Tracing Fathers work history

[cheerschuck]

My father died of Mesothelioma cancer and I need to trace his work history to find out where he came into contact with Asbestos. Does anyone know if I can contact anywhere to find out his employment history. I do not have any older relatives that know

[KRUSTYMAN]

Not sure if there is anywhere that would legally allow you to find out that sort of information, have you tried old friends and relatives of your fathers to see if you can piece together some sort of history for yourself. I know how you must feel my father is suffering from the same, fortunately he worked in Portsmouth Dockyard so we know where he was working with the asbestos and he has been able to claim a compensatory pension. I can only wish you luck in your search and offer my condolences to you and your family.

[dundurn]

Did he have an occupational pension? That might take you back to an employer.

[cheerschuck]

Thank you to you both for your responses and kind thoughts. Unfortunately he was 86 and the last of his family and out lived his friends. Regards his pension he did have one from his last job before retirement but that was in the home office as a porter. It was the earlier years when he contracted it and this is the problem. I have a couple of companies but not dates or addresses and exactly what he did. Thank you both anyway.

[Eve]

Have you tried old photos or local history or geneology sites (there's a geneology who may be able to give tips on searching for old info).

Could you trace anything from a marriage certificate (not sure what was on old ones, whether occupation was stated or not).

Maybe the witnesses at the wedding if they are traceable?

Where was he from? Is it the kind of place you could ask some of the older generation round there as people tended to know much more about who was who in the past.

[KRUSTYMAN]

I agree with the last post. Old marriage certificates do have the couples occupations included but also your 'full' birth certificate and any of your siblings if any will also have your fathers occupation listed.

[Barmaid]

You can write to the Inland Revenue since they should have a list of his work history because of where he paid PAYE. I have only ever seen it done by solicitors or executors though.

[Barmaid]

If he died of mesothelioma there should normally have been a coroner's inquest and a finding of "industrial disease" - have you seen the coroner's papers which led to a full death cert?

[cheerschuck]

I wondered whether the Inland Revenue would supply the information as I do have his Nat Insurance number. There was an inquest and the paperwork said it was an Industrial disease but not where it was contracted. Thank you all very much I will sort out the wedding certificate and our birth certificates and also try writing to the Inland Revenue.

[Dollychris]

I am afraid so sorry to hear of your loss.
My husband's father died 53 years ago whilst recovering following the removal of a lung when my husband was just 6 months old. His Dad was an asbestos boiler lagger and never got to see his newborn son. The hospital didn't permit children or babies to visit with their parents as he was at an isolation hospital.
It is so sad that someone is robbed of knowing their father and there are no known family members still living to ask for more information.
Could Citizen's Advice Bureau or maybe your Dad's service records or book help?
I wish you luck in your search andour sincere condolences to you and your family.