be interesting to see if there are any other explanations

[Cathymjp]

I am not sure if this is of any help but the following family history link has a section on the bottom of the page about a lamplighter using a hook in his work in lighting the street gas lamps.

http://leatherlandancestry.info/9.html

Cathy

[Lynntony]

Just wondered if you'd seen this article on the Troman family from the Black Country Bugle?

http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/News/Family-history-of-the-jews-harp-making-clans-of-Rowleybrand-round-about-2.htm

Tony

[amersidelaw]

Thanks everyone for suggestions the article was very interesting I'm sure that my branch of the Tromans family fit in somewhere just got to find the missing link.
Seasons Greetings
Amersidelaw

[kimhulme]

I'm not patronising but because there is such a lot of goodwill amongst 'Rootschatters' I've searched until I found a small gas hook - inherited??? from my father (with lots of other pluming junk) Got my camera which had been inadvertantly left in the car, photographed the hook and downloaded it etc. This is about half inch size. My father called them 'gas hooks'.
They were used for securing lead gas pipes. Gas pipes being thin walled were not as heavy as water pipes, which would have a saddle clip with 2 screws. The gas hooks for larger gas pipes  - say up to 2 inches or more were of a slightly different design (I'm not going out into the shed to search for one) and had a larger  bit to hit with a hammer  -and cold chisel finally. The bigger ones were the bane of my life. My father used them (and me) to secure rainwater spouts to walls and expected me as an apprentice to drive the devils into the brick joints without using wooden plugs first.

[amersidelaw]

Many Thanks Kimhulme for the info and picture. Isn't this the best site in the world for finding great, helpful people.
Have a good Christmas, don't get lost in the plumbing relics
amersidelaw

[Lynntony]

Kimhulme,
I think you've solved the puzzle! These would fit in perfectly alongside nail making.

BTW I bet your father told you that the training would come in useful one day - and has again, as with fathers everywhere, been proved correct!!  

Well done!

Tony