are boatsmen the same as shipwrights

[Mary Anne]

supermum2005

OK, I have an example for you - although my man lived in Québec City, not Britain...

John Alexander lived in Québec City all of his life (between 1827 and 1903). He lived for the most part on Champlain Street, right on the St. Lawrence River, where were shipyards manufacturing all manner and size of ships and boats. John was listed variously over the years, in censuses and directories as:

1847 and 1849: boat builder
1852: boat builder (census - he has a "boat shed" on his property); boatman (directory)
1854-1861: boat builder (census and directories)
1864-1868: spar maker or mast maker (directories)
1868-1892: he was listed variously as a boat builder and a spar maker and a mast maker (census and directories)
1893-1902: shipwright and mast maker (census and directories)
and finally, at his death in 1903, he was listed as a spar maker.

In my own interpretation of this terminology, I can see a progression to more specialization and probably more skill, as he grew older. Perhaps also, considering the period, a move from smaller to larger craft. He may have started out as more of a labourer, while developing the skills to not only build boats/ships and their parts, but also to supervise others who were doing so (as I believe he did in later years).

I hope this helps you with your William Thomas... Personally, I would be inclined to adopt the Welsh one until you find another one somewhere else!!!

And you're right, the best way to be *sure* would be to find him and the whole family together somewhere.

It's all just a continuing search really, isn't it?!

Good luck


Mary Anne

[supermum2005]

thanks mary ann

i have ordered elizabeth 2nd marriage so fingers crossed she mentions william thomas as her father & mentions his job


the joys of genology