Bristol Travel Forum

Is a list available of men who worked on its construction & if so Pleas where could one be obtained .
Goldie 36

In what way is this a travel question (see Travel Forum guidelines)?
But no, I would not expect anyone except the company that employed them to keep a list of people who worked on a specific engineering project.

I live in Bristol and I am looking into this for you.

(I guess that sometimes history and travel overlap!!!).

Best wishes,
Martin

It is likely that such a list will only exist as a pay-roll type of document. Most workers were illiterate when the bridge was built, and employment conditions were tenuous to say the least. If you are seeking someone who was 'important' e.g. an on-site architect/ main manager, then you may find useful relevant documents in local archives. If you are simply seeking a worker, you will have to set aside much time to trawl through any documentation which remains (much of which wil be written in rather-difficult-to-read 'copperplate' handwriting).

You will almost certainly have to visit whichever institution holds the main archives (and must first gain permission to do so), and then spend time searching yourself (unless the helpful Bristol VT-er is prepared to put in the time/effort for you).

The National Archives database notes that much bridge documentation from 1830 to the 1950's is held by Bristol University and Bristol Record Office. It might be worthwhile emailing these institutions initially. Links on this page:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/searches/codocs.asp?CR=B10974

Well, here it is, from the people who look after the bridge now!

Martin
In short NO. Construction occurred at intervals between 1831 and 1864. There were long periods when nothing happened. Not all sub-contractors are recorded let alone the labourers who were employed; Victorian labourer was cheap.

I am able to tell you that the consulting engineers who completed the Bridge 1862-64 as a monument to Isambard Kingdom Brunel were John Hawkshaw and William Barlow. The contractors were a company called Cochrane Grove & Co of Wolverhampton (who no longer exist).

Mike Rowland
Manager, Visitor Services
Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust
Tel: 0117 974 4664
www.clifton-suspension-bridge.org.uk

I notice Goldie has not logged in again since posting the question. Shame, after all the work Martin has put in.