Records we have located are showing that my 3 x great grandfather Thomas Sparrow and his brother Jonathan were qualified stonemasons. Thomas wasborn C1780 - 1785 and Jonathan was born C 1794 in Kilkenny, Ireland. (We believe they were born in or near Kilmanagh). Jonathan was literate, so it can be assumed that Thomas and their other brother James (born C1787) would have been educated as well. They had a sister Frances "Fanny" (born C1782) but we are unaware of any other siblings and we have no information on the parents of these four.
Is there any way of finding out what records are available of stonemasons apprenticeships or guild memberships from that time? If so, how would I access these?
Also, can anyone tell me where these children might have been likely to have received their education and if there are any records that could be searched to locate information on them?
Thanks,
Andrea Fitzgera.d
Andrea Fitzgerald
Wednesday 27th Feb 2013, 12:51AMMessage Board Replies
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Andrea,
Let me know if you find out anything about stone masons. My great grandfather, Jeremiah O'Shea, listed his occupation as a stone cutter, marble cutter and stone mason. He was born in the 1830s somewhere in County Kerry and emigrated to America via Canada in the 1850s or early 1860s. I found him listed as a stone cutter in a Montreal city directory in the early 1860s so he must have learned his craft in Ireland before he left. Thanks for your posting. I hadn't thought about the apprenticeship angle. I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly where in County Kerry he came from. So anything you learn will help. I'll keep my eyes out for you, too.
James O'Shea
Chicago
Wednesday 27th Feb 2013, 04:33AM -
Hi James,
If I find anything out I'll post it on this site for anyone who may be interested, especially as it seems to be a question that others need an answer to as well as me.
Cheers,
Andrea.
Andrea Fitzgerald
Wednesday 27th Feb 2013, 11:08AM