Occupation: Excavator .....

Southern part of Great Britain

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JustJean
Posts: 2520
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 12:52 am
Location: Maine USA

Occupation: Excavator .....

Post by JustJean » Tue May 03, 2005 3:14 pm

Hi all

Just located a previously lost rellie in the 1861 England Census Index. George Fluke is found boarding in Ledbury age 21 and his occupation is "excavator". Also with him is another chap George Tandy who is 19 and also an "excavator". They were both born and raised in the same small Gloucestershire town of Alderton. Also boarding in the same household in 1861 is a 43 year old carpenter. I'm struck by the occupation "excavator" for this time period and can't quite imagine what they might have excavated. Do you think it's possible they worked with the carpenter on new home construction by possible excavating for foundations?....or what about working on road construction? I doubt it's anything to do with mining activities....and i really hope it's not another term for "gravedigger" :roll: I've looked around and haven't found it yet in any occupation lists. I have found some others with same occupation in the late 1800's but mostly they were poorhouse types who were currently unemployed. Anyone got any other ideas???

Jean
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WilmaM
Posts: 1908
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 10:46 am
Location: Falkirk area

Post by WilmaM » Tue May 03, 2005 3:36 pm

Perhaps working on the railways or canals ? or quarry work.

A fancy name for a 'navvy'....
Wilma
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sporran
Posts: 496
Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 11:40 pm
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK

Re: excavator

Post by sporran » Tue May 03, 2005 3:57 pm

Hello Jean,


I will echo Wonka2's suggestion, particularly since the Worcester to Hereford line was completed in 1861. There is a tunnel of 1323 yards just outside Ledbury, and your man may well have been involved with that. More information on the line at http://www.hereford.uk.com/history/18thand19th.asp .


Regards,

John
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JustJean
Posts: 2520
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 12:52 am
Location: Maine USA

Post by JustJean » Tue May 03, 2005 4:47 pm

Thanks to you both...Wilma and John

Looks like it may well have been railway related. That's a great website too!

I was hoping George may have remained in the area and married but so far I've been unable to find him anywhere in 1871 or beyond. None of the vital records seem to jump out at me on this one either. If he was employed on the railway construction then it doesn't sound likely that he settled down there.

Jean
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MaryE
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:53 pm

Post by MaryE » Thu May 05, 2005 12:10 am

Jean

Sporran's right. I couldn't find George Fluke in 1871 but a search for 'George' born 1840 +/-2, place of birth Alderton, Gloucestershire did turn up George Tandy. He's ennumerated as George Tendy (sic) and is a boarder with the Thomas family in Roman Road Railway Huts, Appleby St Michael and Badgate, Westmoreland, age 29, occupation Rail Lab, born Alderton, Gloucestershire.

If you put RG10/5269, ED 4, Folio 52, page 7 into the 1871 it should bring him up. He has what I assume is his brother Edward, age 32, with him.

Mary
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JustJean
Posts: 2520
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 12:52 am
Location: Maine USA

Post by JustJean » Thu May 05, 2005 12:20 am

Thanks Mary...I'll have a look.

The Tandys were no relationship that I know of but at least this pretty much confirms the connection to Railway Labour. I have a strong suspicion that my George Fluke may have been dead by 1871. His father, several of his siblings and half-siblings (including my GGGrandmother) all died as young adults from TB.

Jean
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