Do you have corkcutter ancestors?

[Antonette]

No, I have no ancestor corkcutters moving from Dublin to Edinburgh ... but probably somebody knows all about it. Did you write to 'corkcutter'? She is the lady who is the expert and is compiling a list of all firms and corkcutters.
Good luck with your research.
Netta (Antonette)

[brabanne]

OK - so I'm lazy. Who is "Corkcutter"

[brabanne]

I have just read what I wrote online and apart from being unfinished, it's also rather abrupt - quite unintentionally so. Comes of being a Scot, I suppose. We often get into strife thereby.

And my name is Anne, and I'm also ancient, but just a little bit less than Anonette is - or is that also too Scottish a comment??

[Antonette]

Hello again, Scots lady Anne! I didn't think you were particularly abrupt ... just to the point.
Right, the address of 'Corkcutter' is the name of a lady called Cheryl who is compiling a list of all corkcutters and it was she who started this 'Do you have corkcutter ancestors?' trail. She has a list of hundreds of names and also companies who did corkcutting.
Going back to the Scottish bit ... the other side of my family came from Scotland, name of Swan, forget which tartan they were in but it could be Macmillan. Do you have any Swans in your family?
And lastly, although I now live in Rome, I will be visiting some dear friends who live in Bridge of Allan in August. Anywhere near you?
Nice to have met you online. Netta

[behindthefrogs]

I think the critical piece of information that you need brabanne is that if you find one of "corkcutter's" posts and click on the green scroll under her name you can send her a message.

David

[cjack]

My GGGG-grandfather, George Jack (1808 - 1885) was a corkcutter in Scotland.  His occupation is listed on the 1841, 1851, 1861 censuses in South Leith, the 1871 census in North Leith and the 1881 census in Markinch, Fife.  It is also listed on 1859 marriage registration of his son James (who was a shoemaker), the 1872 marriage registration of his daughter, Christina, the 1877 death registration of his wife Margaret, and his own 1885 death registration in Markinch.

George's daughter Jessie's husband, Andrew Balderstone, born abt. 1829 was also a corkcutter.  His occupation was listed on his 1855 marriage registration, as well as on the 1861 census in Edinburgh and the 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses in Markinch.

I suspect that both George and Andrew may have been cork cutters who supplied corks for Haig and Haig Limited whiskey as there were plants in both Edinbugh and Markinch.  Cheryl or Tim - do either of you have any information to support this theory?

[corkcutter]

I'm afraid my index only deals with English corkcutters.  I need someone else to tackle the Scots, Irish and Welsh sections.  I know it was a particularly popular trade in Scotland.

I am always pushing this but if you want to find out about how the trade worked, try to get hold of a backnumber of Practical Family History magazine  July 2005 (no.91) as my article covers everything I have discovered so far.  The Scots element in the article was added by the publishers to attract a larger audience I think!

Cheryl

[peelie123]

I'm new to this Rootschat game, but was reading about cork cutters and just wanted to let you (anyone?) know that I have lots in my family.  Grandfather John Anderson (b1834 St.Pancras) his brothers Joseph (b1838) and Robert (b1821 Middx)their father Robert Anderson (b1801 St.George East Middx) seems like the whole clan were cork cutters.  I thought it was something to do with shoe making as i've come across links to that? They lived around St.Pancras till the 81 census then around Lambeth/Southwark area.  Don't know how to get in touch with Cheryl who is compiling an index??

[corkcutter]

Hello - you've found me.

I only have one Anderson on the index and he is in 1850 in Gloucestershire, so I doubt he is connected.

The odds are that your Andersons were simply journeymen (employees) rather than running their own business, as I have picked up most businesses from directories now (though there is always the possibility of missing a small firm).

London was the biggest centre for corkcutting, though they were spread all over the country.  The move to south of the river in the late 19th century is interesting as mechanisation and change in demand was putting pressure on the industry and many small firms closed.  The larger ones tended to be located south of the river at that time.  Have you discovered any other reason why the family changed location?

Did you find the "corkcutter" label attached to them on b/m/d certificates and/or census entries?
If you can let me have relevant addresses and dates, I may be able to make a guess as to who their employer was.

I will now put all of them on the index with a reference to your name as submitter so that I can put you in touch with anyone else who comes looking for them.

By the way, I'm amazed at the long span of generations.  Fancy having a grandfather born in the 1830s!

Cheryl