I still think it's much more beneficial for people to do their own research rather than have AI do the work for them, but I am participating in this week's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun from Randy Seaver.
Come on, everybody, join in and accept the mission and execute it with precision.
1. Did one (or more) of your ancestors have a "different" occupation? If so, try to find out more about that occupation in Steve Little's "Sam the Digital Archivist" custom prompt using the free ChatGPT4 artificial intelligence tool. Click on the "Exploring unique ancestral occupations?" button and tell Sam in the "Ask anything" box to define and/or describe the occupation.
2. Tell us about your ancestor's "different" occupation, and what Sam had to say about it, in your own blog post, in a comment on this post, or in a Facebook post. Please leave a link on this post if you write your own post.
So I had to start by creating a login for ChatGPT4, because I have not used it previously. After I did that, confirmed my e-mail address, and logged in, I used Randy's exact phrasing, substituting the information for my 2x-great-grandfather. He didn't have a particularly different occupation, but so far none of my ancestors did. I chose him because I have previously researched what a file grinder did, and I wanted to see whether ChatGPT4 would reveal anything I had not found.
So I typed the following question for Sam:
"My 2nd great-grandfather Frederick Cleworth Dunstan (1840-1873) resided in Hulme, Lancashire, England in 1871. The census record says he was a file grinder. What was he doing?"
And this is what Sam/ChatGPT4 told me:
Great question! Your 2nd great-grandfather, Frederick Cleworth Dunstan, was a file grinder, which means he had a tough, dangerous, and highly skilled job in the metalworking industry. Let’s break it down:
What is a File Grinder?
A file grinder was responsible for sharpening, shaping, and finishing metal files used in various trades, from woodworking to metalworking. The job was part of the cutlery and tool-making industry, which was booming in industrial-era England, particularly in places like Sheffield and Lancashire.
The Process:
Rough Shaping: Workers took raw, forged metal files and ground them to the correct shape using massive, high-speed grinding wheels made of sandstone.
Sharpening the Teeth: The characteristic teeth of a file were cut (often by hand) and then refined on grinding wheels for precision.
Smoothing & Polishing: Final grinding ensured the files were smooth, sharp, and ready for sale or use.
The Danger Factor 
File grinding was one of the deadliest industrial jobs of the 19th century due to:
"Grinder’s Rot" (Silicosis & Lung Disease): Grinding metal and stone created a fine dust that workers inhaled daily. This led to serious lung diseases, often fatal.
Exploding Grinding Wheels: If a stone wheel cracked or ran too fast, it could shatter, sending razor-sharp debris flying. Many workers were killed or maimed this way.
Sparks & Fire Hazards: Grinding produced intense sparks, increasing fire risks, especially in factories filled with flammable materials.
Working Conditions
- File grinders typically worked in dimly lit, poorly ventilated workshops called grinding hulls.
- Most worked long hours (10-12 per day) for low pay.
- Protective gear? Ha! Workers had little to no protection, and safety regulations were practically nonexistent.
Why Was This Job in Hulme, Lancashire?
Hulme was part of the greater Manchester industrial area, known for its ironworking, tool-making, and manufacturing industries. Though Sheffield was the heart of steel grinding, Manchester had its fair share of metal and tool trades feeding into the broader economy.
Given that Frederick died in 1873 at only 33 years old, it raises the question:
Could his occupation have contributed to his early death? Many grinders didn’t live past 40, succumbing to lung disease or workplace accidents. If his death certificate lists lung-related illness, consumption (TB), or a sudden accident, it could be tied to his trade.
What Next?
Check Frederick’s death record—cause of death could confirm if his job played a role. Look for trade directories—they might list his employer or the workshop he worked in. Explore Hulme’s industrial history—find out more about metalworking in the area.
Something else? What do you want to dig into next?
Well, no great revelations here. As I wrote above, I have previously researched what work a file grinder did, including health hazards on the job. Frederick Cleworth Dunstan died of chronic bronchitis, which is indeed a lung-related illness, so his fatal illness likely was related to his trade.
The only thing Sam told me that I had not read before was that a file grinder was a highly skilled job. My research has indicated it was more the opposite, the type of job that people who couldn't find better ones ended up in. Part of that reasoning was related to the job hazards due to the dangerous conditions.
good work - followed directions, got the answers, critically evaluated the result. A+
ReplyDeleteThank you, Randy!
DeleteThat was interesting. I didn't know what a file grinder was.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know either until I found my great-great-grandfather listed as one in the census. Then I wanted to learn!
DeleteWhile none of us seemed to think our ancestors had an unusual occupation, I learned something new from everyone's story. A file grinder would certainly have been a candidate for lung-related diseases especially with poor working conditions and a lack of safety rules.
ReplyDeleteEspecially that lack of safety rules! I guess government regulations are helpful at times.
Delete