Michael Dalton born 1765 Blacksmith Journeyman. Michael Dalton born 1799 Master Blacksmith Journeyman. John Hinton born 1687 Blacksmith. John Hinton born 1718 Blacksmith. Joseph Harris born c1806 Iron-founder Journeyman. Frank Card born 1867 Iron-founder Journeyman. All are my ancestors.
Have you found the apprenticeship records for them - or did they learn their trades from their fathers?
The only one I have is Frank Card's apprenticeship indentures, he was my grandfather and it's one of the few written records concerning my ancestors to come my way. Frank's specified amongst other things to refrain from alcohol, gambling, smoking and not visit houses of ill repute or marry before the age of 21. He worked for Christies Ironworks/Foundry in Chelmsford, they were Quakers. I would like to see first if there is a an apprenticeship record for Joseph Harris the Iron Founder, they might give a clue who one or both his parents were. Joseph born c1806 is the blighter I've yet to find, he claims to have been born in Little Coggeshall, I've searched searched St Peter ad Vincular Coggeshall PRs in vain and just finished Coggeshall Noncon register's without finding him. Any idea where I would start looking?
Have you had a read of this? The last paragraph has some suggestions as to where else apprenticeship records may be found.
