1841 occupation help

[davran]

I think I may have found my ancestor Robert Forsyth in 1841, but only if the occupation is what I hope it to be. However, it is abbreviated to "Sh Car". Does anyone know what this would be, please?

GROS ref: 646/00/003/00 033 GOVAN

[AndrewP]

Hi Davran,

It looks like the enumerator was using his own abbreviations - they were allowed to do that and should have made a note at the end of the enumeration book to say what these meant.

http://www.talkingscot.com/censuses/census-1841.htm

I will stab a guess at Ship's Carpenter. It fits the location well too - Govan was shipbuilding territory.

Have you found him in the 1851 census? If so, what was his occupation by then?

All the best,

AndrewP

[davran]

Thank you, thank you, Andrew!! That's the answer I was hoping for. He WAS a ship's carpenter, but I didn't want to read into the abbreviations something that wasn't there, so thought I'd put it before other people to see what they thought. He is also living in a house with a joiner, so I thought it likely that he had a similar occupation. Now I have to find where his wife, Ann, was - they were only married in May 1841, so I'm surprised they are not together.

Thanks again.

[Jack]

Hi Davran,
There are two OPR Extract marriages in the IGI for Robert & Ann; the same couple?
Perhaps the 21st May was when the banns were called in Cathcart?
But they didn't actually marry till after the 1841 census date of the 6th June?
Govan is, as you know, where Robert was in 1841.

What are the names of Ann BINNIE's parents?
Did Ann have any siblings? Names? Birth years & places?
--
ROBERT FORSYTH & ANN BENNIE
Marriage: 21 MAY 1841, Cathcart, Renfrew, Scotland
&
ROBERT FORSYTH & ANN BINNIE
Marriage: 11 JUN 1841, Govan, Lanark, Scotland
--
Jack

[davran]

Hi Jack

I hadn't picked up on the 11 June reference . The 21 May is definitely my couple and the text reads:

"Robert Forsyth, ship carpenter, residing in the Parish of Govan, and Ann Bennie in this Parish (ie Cathcart)"

I'll have to have a look at the other one. Ann's parents were John Bennie and Catherine McTaggart, but I don't suppose they'll be mentioned!

I've looked for John and Catherine on the census, but no luck. I have never been able to find baptism records for either Robert Forsyth or Ann Bennie. I found a brother, George for Ann b1809 Glasgow, but haven't found him in 1841 either!

[davran]

Jack, you were right. They were actually married on 11 June, but unfortunately, as expected, no further details.

I was rather impressed by the layout of the page in the register, though. I'm sure the chap who filled it in would have loved a computer and an Excel spreadsheet! There are four columns on the left - two for the month and date the marriage was booked, and two for the month and date it took place. Then a column for 'parties' names', then one for 'his parish' and one for 'hers'. There is a gap where one couple obviously didn't go through with the marriage (wonder why?), but all the rest were married. I wonder if he kept a separate book for banns only (where the couple married in another church) How would he know if they did marry in another parish?

[Jack]

How would he know if they did marry in another parish?

I couldn't really say; unless he was told?
Or he kept in touch with other parishes in the area?
But those thoughts (and others) have probably already crossed your mind.

For some reason i can't see Ann in 1841.
Do you know if her brother George reached adulthood?
If yes; any details on him?
Jack

[davran]

Thanks for your interest, Jack. I'm afraid I haven't looked for George at all, so know nothing about him. I find SP a bit expensive for just browsing around. I always end up with 1 credit left and then have to buy more when I want to view the images!

[Jack]

I find SP a bit expensive for just browsing around...

Never a truer word said...

Jack