Sunday 2 April 2017

Using newspapers to collect information about your ancestors' working lives.

In this post I will show some examples of newspaper entries which give details of my ancestors' day to day working lives.

Examples of information that can be obtained from newspapers
01 April 2017
16:29
In my previous post I referred to the fact that Mary Magee and her family were car proprietors in the Isle of Man. Until the 1881 Census her husband (my 3x great grandfather) William Magee described himself as a labourer. In 1881 he was a car proprietor. The summary of the newspaper entries given below are all evidence of his involvement with the carriage trade.

Isle of Man Times 29 May, 26 June, 17 July 1875
Pony for sale. 13 hands. Apply to William Magee, 4 Tynwald Terrace.

Isle of Man Times 27 March 1875
William Magee allowing a donkey to wander on the public road unsupervised. Fine 2 shillings and 6 pennies plus costs.

Isle of Man Times 5 November 1881
Missing Pony. William Magee, 4 Tynwald Terrace.


William Magee Snr died in 1882. The following extracts refer to his son William Magee Jnr.

Isle of Man Times 16 August 1884
Loss of valuable horse belonging to William Magee. Fell over bridge. Wall was only 18 inches high. Broke back.

Isle of Man Times 14 August 1886

Douglas Town Commissioners appeal for stand for car proprietors. Signatory William Magee, Lake, Douglas.

Isle of Man Times 3 June 1893
William Magee Grocer. Dispute with visitors over dog-cart they had hired.

Isle of Man Times 17 February 1894
Advertisement William Magee 10 Bridge Street. Selling cart, wagonettes, Irish car, pony and a large quantity of swede and turnips.


It was not just my Manx ancestors who were having problems with their livelihood and choice of transport.

From the Scottish Borders.
Southern Reporter 6 September 1860
William Emond allowing cart to stand on turnpike unattended. 2s 6d or 2 days prison.

Whilst on the Isle of Wight my great great grandfather seems to have been involved in an early episode of road rage.
Isle of Wight Observer 1 September 1866
Alfred Vanner the driver of Mr Vanner's coach was charged with assaulting Edward Wills. Edward was the horse keeper of Mr Wavell's coach. Newport Sunday 19 August. Fined 5 shillings with costs

www.findmypast.co.uk  For newspaper articles.

Hint😉 Some family history sites allow you to buy a subscription for a certain period of time. This could be a week, a month or a year. If you are watching the pennies and intend to buy access for a short period of time keep a list of items you need to look up. When you have accumulated a fair few then purchase your access. 

Hint😉 Keep an eye out for the free access periods sometimes offered by sites. These two sites are very good for promoting these offers. www.rootschat.com  www.genealogydiscount.co.uk

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