Fidler Street or Cochrane's Buildings, Middlesbrough

[originQuest]

Hi all,

My ancestor was born on 17th July 1871 in Fidler Street, Middlesbrough - however, when she was baptised on August 16th 1871, her address is Cochrane's Buildings.

Were these two addresses the same place?  Do any photos survive of the place?

Thank you.

[macintosh]

Quite possibly the same place, my rellies lived in Storey's Buildings,Albert Street, M/Bro. others lived in similar addresses, name of buildings then street, another I was familiar with was Windsor Cottages Garbutt Street M/Bro.
Bearing in mind the close proximity of Fidler Street to Cochrane's Works very likely.

James

[originQuest]

Thanks James ... what did they produce at Cochrane's works?

[macintosh]

Cocrane and Co of North Ormesby Iron works produced iron pipes for waterworks, sewage works and other applications for transporting liquids.

James

[originQuest]

And my ancestor's father was an Iron Moulder so would that fit?

[macintosh]

An Iron moulder would be a bit more specialised working from wooden patterns of the item to be made these would be buried in sand boxes and packed with sand, the pattern would be removed leaving the shape left to be filled with molten iron, similarly iron pipes that needed turns in  them would have an angled corner piece cast as would flanges and collars and valve systems with holes in to take bolts for joining the pipes together. As Cochranes supplied worldwide the ammount of pipe casting would be a huge operation probably working a shift system. The stockyard would be filled to overflowing with pipes awaiting shipment, I seem to remember Cochranes had their own wharf on the Tees.

James 

[originQuest]

Thank you James.

Oh wow so it was quite a skilled and presumably well paid job?  And perhaps not subject to the huge employment in the 1870s and 1880s due to a depression in the iron trade?

My ancestor's wife was often in court at these dates for petty theft so it is interesting to piece it together.

[macintosh]

Usually a moulder and pattern maker would be an apprenticed profession serving time with a tradesman until they themsleves became proficient and were able to work unsupervised.Not sure of the pay scales in 1870s Middlesbrough but the lure of the alehouse after a shift pouring white hot metal would be hard to resist,
Workers coming off night shift from the Old Iron Masters district in Middlesbrough could buy ale  at 6 a.m.

James

[originQuest]

That's fascinating.  Do you mind me asking where you get this info from?