Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Currently trying to find the birth/christening of Robert Walker and his mother's name. I know from his marriage certificate and census that he was born in Liverpool in 1815 and his father's name was Edward who was a White (Silver) Smith by trade. Could anyone help please as I live in Lincoln and have limited access to parish records?

A whitesmith could be:
- One who works in tinned or galvanized iron, or white iron; a tinsmith, or
- A worker in iron who finishes or polishes the work, but not the one who forges it

I have an ancestor who was a whitesmith and he sometimes described himself as a coach smith or a coach spring maker.

Thanks, so it is entirely possible that he could have worked in the ship building industry then.

I would think so.

Just wanted to say that I have checked 1790 and 1827 directories, these being a couple I have that I thought might be in the right timeframe, however I've not had any success with these names.

Thanks
Came across an Edward Walker b 12 May 1791 in Liverpool, christened 5 Jun 1791 at St Nicholas, son of Thomas Walker and Ann Hignett, a joiner living on Milk Street. Could be a possible connection. Need to tie that to my Robert Walker b 1815 in Liverpool though.

There is an Edward Walker in the 1814 and 1821 directories but he is a joiner, not a whitesmith.

How likely do you think he could change jobs from a joiner to a white smith? According to Robert's marriage certificate his father Edward was a white smith in March 1838. However looking at the christening record for Edward it states that Thomas Walker his dad was a joiner, so maybe he took on his fathers trade initially before moving on to a more lucrative job, or am I just clutching at straws!

I think you need to broaden the areas of your search. Check for Wills and burials, there may be mention of other family members, locations or occupations in either of them.

MaryA wrote:I think you need to broaden the areas of your search. Check for Wills and burials, there may be mention of other family members, locations or occupations in either of them.

I'm sure this is perfect advice.

...his dad was a joiner, so maybe he took on his fathers trade initially before moving on to a more lucrative job, or am I just clutching at straws!

That's very possible. My ggf was a joiner who changed to work in Insurance. His dad was a joiner and he was recorded on the census as a joiner from a young age. But Insurance? Why? Later I discovered his grandfather (father's father) started on the railways, but turned to Insurance later in life when there was a downturn in railway investment by the government. My ggf's change made sense when I got the fuller view.

alanwalker14 wrote:How likely do you think he could change jobs from a joiner to a white smith? According to Robert's marriage certificate his father Edward was a white smith in March 1838. However looking at the christening record for Edward it states that Thomas Walker his dad was a joiner, so maybe he took on his fathers trade initially before moving on to a more lucrative job, or am I just clutching at straws!

Unlikely, both were apprentice trades with an apprenticeship lasting 6/7 years at that time.