New Ancestry database - British Post Office Appointment Books

[Nick29]

There's a new database on Ancestry just launched....


British Postal Service Appointment Books, 1737-1969


http://www.ancestry.co.uk/Occupations

[Ringrose]

You never know what you will find when you switch on your computer . Today I noticed that Ancestry have put the Brotish Poatal Service Records on line  from 1737 -1969. I knew my Mum was a telephonist and sure enough there she was with 4 entries fron 1928 -1934. It does not tell you much but from my point of view it tells me whem my granparents moved away from Fulham to Hounslow . The first 3 entries are London appointments and the last in 1934 is Hounslow. I have not looked for her under her married name but Im about to do so.I also foond out that my aunt joined the postal service in 1948.
Ringrose

[malverntrail]

Anyone know of a good source to crack the appointment records abbreviations - lots of the positions are shortened in some way? Thanks.

[kerryb]

Fantastic news, that's the one I have been waiting for!  My great grandfather was Post Master in Surrey.

Off to ancestry

Kerry 

[Nick29]

Sadly I've not been able to find my own father in this database, even though he worked as a mail sorter in the London sorting office (SEDO) between 1956 and 1963.

[Nick29]

Anyone know of a good source to crack the appointment records abbreviations - lots of the positions are shortened in some way? Thanks.

Try posting your queries in the "Occupation interests" or "Decyphering and Recognition Help" sections 

[malverntrail]

Thanks.

Someone on Ancestry Facebook page has just pointed out that there is a list on the British Postal Museum and Archives site - right at the end of their Family History Research Guide (pdf, http://postalheritage.org.uk/page/3292/Family-History-Research-Guide)  I'll copy most of this to my blog post at http://cutlock.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/getting-posted-to-the-post-office/ for easier access.

[kerryb]

Sadly I've not been able to find my own father in this database, even though he worked as a mail sorter in the London sorting office (SEDO) between 1956 and 1963.

I didn't find my great grandfather either, however I did manage to find all 4 of his children including my gran who worked in the PO, the two girls as telephonists and 1 son as a sorter at the start of the war and 1 as a postman.  Now that was a surprise to me that they all followed in their dad's footsteps!

Kerry

[Paul Caswell]

Are lookups allowed?

My Ancestry membership has lapsed and I would like to see the original page of my Gt Uncle Edward Cyril Drury's appointment in 1914. He is transcribed as Edwd C Drury.

There's also a couple of entries for Chas W E Drury around the same time which may be of interest.

Thanks if someone can help.

Paul