Genealogy Chat

Where would you suggest I look to trace someone who was a compositor in the late 1800. I know he lived in Market Drayton, how do I find out what papers were in circulation then, I would image as MD is a small place there would possible only one newspaper produced, and presumably by G Father would be listed somewhere as an employee, can anyone advise? Stephanie

From a google search:

http://www.marketdraytonadvertiser.com/about-us/

A compositor could also have been employed by a book printer, or by a company producing advertising, or signage

You could try looking for the local Trade Directory of the time. That would give some indication of places he may have worked at, ie newspapers, printers, or any big companies in nearby towns which would have had their own in-house design/advertising/printing dept.

He may not have worked IN Market Drayton itself, so I would suggest keeping your search fairly wide.

Hello Stephanie and welcome to the Community Boards.





I will let Stephanie know that she has replies to her query. :-)

Tried contacting newspaper via google, no response

How about writing to them, snail mail, explain in the letter that you are tracing your family tree - g.grandad in particular, who was a compositor, and you wondered if he worked for them, and if they have kept their personnel files, blah blah blah.
I'll admit it IS a long shot Stephanie, but it's something I would try....because you just never know what documents and/or info is available.
Don't expect miracles overnight though, most of us have been slogging away at our family trees for centuries :-S

:-) Karen

Nudging this one up to the front page so it can join the most recent thread of Stephanie's ref: William Cartwright b.1872 - in the hope that anyone doing research for her will not do as I have done ie spend several hours researching in response to her Private Message.
I have only just seen the second thread, posted yesterday, and discovered that a good deal of info is already there AAAArrrrgggghhhhhhhhh.... :-| :-| :-|

nudge

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/tips_board/thread/1337428