Genealogy Chat

1871Welsh census shows George Platt living at Lightwood Green in Flint aged 55 living on what looks like 'Pension from general Post Office' , tried to find when Post Office pensions started but failed. Previous census seem to show he was a tailor in Northwich area, Does any one know if he could have had this pension?, or what else it is. Thanks

Hi Vera, There is a Post Office archive; have a look at its website at http://www.postalheritage.org.uk/ Gillian

Heather Positive Thinker knows the answer.....it was in the 1850's but I forget exactly.... Merry

This is a research sheet on post office familyhistory: www.postalheritage.org.uk/research/downloads/BPMA_Info_Sheet_FamilyHistory_web.pdf It says that pensions and gratuities books start in 1719, but before 1859 most postmen did not receive a pension unless they were suffering hardship. nell

The BPMA does not usually offer a research service, however, starting on Monday next week (13th February), we will be piloting a new family history research service. This service will offer you the chance to have specific groups of records searched for reference to your ancestor. The records we will offer to search are the pensions and gratuities records for a period of 10 years (5 years either side of your ancestors expected date of retirement), and appointment records for 10 years (provided we have an estimated date of appointment to work from). This will be approximately 2 hours work, and there will be a £30.00 charge for this service. If you are interested in making use of this service, please contact us again on Monday, and we will send you full details and an order form. Dea x

Hi, I know! I did put a thread on recently - I had contacted the postal heritage museum. For normal grade (not higher grade) post office staff pensions started in 1859 - trust my bloke to die last quarter of 1858 eh. They emailed me yesterday to say they are going to do a trial look up service for £30 all in.

Thanks for your help, going to look at trade directories first as everything before this shows him as a tailor, this man is my husbands' g grandfather and any questions were always met with a don't talk about them attitude, my husband can not remember ever meeting their descendents. But whist following the tree back I found a census which showed a member of this Platt family being a visitor to a probable member of my mother in laws family! having said that hubby never met anyone other than mothers sisters and their descendents even though grandparents had siblings living in same town. There maybe a secret somewhere Anyway thanks again

I visited the Post Office Heritage Centre in London and they were extremely helpful in tracking down my ancestor's work record and making copies. I only had to pay the copying cost (under £5).

Natalie, is it easy to find the centre. I am going to the theatre in the Strand on 4 March and if it was really near, I wondered if I could pop in and out fairly sharpish?

Oh thats disappointing, the archive doesnt open every Saturday, only these dates in 2006: Saturday 11 February Saturday 8 April Saturday 10 June Saturday 12 August Saturday 14 October Saturday 9 December

I don't know if they would have any records for one of mine :- 1851 Labourer 1861 Labourer 1871 Formerley Postman (by now he was 73) If it's going to cost £30 for 5 years either side would it be likely he would be a postman at lets say 63? Yvonne

Post Office Heritage Centre is near Islington. I walked from Angel tube. It's easy to find, as it's at the back of Mount Pleasant Post Office Centre. Just follow the red postal vans heading that way!! It's within walking distance of Family Records Centre & London Metropolitan Archive. Main reason I'd recommend a visit is because the staff were so friendly and helpful!

Thanks Nat, I must say the girl who emailed me from there was very friendly and nice.