Does anyone have a good way to find records based on an occupation? My dead end has noted he was form Armagh and was a shoemaker at the time he signed up for the RIC in 1838 (age 25) and sent to Carlow (where i have found all his records form then on). I am hoping I can find other Reilly's as shoemakers. My hope is that he might have learned form a family business and I can then locate more records in that specific area.
MelisReilly
Tuesday 17th Oct 2023, 03:35PMMessage Board Replies
-
There were no guilds or organisations keeping records of trades like shoemakers in the early 1800s. Skills were simply passed from the master craftsmen to his employees by training and practice.
To join the RIC you had to be recommended by someone of standing in the local area. Often that was the local Police Inspector, or a JP (Justice of the Peace) or a major businessman or landowner. I suggest you look at the RIC records to see who recommended your ancestor and then search to see where they lived, using the likes of the Irish Newspapers archive or Slaters Commercial Directory (1846). That should then tell you the general area where your ancestor lived. If he was recommended by a Police Inspector, let me know as I have a reference book which says where they all served.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Friday 27th Oct 2023, 05:57AM -
Hi Elwyn, I have done that research and found that he was recommended by J. Biggar (JP). I believe he was out of Newry as that is all I have been able to find in a reference to a J. Biggar so far.
MelisReilly
Thursday 9th Nov 2023, 02:56AM -
I had a search but couldn’t firmly identify J. Biggar JP in the 1830s. He’s likely to be a local businessman or landowner but as I say I can’t establish his identity or townland.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Thursday 9th Nov 2023, 05:36PM