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Tracing Your Docker Ancestors (Paperback)

A Guide for Family Historians

Family History P&S History > British History P&S History > Social History

By Dr Alex Ombler
Imprint: Pen & Sword Family History
Series: Tracing Your Ancestors
Pages: 160
Illustrations: 30
ISBN: 9781526744043
Published: 25th April 2019

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Alex Ombler’s handbook is the first practical guide for family historians who wish to find out about family members who worked in British docks. In a series of concise, informative chapters he takes readers through the history of British ports and identifies research methods and materials – both local and national – through which they can discover the lives and experiences of the people who worked in them.

Many of us have ancestors who were dock labourers – in 1921 there were around 125,000 dockers across a large number of British ports – and the organizational history of the dock labour force is extremely complex. As a result, the social and family lives of dockers and their communities can be difficult to research, and that is why this book is so useful.

The history of the docks is covered as is the daily life of the dockers, and sections trace the development of trade unions, the experience of dock workers during the world wars and the decline of the docks in recent times. Dockland artefacts and communities are described, and there is a comprehensive directory of regional and national records.

Whilst intended as a guide for family historians, the book also provides a concise and interesting history of the emergence, evolution and eventual decline of the British docker. It gives the reader a fascinating insight into the dockland communities of our major and historic docks in London, Liverpool, Hull and Manchester, amongst others.

Liverpool Family Historian, March 2020

Referenced in resources part of author article

WDYTYA? Magazine, February 2020

... the social and family lives of dockers and their communities can be difficult to research, making this book very useful.

Ships Monthly, January 2020

If you have anyone associated with dock work in your family tree, this book is an absolute gem.

Essex Family History Society

In this first practical guide to be published on the subject, the author takes us through the history of British ports and the lives and experiences of those who worked in them.

Bristol & Avon FHS

"Throughout there are many illustrations and photographs of the lives of the dockworkers, and some case studies where we can read and become involved in the often precarious lives of the individual docker."

Review by

Glamorgan Family History Society

As featured in

Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society

Article: 'Wealth of fine goods on offer in centre of town 170 years ago' as featured by

South Wales Echo, 22nd November 2019 – words by Brian Lee

As featured by

Family Tree, October 2019

"If your ancestor worked as a docker this is a book that will help you understand the industry."

East Yorkshire Family History Society

Featured in

Glasgow and West Scotland Family History Magazine

Featured as prize in competition

24seven Lifestyle magazine, July 2019

Featured in: 'Pen & Sword Books have some great new releases for your book shelf. We have picked out the best'.

Waterside, issue 11

If you have ancestors who worked in the docks you'll get insight into their daily lives, whilst if you have an interest in the local history of a town or city that has a port it will provide useful background information.

Read the full review here

Lost Cousins

There are extensive references on where to find resources.

Canada's Anglo-Celtic Connections, John D Reid

The latest in Pen and Sword’s brilliant genealogical series looks at resources for people researching their ancestry who may have family members who were employed in the various docks, many of which have now disappeared or fallen into disuse.

Read the full review here

Books Monthly

About Dr Alex Ombler

In the course of researching his PhD on the history of the port of Hull, Dr Alex Ombler explored the sources relating to British dock workers and communities across the country and he has written on the subject for history and geography publications. Currently he works as an assistant in the archives and local studies service of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

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