Thread: Caulkheads

Are there any other people on this board who like me have Isle of Wight connections?



My connection with the Isle of Wight is through my mother and I have traced her family history back to the 15th century. I therefore like to consider myself at least part "Caulkhead"

hi Jon
My gt gt grandad Alfred Stevens born abt 1818 was born there, but i have very little news of him apart from census forms.

regards stars

Originally Posted by Jon

Are there any other people on this board who like me have Isle of Wight connections?



My connection with the Isle of Wight is through my mother and I have traced her family history back to the 15th century. I therefore like to consider myself at least part "Caulkhead"

Hello jon,
Caulkhead is my user name on the Belfast forum. I am on the site as this is where my ol man was born 1912..Brilliant site by the way..
My mum was a Caulkhead and a Mundel, the family go way back, seven or eight generations. So i consider myself also a caulkhead even though my dads Irish. I moved across the Solent to the mainland forty odd years ago..
Where do you think the name Caulkhead originates, just thought i'd ask as i was told this by my mum and it seems to differ from other versions...
Peter..

To answer Peters question on where the slang 'Caulkheads' came from it was the boat building industry. It came from the 'Caulkers' who would fill the gaps between the boat or ships hull planking.

As an ex boat builder myself you'd do better to read some history on Caulkers rather than hear my version of events: /www.sydnassloot.com/caulking.htm

Moz.

Thanks for that Mosschops, the information i have is that working gangs used to travel from the island to carry out caulking of the deck planks onboard ships of the line, mainly at Bucklers Hard. This was regarded as a menial and tedious task, thus the name Caulkheads as opposed to the misinterpreted Corkheads which of course is another story..


The requirement for a Caulkhead are that you are at least third generation island descendants. Mine have been traced back to early 1700, with much involvement in the Royal Navy at around the Seven Year War era..A detailed study of life on board has been carried out by a family member,,fascinating..