Great Western Railway workers

[ginnyd]

Hi! I'm wondering if anyone can help me find records of my GGrandfather William Henry Forester 1818-1898 who worked for the Great Western Railway as, initially, a store keeper and then latterly as a surveyor on" The Golden Mile" (Cowbridge/Bridgend?) He seemed to start work in the early 1840's and left GWR in the early 1850's. I have tried National Archives, Ancestry, Brunel Museum and the Steam Museum with no luck. Short of a long trip up to the archives at Kew is there any other way to trace him? The Archives said that a lot of their records had been destroyed for that period. Thanks a lot.

[arthurk]

You might get some ideas on where to research from this thread:

https://www.british-genealogy.com/th...estern-Railway

Swindon Library, who were offering look-ups etc, haven't been around here for a while, but Christina's post #131 in the thread includes a link to their website and a suggestion to contact them direct.

[helachau]

Is he the William Henry Frederick Forester, died Swansea, Dec Qtr 1898 - age 80?

If yes, if you haven't already done so you might check https://newspapers.library.wales

use search key "william henry forester" and include the " " as part of search key.

Or are you only interested in his railway career?

[helachau]

The above appears to be "your" William -

https://newspapers.library.wales/vie...63/3342568/49/

See top end column

[ginnyd]

Thank you "helachu". Yes, this is the right man. I am looking for his history from 1840 - 1851 (when he was married). My problem is finding out about his life before he married. I know he was working as a store keeper for GWR and then went on to survey the line near Cowbridge and Bridgend. He was still working for GWR when he married in 1851. Does this help? Thanks again. Ginny

[helachau]

Ginny,
I was drawn to your post with its mention of the "Golden Mile" (a mushrooming hot spot of mine many moons ago).
I used the Swindon Library look up offer ten years ago to find info. re my wife's great grandfather's time with GWR - but details were minimal.
I had a look at Welsh newspapers for info. re. the development of the line. Lot of activity in the mid 1840s with the South Wales Railway Co. and Great Western Railway merging.
The article below describes the route changes proposed to original plans - the route/area you are interested in (Bridgend/Cowbridge) begins at the foot of col 1.
https://newspapers.library.wales/vie...562/3088564/7/

[helachau]

Have just discovered your previous thread. Apologies for repeating info. already delivered.