Genealogy Forum UK

Help! I cannot take this section of my tree back any further, because the person in question doesn't actually appear on any census' with his family! His name was William Pearson Frith, and on 13/3/1862 he married Frances Anne Johns at Pembroke Dock in Wales. His father's name was listed as Joseph Frith, cabinet maker. He is of full age. His occupation is listed as Mariner.

On the birth certificate of his child in 1866 his occupation is listed as Mariner, Trinity Service. They are listed as living at King Street, Pembroke Dock. However, there the trail goes cold - he doesn't appear on the 1871 census with them, and by 1874 Frances re-marries to a Henry Rowley. There is no death record for him in that area, and the only death record I can find is for a William Frith, Corporal 18th Hussars in Southampton - can't see him transferring to the cavalry from being a mariner!!

So how on earth do I find out who this William Frith was? I can find a couple of William Frith's on earlier census' - specifically in Dronfield in Derbyshire, that has a father of Joseph - specifically the 1851 census, which shows Joseph Frith as being a 'Scale Presser' which from what I can find out a scale presser:

"Scales were the decorative side parts or plates of penknives, razors etc.
They could be made of bone, ivory, mother-of-pearl or other materials. A scale presser
heated the raw material so that it became malleable and then pressed it to
the right shape for the particular knife."

Would someone move from this onto becoming a 'cabinet maker'? Could this be the same family?

I've been stuck on this one for about 8 months now, any help would be REALLY appreciated! Does anyone know where to look for more records on the 'Trinity Service' or if it might show more about William, such as his place of birth? Please don't say go to Kew because I live near Weston Super Mare and I have no idea how I would ever get there! Help!

Hi suzi,

Googled "Trinity Service" and have come to the conclusion that it probably refers to the Trinity House Service:

"Trinity House - motto "Trinitas in Unitate" - Trinity in Unity - was
established in the C16th century and is administered by a Corporation known
as the Elder Brethren. The Duke of Edinburgh is the Senior Elder Brother.
The corporation is responsible for the maintenance of all navigation lights
around the shores of the British Isles - buoys, lightvessels and
lighthouses. Most of these are now automatic and unmanned, but for many
years both lightvessels and lighthouses were maintained by dedicated
servicemen who lived in spartan conditions in order to provide the service
to other seafarers. Many have given their lives in the service."

It sounds like your William Frith may have served aboard one of the lightvessels. Trinity House may have records of use to you. Their website is www.trinityhouse.co.uk/

Hope this helps,
Di

hi suzi there also these two iposted on your intro page dont know if you seen them pete

http://www.alk.org.uk/ (Lighthouses)

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Lighthouses/

Hi
Scale presser/cabinet maker doesn't seem an obvious switch to me.
There is a tree on Ancestry which has this Dronfield connection and also a possible 1861 census on a Royal Vavy vessel, but that doesn't quite fit as it is for a William Firth aged 26 born Barnsley.
The 1871 entry for Frances in Pembroke lists her as a wife, married and though I know that isn't 100% reliable then I would take it to mean William died after that date (unless I had proof otherwise).
None of which helps you does it? Hope the Trinity link comes up with something.

Is this still a Brick Wall?
Or have you solved it?

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