What is an Ind??

[Maggie.]

I have an ancestor in the 1841 census who lists his occupation as 'Ind'.  Can I take it this means 'of Independent Means' or could it mean 'Industrialist'?  To answer my own question I feel that the first option will be the correct one as the term 'industrialist' probably didn't exist in 1841, but as he was aged only 25 he must have been fortunate to be financially secure so young, so I feel the question is worth asking!!

Maggie

[kena]

Hi Maggie, it means independent I reckon.

Anna

[Maggie.]

Many thanks Anna, I agree.  Lucky bloke 

Maggie

[kena]

Hi Maggie, maybe he inherited it, just a lot of money!

Anna

[Maggie.]

Wonder what he did with it Anna, not much came our way!  Yet more unanswered questions.

Maggie

[Burrow Digger]

Could it mean that he worked for himself (what we call self-employed these days) as opposed to being an employee??

Its possible that working for ones self and having no employer could be seen as "independent".

BD

[Maggie.]

Hi Burrow Digger,
Considering what others in the family were doing then ie. they were Ivory Comb Manufacturers, I think you make a good point, although other family members in the 1841 have put their occupation as 'Comb Maker'.  Not even sure if this guy is one of mine, but he is living near another known ancestor who had his own comb making business and the surname is unusual enough to consider a connection.

Maggie

[J.J.]

You could be right, as seems there were those who were "Propertied and Independent"
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=19210#s4

This is actually a very interesting site, glad I found it...
Wood and Bark, Skins and Leather, Hair and Feathers...won't find those broken
down into categories anymore!  J.J.

[Maggie.]

What an interesting site - helps to give an idea of what life was like then.  I shall save it, thanks J.J.