Genealogy Chat

I have a paper cutting from the USA which refers to an ancestor of mine as an 'old time English professional'. Does anyone have any ideas if there would be any records of proffessional runners in the years 1870 to 1890

David Have you tried googling? OC

I've looked for his name, but I could turn it around and look for professional athletes.

Who said he was a professional athlete? By the end of the period there were a few professional footballers (who played part-time but were paid). Evenb household names in the 1940s were paid peanuts. Professional fighters had been around for some time. I do not recall any professional athletes for the first few decades of my life - and huge arguments when it was suggested they ought to be allowed! Clive

What was his name David and what was the newspaper cutting referring to?

A bit difficult to imagine exactly WHO would be paying a man to run in the late 1800s. Perhaps the word 'professional' referred to his approach, rather than his status? OC

Come to think of it the Olympics were not revived until 1896. 'Runners' were employed but did not run just acted as messengers (bookies runners did run when the police appeared!) Presumably there were keen athletes in sufficient numbers to justify the Olympics so there were probably coaches - who would have been paid. (I am assuming the use of the word professional means being paid). Clive

Sorry its taken me so long to come back to this thread. There was an article in the June 7th 1912 edition of the Penn Yann Democrat (Just outside New York). It covered the winning of a five mile race by Trevor William Habberfield, during the account it mentioned his father William (born 1860 in North Petherton Somerset) as being an 'Old time English professional'

How strange. And have you traced that man in the census to see what his occupation is shown as? Guess you have this, but in case you havent: Name: William Habberfield (Dad is a carpenter) Age: 1 Estimated birth year: abt 1860 Relation: Son Father's name: Charles Mother's name: Ann Gender: Male Where born: North Petherton, Somerset, England Civil parish: North Petherton County/Island: Somerset Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: View image Registration district: Bridgwater Sub-registration district: North Petherton ED, institution, or vessel: 8 Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 116 Household Members: Name Age Ann Habberfield 35 Celia Habberfield 12 Charles Habberfield 38 Edwin Habberfield 11 Eliza Habberfield 5 Henry Habberfield 7 Jane Habberfield 9 John Habberfield 14 William Habberfield 1 1881: I take it this is same family in Wales? William is a labourer in a copper works then? William Haberfield Age: 20 Estimated birth year: abt 1861 Relation: Son Father's name: Charles Mother's name: Ann Gender: Male Where born: Bridgewater, Somerset, England Civil parish: Swansea St Thomas County/Island: Glamorgan Country: Wales Street address: 22 Balaclava St Education: View image Employment status: View image Occupation: Gen Lab Coppr Wks Registration district: Swansea Sub-registration district: Swansea ED, institution, or vessel: 41 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Ann Haberfield 56 Charles Haberfield 53 Charles Haberfield 30 Henry Haberfield 23 William Haberfield 20 Cant see them in 1891 - did they go to the state by then? I can see a USA 1900 census entry for William - but I havent got US access - have you? Guess this is a rellie though, in Wales, a baker/grocer Name: Charles Habberfield Age: 68 Estimated birth year: abt 1823 Relation: Head Gender: Male Where born: North Petherton, Somerset, England Civil parish: St Thomas Ecclesiastical parish: Kilvey Town: St Thomas County/Island: Glamorgan Country: Wales Registration district: Swansea Sub-registration district: Swansea ED, institution, or vessel: 39 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Charles Habberfield 68 Sarah Habberfield 24

I wonder if it would be worth you contacting Swansea archives to find out about running clubs down there at that time?

It is him (and other relatives) in those census records. He emmigrated in 1890. I live in Swansea and have planned to go to the records office to order a birth certificate, I'll kill two birds with one stone and drop into the archive office for a chat. Tanks for the suggestions and your hard work

1910 United States Federal Census about Trevor W Habberfield Name: Trevor W Habberfield Age in 1910: 13 Estimated birth year: abt 1897 Birthplace: New York Relation to Head of House: Son Father's name: William Father's Birth Place: England Mother's name: Annie G Mother's Birth Place: England Home in 1910: Jerusalem, Yates, New York Marital Status: Single Race: White Gender: Male Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age William Habberfield 30 Annie G Habberfield 43 Violet M Habberfield 17 Trevor W Habberfield 13 Doris G Habberfield 14 Anbrey G Habberfield 12 Carliste H Habberfield 3 Harry R Habberfield 2 View Original Record View original image

Oh well done Carol - nothing on their about occupation?