Genealogy Chat

Hi guys, Well it turns out that 'ap' does actually stand for apprentice on the 1841 census. At least I managed to clear that one up! xx

I have no idea! Jeez, the plot thickens, eh?

Really, REALLY, wild guess - ap couldn't be short for adopted, could it? OC

Well, ummm, point taken but if it's not 'ap' what could it be? It's not 'do'. Looking again, Joseph Aston must be the younger brother of David Aston because of their ages. So if Jane 'Aston' is the wife, maybe Jane Jones is her illegit daughter. Still not sure if Edward was any relation as his mother was Ann Clayton (I don't have any more info on her!! Argh!) and it seems he was illegit too.

Just had another squint - not sure if it is ap now - not usual to have ap for apprentice - usually appr or the full word followed by the trade. Also, when you say he is a lodger - you cant actually know that as no relationship is given - Id be looking closely at the wife of the family who also gets a tick in the foreign parts box! (Oh, and shes called Jane!) Assuming they have rounded down to 25 and the couple are 29 I guess Joseph Aston aged 11 could be theirs.

Maybe the running away story is true and he lied to cover up where he was originally from. On the 1851 census he's down as being from the Shropshire, Dawley area but, of course, he was by that time 22 years old. xx

That's a thought, being as he was illegit. As he was born in Wellignton Shropshire I contacted them about their Poor Law records but they had nothing. Maybe Wolverhampton will? xx

No O.C. thats what I couldnt make out and if he were born in Shropshire why does he get a tick in the Scotland, Ireland box? Wellington is on the Welsh border but all the same, not foreign parts I wouldnt think - LOL

Wonder if he was a pauper's apprentice? They were apprenticed from age 7. If so, there might be something in the poor law records for the area. (Have to admit, I didn't know you needed to do an apprenticeship to be a coal miner, lol) OC

Thanks for that! I'll give it a go! xx

Jane Jones I presume was just another lodger like Edward. Edward was born in Wellington Shropshire, but there's a story that he ran away from home sooo who knows. The 'ap' does stand for apprentice, doesn't it?

Strange, wonder who the 4 year old Jane Jones is with him? Did you see he was born in Scotland, Ireland or foreign parts?

Opps, you're right Heather! I meant 1841 - SORRY!

Hi Clive, I can't seem to find much on google but I'll keep looking. Cheers xx

Could you give details of who he is living with as I immediately found a 14 year old working as a miner and the status nephew - Im assuming that cant be him. 12 seems young to be an apprentice - normally it would qualify the type of apprenticeship . 1851: Edward Clayton Age: 14 Estimated birth year: abt 1837 Relation: Nephew Gender: Male Where born: Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England Civil parish: Wolverhampton Ecclesiastical parish: St John County/Island: Staffordshire Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Disability: View image Registration district: Wolverhampton Sub-registration district: Wolverhampton Western ED, institution, or vessel: 1n Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 29 Household Members: Name Age Edward Clayton 14 Hannah Clayton 39 James Clayton 36 James Clayton 2 Mary Clayton 14 William Clayton 20 Do you mean a different census year? Or am I missing something please?

The only apprenticeship records I have seen have always been held by the apprentice. As your ancestor was a miner try one or more of the mining unions Google coal miner union and specify UK. You will find a fair old list of unions. One of which proably covers the geographic area of your interest. Clive

Hi guys, Does anyone know of any apprenticeship records that still exist? I have an Edward Clayton, aged 12, living in Wolverhampton in 1841 and 'ap' is down as his employment. I presume this means apprentice. The head of the family he was living with was David Aston and he was a Coal Miner. I know that Edward was a Coal/Ironstone Miner from the age 22 onwards. Can anyone help? Do any records exist?? Cheers xx