Born and Bred
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The following are the various occupations members in my family tree have been involved in. These are the occupations recorded in birth, marriage and death certificates along with census returns. It is quite possible they had other jobs as well, but these have not been recorded anywhere.
Where possible I have tried to give an explanation of the occupation. I believe the information I have presented here is correct, but if you know different, or you can help me with a description of those occupations I don't have any information for, then please contact me.
Agricultural Labourer
Most of us will have an ancestor who worked as an agricultural labourer at some point. In fact, the 1851 census records 1,460,896 people working as an “ag lab”, farm servant or shepherd – more than in any other field of employment. Only in 1871 did domestic service overtake it to the top spot.
Hide this content.Architect and Surveyor
Assistant Jam Bottler
Assistant Teacher
Assy Fitter
Baister
Baker
Bakers Van Boy
Barrack Labourer
Boatman
Someone who worked on river and canal boats. In some cases it also refers to someone who owned their own fishing boat or who worked on such vessels.
Hide this content.Boot and Shoe Shopkeeper
Boot Mender
Brewery Labourer
Butcher
Charwoman
A woman hired by the day to do odd jobs, usually cleaning, in a house - as still used today and in use as early as 1596. The word "chare" or "char" was used to describe an odd job.
Hide this content.Checker on Railway
Cloth Piecener
Someone who worked in a spinning mill, employed to piece together any threads which broke (usually a child or woman).
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