Here's an odd one for you!

[imaginegenerous]

Ok, this one's a little bit of an odd question for you as it's only slightly horse-related.

I'm doing a bit of research into my family tree and have discovered that by great great grandfather was an (h)ostler (spelling's different depending on where you look!). Just wondering if anyone can think of anywhere I might be able to get more info on the work he might have done. I've got a basic idea but I'd like to delve a bit deeper if poss.

If there's anybody who hasn't fallen asleep reading this I'd be interested to hear any ideas

 

[1275gta]

My understanding is that he was either a casual farm hand, probaly seasonal work or a groom.

Hope this helps

 

[imaginegenerous]

This is generally what I thought although also could have worked at an inn as born/lived/worked in London - a bit like in Black Beauty I guess!

 

[Ezme]

An ostler is a groom of sorts. Often in coaching inns and exerienced. And its the name of a mystery colomnist in carriage driving magazine!

 

[Cop-Pop]

I think it means groom or stable person and is sometimes also means innkeeper... I can't really remember tho

 

[Ludi-doodi]

A ramdom but yet teniously linked to original question - definitions given possibly explains why 'Oster' grooming brushes are so named

 

[DidiR]

ostler - someone employed in a stable to take care of the horses

Ostler / Hostler Originally, a Hostler was the host of an Inn or (H)ostelry. Later became the man employed to look after the horses of the visitors

2 definitions from 2 places.

I seem to think it would be a retained groom AT an Inn where they would change carriage horses on a long run (London- York etc), or where they would stay the night. So the ostler was employed by the Inn, rather than it being a groom at the stables where the horses belonged.

In which case... if you can find the addresses he worked (from censuses and BMD certs) you may be able to find more local knowledge, pictures etc !!!

(I also do genealogy research!!!)

 

[imaginegenerous]

Ah ha! I have an address where he lived from one or two of the online census records but not (as yet!) where he might have worked. We don't seem to have any original BMD records for him although I know you can buy copies. I've mostly exhausted the basic online facilities so I think it's time for a visit to the archives.

Thank you all for you input - I'm glad to have a better definition of what he might have done