Engineer occupation: what is this?

[DaveWilcox]

Thank you all again for your posts and thoughts about my "engineer".

If Ruskie - or anyone else - wants to search for the "engineer", here is what i have:

His name is William Forrest.  His occupation was listed on the church record for his daughter Mary Ann's marriage to John Ellis at Toxteth Park in May 1866.  The couple were born about 1844 in Liverpool area according to subsequent Census records and remained in Toxteth Park for life.  Mary Ann's address at the time of marriage was 45 Gordon Street.  A modern day Gordon Street is located in Wavertree, just 2.0 miles from the church (Princes Park St. Paul).  I verified the existence of this Gordon Street in 1891 Census but could not find it in the 1881 Census.  The neighborhood was not present in ~1850.  I had hoped that Gordon St would lead me to a Wm. Forrest household in 1871 or 1861.  John Ellis, son of Joseph & Elizabeth Ellis, was probably born in Toxteth Park.  I have found no Mary Ann Forrest with father William born in this area.   Best candidate is a William & Martha Forrest in Salford, Manchester area; he was a sawyer if i read the occupation correctly.

Again, i have searched extensively for this Wm Forrest.  So beware.  But my feelings would not be hurt if someone else found him in 1861 or 1871.

Thanks.

- Neal

[hiszafer]

I found William with wife Mary Ann and daughters Elizabeth and Mary in 1861 census - parish of Blackburn in Lancashire. Daughter Eliz is 2 years and Mary 4 months

1871 census family is still in Blackburn and have added 3 more daughters and a son to the family - Jane, Barbara, Sarah and John

[DaveWilcox]

Hello hiszafer -

Hey thank you a whole lot for looking.  Remember i am looking for William Forrest, father of Mary Ann Forrest born about 1844 and who married John Ellis in 1866.

John and Mary Ann Ellis nee: Forrest had two sons by April 1871.  But where was Mary Ann Forrest daughter of William Forrest in 1861 when she would have been 16, five years prior to her marriage?  And where is her father William?

There is a Mary Ann Forrest born about 1845 in Penketh living at the Warrington Union Workhouse, working as a "master servant" apparently for both of the families operating the institution.  I could not find her in 1851 to try and learn her father's name.  Maybe the Penketh birth location is erroneous.

And as stated, there is a Mary A Forrest daughter of William & Martha born about 1845 at or near Salford, near Manchester according to 1851 Census.  But i cannot identify her in the 1861 Census.  To me, this is the best candidate because the names of Mary Ann's parents and one brother are found with the John & Mary Ann Ellis family.

Have i confused your further?  Please advise.

I greatly appreciate your efforts to help me; that is really nice......makes me feel good.

Regards,

- Neal

[cview42]

Neal,

One of my GGF's was listed severally as Engineer, Engine Fitter and Marine Engineer, seems to have travelled around UK, settling in Liverpool, presumably as a Marine Engineer. I'm currently going through the steamships around in his time, 1863, to try and get to the crew lists. Certification of Marine Engineers began in 1862 with Grade 1 and Grade 2, he had a grade 1, so presumably had been in charge of engines on steamships before they were introduced

Pete

[cview42]

Neal,

Just had a look on the Registered Marine Engineers list of 1867, and your GGfF's name was not on it.

Cheers Pete

[DaveWilcox]

Hi Pete -

Thanks for the help, two posts.

I would be shocked if this William Forrest i am searching for was an engineer in any modern sense.  I like what contributor stanmapstone said, someone who was associated with an engine.....of some sort.  I ask myself, was he embellishing his position by professing to be an engineer?

I have identified a possible candidate in the 1851 Census, based on circumstantial indicators (given names), but this would mean his daughter was born in a place different then that reported in 1871 and subsequent censuses.  Plus, this William Forrest was a sawyer.

Fun stuff.  Never quite enough information, always a barrier to hurdle.

Thanks again,

- Neal