Do you have corkcutter ancestors?

[Athenalaz]

Thanks, Cheryl, for that wealth of information - it's really helped to paint a clearer picture of my ancestors.

Much appreciated - Leah

[macphail]

I read the article in PFH about Cork-cutters. My 4xGt Grandfather was a cork-cutter. George Sampson was born in London 1783 & moved to Uttoxeter before marrying there in 1808. From what I have so far, his father John died in 1797 and most of his siblings had died young. George died in 1847. His sons and descendants were mainly shoemakers. I was keen to know if the Thomas Harper in the article was connected to the Harpers in my Sampson branch in Uttoxeter. Henry Edward Harper married Lucy Sampson in 1882 and sister, Helen Harper married Thomas Sampson, Lucy's brother, in 1890

Regards, Peter Sampson

[corkcutter]

Hello.
Thank you for the information about George Sampson.  He is on my index as he figures in a list of "fathers' names" at baptisms in Uttoxeter between 1815 and 1829.  The list is from Joy Dunnicliff's booklet about cork in Uttoxeter which was mentioned in the magazine article.

Did the Harper/Sampson marriages take place in Uttoxeter?
If so, there may well be a connection with the corkcutting Thomas Harper, but I am afraid I have no proof of it.  Joy may be able to help as she knew Jessie Harper personally.

The only other "Sampson" featuring in the Uttoxeter book was "Sampson Smith" which is probably just a coiincidence, but it is an unusual spelling of the first name so just possibly there is a baseborn connection?!

I shall file your interest in the Sampson/Harper names and contact you if I discover anymore information.

Best wishes

Cheryl

[corkcutter]

Continuation of above:

Forget the baseborn Sampson Smith theory.  I"ve just checked and he is legitimate - father another Sampson Smith!

Cheryl

[stewart_M]

Corkcutter/Cheryl

Do you plan to make your research and the list of known corkcutters public at some point?

Regards

Stewart

[corkcutter]

Dear Stewart,

Yes, I would like to run a website some time but at the moment I do not have the expertise or the equipment necessary.

If you want to know anything, do ask.  The article in July Practical Family History is quite a good summary of what I know so far.

Cheryl

[James773]

I wounder if anyone has ever heard of James Etheridge who died 1909 aged 79 address 10 Finck St,Upper March , Lambeth

I dont think he is partof my tree but would love to pass death cert on to someone

[corkcutter]

Hi James,

He was not on the index but has been added now.  I hope you find a connection to pass on the death certificate.


Cheryl

[Timbottawa]

Finally got the July PFH issue here in Canada.  Great stuff on cork cutters, Cheryl.  Thanks a lot!  Now, about that database ....

Tim