Genealogy Chat

I have been told my great grandfather, Charles Olley, built racing yachts for a living. If this is true, I would imagine I could find out a fair bit about him and his yachts, but I haven't got a clue where to look. Does anyone have any ideas? Duncan

As always, Google the name! Jack

Sorry, I meant to put that in my first message, I tried googling all sorts of combinations of the name and yachts, but nothing relevant came back. Thanks for the thought though.

I can't help with your query, but found this on a site giving details of awards by the Royal Humane Society. Wonder if the man whose life was saved was your great grandfather? --------------------------------------------------- Harvey, Frank. A.B. HMS Haughty. Case 32115 On the 1st June 1902, Charles Olley fell overboard from a yacht in the harbour at Felixstowe. There was a depth of about 20 feet, and a thunderstorm with heavy rain at the time. Harvey jumped in and was successful in saving him. --------------------------------------------------- Kath. x

Duncan Looks like Kathleen has found your man. Do you have him on the 1901 census, to pin down an address? You may find there is plenty about him in the local Studies or Archives centre, for the area where he built his yachts. OC

Sorry for the delay, I hopped in the bath! That's interesting Kath, I would imagine it was him. I believe he was born in Colchester so Felixstowe is the right neck of the woods. I can't remember what the other person was called, was itOld Man something? Anyway you will know who I mean, thank you as well, I would imagine it was N Kent, probably Upnor or somewhere on the Medway, but so far I have not looked on the censuses. To avoid getting too confused I am concentrating on my wife's family's certificates and censuses at the moment, have nearly reached 1837 so then I will start on my family. But hearing about building racing yachts was irresistible! I think I'll try the censuses now, I'll get back to you.

Is this him in 1901? Findsbury, Kent Charles Olley aged 37 boat (wood) builder born Wavenhoe Essex - this must actually be Wivenhoe which is just down the Colne from Colchester.

On A2A there are several references to a Charles Olley, a tailor by profession, round about 1880. Maybe a relative? OC

Judith, That looks like a distinct possibility. Kath. x

Found him. In1901 he is shown in Frindsbury Extra, (on the Medway), the search says he is a boot builder! But it won't let me view the transcription or the census, can't understand why. So I tried 1891, he was then shown as a shipwright living in Paglesham, a road called Scandal Row! Yes he was born in Wivenhoe, but I doubt he was a tailor in 1880 as he would only have been 16. But maybe his first job? Thank you all for your efforts and interest. Duncan

Duncan, The 1901 census actually says Boat (wood) builder, sure pretty sure it's your man. Kath. x

Don't think the 'tailor' in the 1881 census is the right one. This looks like your Charles (he's on a vessel which would tie in with his later occupation and he's born Wivenhoe):- Name: Charles Olley Age: 17 Estimated birth year: abt 1864 Gender: Male Where born: Wivenhoe, Essex, England Civil parish: Vessels County/Island: Essex Country: England Street address: 'sea Brothers' Education: Employment status: View image Occupation: Block Spar Maker Registration district: Maldon Sub-registration district: Southminster ED, institution, or vessel: Ten Mothers Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Walter Brewer 19 Charles Crix 21 James Harvey 20 John Hazell 20 William Hoare 50 William Arthur Hoare 16 Frederick Law 41 Charles Olley 17 Harry Olley 14 Jacob Olley 48 CHS. Palmer 42 William Palmer 15 Source Citation: Class: RG11; Piece: 1773; Folio: 156; Page: -8 Kath. x

No, the tailor I mentioned is obviously not the same man, I just thought that as it is quite an unusual name, he is probably a relative! Perhaps not. OC

And again in the 1871 census:- Name: Charles J Olley Age: 7 Estimated birth year: abt 1864 Relation: Son Mother's name: Mahala Gender: Male Where born: Wivenhoe, Essex, England Civil parish: Wivenhoe County/Island: Essex Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Disability: View image Registration district: Lexden Sub-registration district: Wivenhoe ED, institution, or vessel: 2 Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 60 Household Members: Name Age Charles J Olley 7 Eliza A Olley 1 Emma J Olley 2 Harry W Olley 4 Mahala Olley 35 Source Citation: Class: RG10; Piece: 1689; Folio: 32; Page: 10 Charles's father doesn't appear on this census, but it does say his mother is a wife and married, so perhaps his father also went to sea ?? Kath. x

Hi OC, No, I realised that you didn't think the 'tailor' was the same man, but I thought that Duncan might be thinking he was, with a different occupation just because he was starting out on his first job. Kath. x

Jacob Olley, listed on the same boat as Charles in 1881, was his father. Jacob married Mahala Ellis in 1854 (didn't realize how common the name Mahala was btw and it continued right down through the Olley family). Jacob was at sea on the Vedra in 1861 off the Humber Lights, which is why he wasn't at home with the family. Jack

Well spotted Jack, I didn't even look at the names of the other people on board in the 1881 census. Shows how easy it is to miss things!!! Kath. x