Whilst rooting around in your family history, you will learn what your ancestors did for a living – at least as far back to the early 1800s, and beyond if you are lucky. This is often one of the most fascinating aspects of discovering who your ancestors were. Whether they were a lowly agricultural labourer, or a highly respected surgeon, the curious and wide range of English occupations can lead you to further knowledge of how they lived their lives on a day to day basis. For some people it can be exciting to discover that a creative gene, such as writing or painting has made its way down to the present day.
Occupational information can be found on the census, back from 1911 every ten years to 1841, and sometimes beyond depending on the availability of records. Some earlier parish records did mention a man’s occupation, and other records, such as directories, wills, property deeds and tax records can also give occupational details.
Many of you will have come across occupations that are now obsolete, and will often need further explanation. What, for example, is a night soil man? Or a calenderer? Or a fag ender?
The first of these might have been found in any large town or city in the days before plumbing, emptying dry toilets. Not a job I would like to imagine any of my ancestors doing – but fascinating nonetheless.
The other two are connected to the textile industry, and will usually be found in those industrial areas where cotton was being produced – for example, Manchester. A calenderer was just a generic term for a textile industry worker. A fag ender was someone employed to trim off loose bits of cloth known as fags.
If you trawl through the census records for specific areas, you will of course find a wealth of occupations connected to that area’s industry. Sticking with Manchester for the moment, you will find many jobs associated with the cotton industry, and among the weavers, winders, packers and piecers you might also come across Fustian cutters (cloth workers who trim corded cloth), beamers (people who handle materials before weaving), billiers, billy roller operations or billymen (all terms for cotton spinners) or even an impleachers (cloth weavers).
When you find that an ancestor’s origins are in a particular area, it is worth while finding out about the major industries there, because this will no doubt have had some effect on your ancestor’s life, even if he (or she) was not directly involved in it.
For example, shoemakers are known everywhere – but a shoemaker working in Manchester would probably have had a different experience to a shoemaker who worked in a more rural area, or on the coast. Is he making shoes for factory workers, agricultural labourers, fishermen or for the well-to-do?
If your ancestor moved around, it was very likely it was to find work. Undertaking a bit of historical research on the local industries can give you a good indication of why your ancestor moved from one town to another, or from a rural area to urban. My own great-great grandfather started out as a bricklayer in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and moved to Birmingham where he became a builder and employer. You only need to find out about the building boom going on in Birmingham in the mid-19th century to work out why he made the choice to move!
There was a huge migration from rural areas to urban during the late 18th and early 19th century due to the industrial revolution and the growth of work in factories. By 1851 more people lived in towns and cities than in villages. Knowing this kind of information can place your ancestor into the backdrop of social and economic history.
Some occupations can lead you to finding further documentation. For example, workers in skilled trades may well have started out as an apprentice, and you may find the apprenticeship records at the local record office. These can give you further details about his origins and parentage.
If your ancestor worked for a big company, it may be worth finding out whether there are staff records in existence. If the company still exists, they may even keep their own set of archives.
Not only are occupations interesting in themselves – they can lead you to find out further information, whether it is more family records, or information about how your ancestor lived, and under what conditions. Much information about trades and occupations can be found on the internet, and there are many books about various trades and industries. The Society of Genealogists publishes a range of books entitled “My Ancestor was….”
Old English occupations are varied and wide-ranging, and they can tell you much about your ancestor. Make sure you always follow up this line of enquiry and find out as much as possible about what he (or she) did for a living.
Thank you, I really enjoyed reading this piece. My great grandfather was a master umbrella maker, which always pleases me. Another ancestor went on from the merchant navy to become a master biscuit maker. These sort of details put flesh on the bones of the family tree and are always a delight.
Another great post, Ros. I often say that social history and family history are inseparable – research into the former can often provide vital clues for the latter! On the other hand, family history can also give a unique and personal link to the wider context
This is really interesting. A few of my father’s ancestors were bodgers, an important part of the chairmaking industry around High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
Hi Sally – thanks for your comment. Yes, according to my Dictionary of Old Trades, a bodger was a ‘forest worker making chairs, spars, spindles etc. from un-cured wood.’ Probably one of those wonderful words lost to us since the industrial revolution.
Cheers
Ros