Genealogy Chat

Hi, well that does show he was self employed. If you go to the Historical Directories site (google it) you can look up if he was in any of the business directories at that time. As I said, it is a very complicated site. I managed in the end, but it takes some doing to follow the instructions. I have just mailed them suggesting they make it more simple to follow! Ive got Great Grandad x 2 in two London directories as a cabinet/wood carver - got two addresses from it too. One I knew from the 1881 census but I have another that I didnt know about at all.

Hi Heather, I have checked on the census and it says cabinet maker own account so where do I go from here. P

Update, managed to fathom out site (it is complicated though) and havent found Great Grandad yet BUT have found his father - a cabinet carver in two different commercial directories. Not bad, eh. Will have another go after I get back home.

Jeanie, could you tell me how to use the directories? I have been to the site a few times and given up because I bring up the directories but cant jump to my Great Grandfathers surname? Please tell me how to get to a surname rather than wade through a page at a time?? I am looking in London for James Hanson, woodturner joiner in the 1880s - 1920's.

Or could it be a Joiner Carpenter? My gggrandfather is listed on one census as Joiner C and Joiner Carpenter on 2 others. Lou

Hi, this must be journeyman carpenter. Namely a man who had been apprenticed and was what we would call self employed. If you can see the census image, see if it says on own account or something similar under occupation.

Try Historical Directories. If you are lucky he may have been running his own co. My husbands gtx2 grandfather was a cabinet maker and is on a directory for Oxford. Regards Jeanie

My grandfather was a carpenter in Liverpool when he married in 1889 before that he used to be a Journey Carpenter can anyone tell me if there is anywhere that i can look up any records of this. Thank you PAULINE