Ann Steiner
master brummie
According to earlier family research, my paternal great-grandfather was a businessman, in the Birmingham area during the 1890’s and turn-of-the-century. He was said to be a wholesale jeweler, and “had a manufacturing business in Birmingham, making and marketing silver plate, and brass and wrought iron products. He did an international business and published a beautiful catalog, embossed and cloth-bound.”
His name was Thomas Richmond Harman, but I believe because of the fact that his father’s name was also Thomas, he may have gone by his middle name Richmond.
My grandfather’s birth registration states that the family was living at 10 Hagley Road, in Smethwick at the time of his birth, and in a search of the 1891 census for the Civil Parish of Harborne, I find a listing for a “Richard Harman” (and family) “gold jeweler/employer” living at 10 Hagley Road in Smethwick. (I believe the handwriting of the enumerator was misinterpreted by the transcriber, and it should have read Richmond.)
I don’t know what name his business would have been registered under, and wonder if anyone could possibly look in the Kelly Directories for the year’s 1890 (or after?), to see if they can find a Thomas or Richmond Harman listed with a business such as the one described above. I don't know if he would have been doing business in Smethwick, where they lived, or in Birmingham proper.
Or can anyone suggest where I might look myself for any information on him? I tried Peck's Trades Directory of Birmingham 1896-97, but didn't find anything listed under his name alone, or in partnership with anyone under jewelry, metal plating, brass or iron works.
Also, supposedly the Boer War broke up the business and forced Richmond to give it up by 1902/03. I am puzzled as to why the war would have affected a thriving international business – it seems like wars often have the opposite affect. Any thoughts on this?
Thank you.
Ann Steiner
His name was Thomas Richmond Harman, but I believe because of the fact that his father’s name was also Thomas, he may have gone by his middle name Richmond.
My grandfather’s birth registration states that the family was living at 10 Hagley Road, in Smethwick at the time of his birth, and in a search of the 1891 census for the Civil Parish of Harborne, I find a listing for a “Richard Harman” (and family) “gold jeweler/employer” living at 10 Hagley Road in Smethwick. (I believe the handwriting of the enumerator was misinterpreted by the transcriber, and it should have read Richmond.)
I don’t know what name his business would have been registered under, and wonder if anyone could possibly look in the Kelly Directories for the year’s 1890 (or after?), to see if they can find a Thomas or Richmond Harman listed with a business such as the one described above. I don't know if he would have been doing business in Smethwick, where they lived, or in Birmingham proper.
Or can anyone suggest where I might look myself for any information on him? I tried Peck's Trades Directory of Birmingham 1896-97, but didn't find anything listed under his name alone, or in partnership with anyone under jewelry, metal plating, brass or iron works.
Also, supposedly the Boer War broke up the business and forced Richmond to give it up by 1902/03. I am puzzled as to why the war would have affected a thriving international business – it seems like wars often have the opposite affect. Any thoughts on this?
Thank you.
Ann Steiner
