Research Forum

"Holder-On" occupation
published by Jude on Tue, 06/07/2021 - 16:35

Seeing Pat's request for more items in the research forum I am eager to know what a "Holder-On" was. Whilst researching my husband's maternal line, I found his Grandfather described as this in the 1901 Scotland Census.

ALEXANDER LECKIE born 14.3.1873 in Ireland was living with his parents ALEXANDER born 1837 Ireland and MARTHA born 1839 Ireland. His youngest sibling MINNIE was born 1887 in Greenock, Scotland where the family were living in 1901, whilst brother THOMAS was born in Ireland 1881. So, sometime between 1881 and1887 the family moved to Scotland. Unfortunately, the surname LECKIE seems to be common in Ireland, so the trail has gone cold.

In 1911 Census Scotland ALEXANDER Jnr. was still in Greenock but moved to South Wales between 1911 and 1916 when another daughter was born there. in the 1939 Register ALEXANDER Jnr. is recorded as a Retired Boilermaker in Penarth. I assume he was employed in the Clydebank shipyards prior to moving to S. Wales to continue in the shipyard there.

1. Is a "Holder-On" linked to shipbuilding?

2. How can I get further back in Ireland with such a common name and no other evidence of where in Ireland the LECKIE line originated?

Comments ..

Submitted by daveerasmus on Wed, 07/07/2021 - 13:15

Hello Jude.

This link explains what a "holder on" did - https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/25151

Do the census records give any indication of where in Ireland your husband's ancestors were born?

Submitted by Jude on Wed, 07/07/2021 - 18:09

Thank you, Dave,

The link was very informative. What a dangerous job! Alexander had two brothers who were Riveters at the same time in Clydebank.

The Scotland census only gives Ireland as place of birth, although i have not paid to view the documents.

Submitted by daveerasmus on Wed, 07/07/2021 - 19:09

At the time of the 1891 census Alex Lecky (sic) and family were living at 7 Cathcart Street, Greenock. Ancestry has transcribed the place of birth as Machora, Co. Derry. I have looked at an image of the census record on Scotlandspeople and it certainly looks like Machora. I suspect it might be Maghera.

Ancestry has a marriage record for Alexander Leckey (sic) and Martha McCausland in Maghera, Derry on 13 August 1862. I think these must be your husband's ancestors.