From the Genealogy Gems Newsletter:
How I Prevented Grandfather
From Turning In His Grave!
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I decided to feature my husband's great grandfather's blacksmith
apprenticeship record (shown above) to highlight this week's
podcast featuring British Apprenticeship Records. I had a
chance to delve into these unusual and rather rare records with Dr.
Christopher T. Watts who spoke on the subject at the recent FGS
conference.
The interview prompted me to take a another look at this old framed
piece of parchment which originated in the county of
Huntingdonshire. To my
delight I noticed a name variation I had previously overlooked.
Since the day we married, my husband has told me, "You have to make
sure that people put the "e" on the end of our name when they write
it down or my grandfather will turn in his grave!" I didn't
want to be responsible for something like that so
Continued from Newsletter... I
kept an eagle eye out and corrected all offenders.
So when was the “e” added?
And why? This
apprenticeship records may hold the key.
And it was a key hidden in plain view.
At
the top of the record the name of the father of the young
apprentice-to-be is handwritten as “Henry Cook.”
At the bottom of the document his 13 year old son Harry signs his
name as “Harry Cooke.” This
is the oldest known document featuring the “e.”
From that time forward Harry faithfully included the “e” and
carefully taught his son, my husband’s grandfather Raymond, to include
it.
From my discussion with Dr. Watts it now seems rather logical that the
evolution of the name first appears on this apprenticeship record. Apprenticeship led to a trade, and having a legitimate trade
often meant your lot in life improved.
In the later half of the 19th century it became in
vogue to make such name changes in an attempt to make the surname more
“sophisticated.” All were
attempts to improve one’s standing, both financially and socially.
Certainly this was the case for Harry.
At the end of his apprenticeship he secured a premium job with
noted carriage makers Windover and Windover. Following success there, he
was later transferred to the thriving town of Tunbridge Wells.
It was there that he ultimately started his own business “H. R.
Cooke Carriage and Motor Works.”
So
will the “Cooke with an e” name live on?
Sadly, probably not.
No other lines descending from that little county in England adopted the
“e.” And my husband’s uncle had seven girls attempting to fulfill
the goal. (Yes, I said
seven!) So after three
girls, we count our blessings and take solace in the knowledge that
Grandpa Cooke can rest easy knowing that even though there are no sons
to carry on the name, our family history research will preserve it for
generations to come.
In
addition to Dr. Watts, you'll hear from author and national speaker Rick
Crume in
Episode 52.
Enjoy!
Lisa
