My ancestor was a tin man.

[agoryliver]

I'm probably being naive but I am wondering exactly what a Tin-Man did for a living.
My only recollection of a Tin Man was from watching the Wizard of Oz as a child.
 
2 of my ancestors- William Tiley 1799-1858 from Eling & Stockbridge, Hampshire and Stephen Tiley 1829-1901 also of Eling and Stockbridge plus South Stoneham, Hampshire gave their occupation as Tin Man or chimney sweep when they had their children baptised.

As the overwhelming majority of my ancestors were labourers, it makes a pleasant change to have a couple of Tin Men and chimney sweeps.

Thanks in advance for your help, Gary.

[CaroleW]

A tinman was another name for a tinsmith - a person who worked with tin

It was also the name used for a tinker

[Murrell]

Hi Carol I too have relatives who were named to as Tinsmiths and not having fixed homes. As you say this is also known as Tinkers. Do you think they could have been recorded as Tinsmiths because they were of no fixed address? One of these relatives in the 1940's is  quoted as being a horsedealer, a change  professional of directions!!!!

[youngtug]

Shouldn't think that it was because of no fixed abode being that they would have served an apprenticeship to be tinsmiths.
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinsmith

[meles]

Tinsmiths - there are several in my tree - got little pay for hard work, and so would turn their hand to anything they could. Hence chimney sweep.

Mine did not go through apprenticeships, as far as I know. Though they did rent homes (in the worst part of town).

meles

[Murrell]

Hi  Meles, I think my people would not have done an apprentieship as it would appear that they travelled about the country side.  I have been told that in Ireland in the 1930's to move for work was not uncommon. I had just wondered if people used the term tinsmith to cover many tasks.