LONDON-L Archives

Archiver > LONDON > 2001-04 > 0987200155


From: Eve McLaughlin <>
Subject: Re: [Lon] Occupation - Shipkeeper?
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2001 23:15:55 +0100
In-Reply-To: <000401c0c408$06a47ec0$8a4b8cd4@oemcomputer>



>My 3 x Great Grandfather JOSEPH WILSON is described as a 'shipkeeper' on his
>daughter's marriage certificate of 1866.
>
>I have searched through various books and websites to try to find out what
>exactly this is, but have found nothing. Has SKS out there any suggestions?

A sort of sophisticated parking attendant - he kept an eye on ships
moored in harbour and not in commission, arranging for security,
maintenance, and setting them up for voyage if they were put into
service again.
Often enough, the shipkeeper and family would live on board one ship in
his care, so be conveniently to hand for the others.

--
Eve McLaughlin

Author of the McLaughlin Guides for family historians
Secretary Bucks Genealogical Society

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