Genealogy Chat

Does anyone have any idea or know anyone who may know of a small Cutlery business in Sheffield during the 1920s. My father (now deceased) said that my grandfather (George Gillett) was in this business then.

Dorothy I dont know if you are aware, but Sheffield was famous for cutlery and steel. Perhaps contact the main library in Sheffield and ask them to do a look up in a trade directory for the years you want. Margaret

HI Margaret. Oh yes, I certainly knew that Sheffield is famous for cutlery and steel. But my father said little of his family other than a comment in a letter to a friend (which I have just re-read today) that his father's business was struggling, as were others at the time, and he had been obliged to look elsewhere for work because there was insufficent income to feed the family. Do you think it is likely that Sheffield Library will help - I find Libraries very unhelpful unless you can actually personally visit - and I live a very long way from Sheffield!

The 1911 Sheff & Rotherham directory has John Gillett, fork grinder working for Soho Grinding Wheel Co George Gillett, working as a baker, living in Lydgate Lane Arthur Gillett, a tripe dealer John Gillett Richard Gillett, telephone inspector You can look at www.historicaldirectories.org

Dorothy I used to work in Sheffield Library, and I think you will find if you contact the Local Studies Library and/or Business Library they will be more than helpful; if not, things will have changed a great deal! Helen

Thank you all so much!! I'm very grateful for your assistance. Geoff I'll certainly look up that site. Helen, sorry if I sounded sceptical, but I have found Libraries I've looked at for other facts, to be like that. I'll now do my homework, and hope it will somehow break down my ''brick wall''. Thanks again.

I have no looked at the site you recommended Geoff, and am interested in finding out where to go from here? Anybody got any ideas? Helen do you think the library would be able to throw any light on this?

Dorothy I really would give it a go with the library - you've nothing to lose, after all! I wonder whether your grandfather would have been classed as a 'Little Mester' - I'm sure there's information in the library on them, or if not, they could point you in the right direction. Sorry I haven't got the up-to-date phone numbers ( I haven't lived in Sheffield for about twenty years!) but perhaps you could google Sheffield City Council to find their website and relevant numbers. Good luck Helen

Hi Helen Thank you for your reply..... what is a ''Little Mester''? please? I'm no longer hesitant about contacting the Library, but just don't really know how to go about asking for more info.