OT. Steam, UK, Fred Dibnah

[Terry, NJ]

Hunting around Youtube, I came across this series of vids about one guy named Fred Dibnah. He was a steeple jack who took the old chimneys down and restored a couple of steam vehicles with his, old contemporary to the steam age, machinery. I think the fact that he lived in Bolton, was, to me the most intriguing part, Some of my ancestors came from there as well. Certainly Fred Dibnah was a skilled working man who made working for a living fun again. But what's with that totally un-British name. It's sounds like something you'd hear anywhere but Britain, except Londonistan. Enjoy!
Terry

[C26Pinelake]

Did he own a Model A ? Wayne

[Hoogah]

Terry, you forgot the link (well, I can't see it!).

Re Dibnah, here's the lowdown from http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Dibnah:

Last name: Dibnah
Recorded as Dibnah and Dibner, this is a surname made famous by the exploits on television of steeplejack Fred Dibnah. As a surname it is actually quite rare. It is certainly English and locational, that is to say that the surname derives from a place name. In the public eye the name is associated with the county of Lancashire, but in fact the epicentre of the name is in East Yorkshire. However although the name is widely recorded in this area, it is almost certainly a derivation of something else. It does not seem to appear in the church registers before the mid 18th century, which is several centuries too late for an English surname. This suggests that either it originates from somewhere else completely, or it is from a now 'lost' village, of which the only reminder in the 20th century is the surname itself. Some five thousand British surnames are estimated to derive from 'lost' villages, so this is quite a possibility, particularly as no existing place name has a spelling anywhere near it. The make up of the surname would suggest that it means something like 'deep valley' or simlar such as the village of Dibden in the county of Hampshire, about as far away as it possible to be. Early examples of the surname recording include Francis Dibnah of Brandesburton in East Yorkshire, on November 17th 1777, and Rachel Dibnah, the daughter of John Dibnah, christened at Patrington, also in east Yorkshire, on December 11th 1814.

[updraught]

Can highly recommend his DVD's.

I think I have this one:
http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/vid...FVMIvAoddZsNCQ
which might be produced for our DVD region.

and another about industrial history like coal mining, old time engineering works making parts for steam engines etc.

[Terry, NJ]

I hate to admit this but what choice do I have? I'm "puterstupid" I cannot do anything more complicated than posting questions and replies. I cannot post a picture or a link. I try to give as much info as possible so that an interested party can easily find it. Blame me! I know that many British names have gone extinct or are only one generation from extinction. One of the names in my family line is Horton. (Yes,Edward Everett Horton and the singer Johnny Horton are both distant cousins, and I believe the Admiral Max Horton.) The Hortons were once fairly numerous around the village of Mousley in Leicestershire, now they're all gone. In America, The Horton Clan numbers around 5000+, all descended from two brothers, Barnabas 1600-1680 and Thomas? I have a friend 'whose name I wonder about too, Have you ever heard the name "Blacow"? There's him and another one in California and that's it as far as we know. My friend has irrefutable British roots, being the third generation in the US. Thanks for the reply!
Terry

Originally Posted by Hoogah

Terry, you forgot the link (well, I can't see it!).

Re Dibnah, here's the lowdown from http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Dibnah:

Last name: Dibnah
Recorded as Dibnah and Dibner, this is a surname made famous by the exploits on television of steeplejack Fred Dibnah. As a surname it is actually quite rare. It is certainly English and locational, that is to say that the surname derives from a place name. In the public eye the name is associated with the county of Lancashire, but in fact the epicentre of the name is in East Yorkshire. However although the name is widely recorded in this area, it is almost certainly a derivation of something else. It does not seem to appear in the church registers before the mid 18th century, which is several centuries too late for an English surname. This suggests that either it originates from somewhere else completely, or it is from a now 'lost' village, of which the only reminder in the 20th century is the surname itself. Some five thousand British surnames are estimated to derive from 'lost' villages, so this is quite a possibility, particularly as no existing place name has a spelling anywhere near it. The make up of the surname would suggest that it means something like 'deep valley' or simlar such as the village of Dibden in the county of Hampshire, about as far away as it possible to be. Early examples of the surname recording include Francis Dibnah of Brandesburton in East Yorkshire, on November 17th 1777, and Rachel Dibnah, the daughter of John Dibnah, christened at Patrington, also in east Yorkshire, on December 11th 1814.

[updraught]

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Just had a look at the FAQ (frequently asked questions) and I must say, I didn't find it that straight forward. Heck, I've only been on the internet for 25 years ...

Anyway, using my post above as an example, on a PC "right click" on the URL (http://www.angusrobertson.com....something) of where you want to link to and do a "copy".
In the "Quick Reply" section under "message" are a bunch of icons like AA B I U and one with a world and chain (link). Click on that and delete the "http://" there and "paste" your URL in. Click OK. It will place it where your cursor is.

The next icon (looks like scenery) can be used to insert a picture (http://www.something.jpg) the same way.

[Terry, NJ]

HUH? Duh what? Which AA BIU? Paste will gum things all up inside there! This confirms what I said 20 years ago, That they're changing the language because of this cyber world and I'm too old to get it. I hate this situation, but every time I try to correct it by learning it, I get a headache. After several tries, I've decided it ain't gonna happen. There are some things I'm just not going to know.
Terry

Originally Posted by updraught

Just had a look at the FAQ (frequently asked questions) and I must say, I didn't find it that straight forward. Heck, I've only been on the internet for 25 years ...

Anyway, using my post above as an example, on a PC "right click" on the URL (http://www.angusrobertson.com....something) of where you want to link to and do a "copy".
In the "Quick Reply" section under "message" are a bunch of icons like AA B I U and one with a world and chain (link). Click on that and delete the "http://" there and "paste" your URL in. Click OK. It will place it where your cursor is.

The next icon (looks like scenery) can be used to insert a picture (http://www.something.jpg) the same way.

[Bob C]

I watch this video on YouTube and that guy is crazy, OSHA would go through
a box of pencils and a case of paper writing him up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W_7uIapoHc

Bob

[juke joint johnny]

Fred Dibnah Was a real character !!!! I never met him but saw many of his TV Programs
He would travel all over the country going to shows on his Traction engine at just a few miles an hour

His hat was so Greasy he caught a rash on his head!!

He is a real Hero to the Old Car Crowd in Britain, and Sorely missed.

John Cochran