Genealogy Chat

Could some kind person please explain what exactly a Stevedor does.......is he employed to unload ships, and would he be classed as a labourer? The people involved were all resident in Liverpool, possibly close to the port/docks? I have been unable to discover this uncle and his wife on any of the census' after 1851, and having now discovered his profession since 1851, am wondering if he might have gone abroad? Also what does the description Mariner really mean? In 1851 my great uncle was (I presume training) to be a Block maker. However, I have just received his wedding cert and on it, it states his profession as that of Mariner. He was married in 1860.............also, his wifes father was a Master Mariner.......could someone please explain this also? Thankyou in advance for any help offered, I am going out for a few hours, and might not be able to reply until later. Lin

A stevedore is a dock labourer who loads and unloads ships. Mariner is a sailor .and master mariner is a time served sailor who has mastered his trade .ie a captain or first officer

I believe a stevedore is what we would call a docker today. Someone correct me if I'm wrong Carole

Thankyou Shirley and Carole, You have confirmed what I was thinking but as an adendum, I wonder How would I find out if my great uncle would have been a Sailor in the Navy or otherwise? If someone could answer this for me i.e, Where do I look please? Lin

It is likely he would be in the Merchant Navy. My own grandfather was a stevedore - he served in the Merchant Navy and in WW1 was in the Royal Navy. Stevedore, though a skilled job in just the knowledge of the best way to unload/load a ship would probably be classed as a labourer, yep. I would just add as a Stevedore/stoker my GF travelled world wide. It would be worth you checking the National Archives Seamans register online.

Try a name search at the National Archives online database for Royal Navy Personnel 1853-1923. I found my g grandfather' s records there and could dowload them for a small fee Carole

Yes, Thankyou Heather, I was giving some thought to maybe having to chase him up through that route........oh dear lol. First service man I've come across.........quite daunting!!! Lin

That's useful info Carole, I will get on to that later today, thankyou very much. Lin

Have a look at the PortCities website - its a beautiful site - you said your guy is Liverpool? Will give you an idea of the work/area. Brilliant photos.

Will I just google for that Heather? Lin

I would have thought he is more likely to appear on the Seamans register as the Naval personnel records tend to be Royal Navy rather than merchant. If you ever get to Kew, I was fiddling about on the NA site the other day and found they actually have the records for dockers on there. I shall have to try to get their myself as my dad was a docker and was in a horrendous industrial accident when I was a child. Apparently all accidents are shown there too.

Yes, I agree Heather - just an additional source just in case. BTW just checked the dates - Royal NAvy records from 1873, not 1853 -oops Carole

This is the addy for Liverpool PortCities - enjoy! http://www.mersey-gateway.org/

I have no idea which it would be at the moment but I shall try all avenues........I'm hoping he will crop up somewhere, as I'm unable to discover him on any census'? That's my work cut out for next week then! Lin

Thanks for the addie Heather...............enjoy eh! Something your not telling Me lol? Lin

No, its absolutely brilliant - be aware that every photo and heading is a link. Its brilliant. I guess as I was born in the docklands of London and surrounded by rellies all involved in dock working/mariners/lightermen I tend to take it for granted what work they did and the circumstances they work in. It must be a lot more exciting for people who didnt grow up surrounded by the action (and the smells - I always remember the smells of the different docks)

That does sound good Heather, it will make a change from all the Ag labs! Lin

Patricia, That's very enlightening, especially as both my great uncles were Block Makers, according to the 1851 census. It does appear more feasable to assume they may have been employed in that trade on the docks, ships etc. However, it still doesn't explain why I cannot find them in any other census' So it looks like my work is well and truly cut out here......... Thanks so much for all your useful and helpful replies, I am a little more clued up now and it opens up more than one avenue to look down..........really appreciated ladies. Lin

I was originally under the impression that their trade of Block makers, was connected to the printing industry. However, if they were employed as block makers on ships...........Would it have been likely that they could have gone to sea with the ships??? Appreciate anyones thoughts on this please. Lin

Oh definitely - as I said my GGF was a stevedore who went to sea on merchant ships - they had to be unloaded and loaded wherever in the world they were! 'Mariners' were multi-skilled. I know he def went to somewhere like Canada as one of the pressies he gave Gran was a pair of little seals made out of real seal skin (yuck - very non pc now) There was also a brooch which hurt your eyes to look at it - I dont know where its got to - perhaps my sis had it - but it is definitely not european. Mum used to say it was made from butterflies wings???