Nickel refiner in 1885

[GillS]

I am having a bit of trouble with great great Grandad John Edward Tranter. After wedding baptism and census records showing him as a Maltster in Ladywood, around 1881 he suddenly ups sticks and is a nickel refiner in Cat Hill, Minworth, Curdworth, Sutton Coldfield in 1885 according to his daughters birth record. However having googled this (and of course Google is always right) nickel refining isnt a thing until a good 30 years later than this.
There doesnt seem to be much in the Cat Hill Penn area at this point. After this, by the 1891 census he ends up in Pugh Rd Aston and becomes a house painter.
I would have just let it go, but his son is found as a vagrant aged 12 in 1899 in that area, whilst the rest of the family are still in Pugh Rd.
So my question is
what was going on in Cat Hill Penn area from 1885 to 1899, was there a nickel works? Anyone with any connections or knowledge that can guide me
Gill

 

[Morturn]

I am having a bit of trouble with great great Grandad John Edward Tranter. After wedding baptism and census records showing him as a Maltster in Ladywood, around 1881 he suddenly ups sticks and is a nickel refiner in Cat Hill, Minworth, Curdworth, Sutton Coldfield in 1885 according to his daughters birth record. However having googled this (and of course Google is always right) nickel refining isnt a thing until a good 30 years later than this.
There doesnt seem to be much in the Cat Hill Penn area at this point. After this, by the 1891 census he ends up in Pugh Rd Aston and becomes a house painter.
I would have just let it go, but his son is found as a vagrant aged 12 in 1899 in that area, whilst the rest of the family are still in Pugh Rd.
So my question is
what was going on in Cat Hill Penn area from 1885 to 1899, was there a nickel works? Anyone with any connections or knowledge that can guide me
Gill

Hi Gill and welcome to Birmingham History forum. I don’t have a direct answer to your questions but a few places and pointers to look at are:

The Bill Dargue website tells you a little about Cat Hill, Warmley.

I am also aware that the area around the Plants Brook valley was use for steel making. I recall there is some history connection with Horsfall, Latch and Batcheler, steel masters. I have a recollection of them making steel cables and trans-Atlantic communication cables.

Nickel is primarily used in steel as an alloying element to enhance its strength, and corrosion resistance. I don’t know about the time nickel refining became a thing as such, but alloy crucible steels have been around since 1,000 BC. However, as a modern production method in the UK at least from the 18th century.

 

[Pedrocut]

In 1885 he is up before the Beak for poaching. He is described as a labourer of Cats Hill, Curdworth.

 

[Pedrocut]

In the 1881 census he is down as assistant malster living with father William, a plumber.
15 Court, house2, Osler Street, Ladywood.

 

[Pedrocut]

If you follow the John Edward Tranter from the assistant Malster of Ladywood in the 1881 census, it leads to the 1891 and 1901 census where he is a house painter. Still in Birmingham, so the Tranter mentioned in post 3 may be a different chap ?

 

[pjmburns]

I assume the daughter you refer to is Jane born 1885 and whose birth is registered on Aston.
Where did you find her baptism record? Thanks

 

[Astoness]

if i have the right one there is a jane elizabeth tranter who marries in 1906 to henry scott..janes father is john tranter occ painter..

lyn