1841 Census Occupation?

[bugbear]

Hi,
 Try historical directories

http://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/cdm/map/collection/p16445coll4

Pigots 1839 Directory of Norfolk lists a John SHEPPARD, confectioner, Mere St, Diss. Also Edward Freeman, Shoemaker, Mere Street.

Could that be him?

That's very plausible (given his widow's 1851 occ, and Edward Freemans 1851 occ).

It appears that the generic "shop keeper" is therefore the best guess so far.

On a separate note, I have never managed to get useful results from that site's
search facility. Any tips?

 BugBear

[JenB]

It appears that the generic "shop keeper" is therefore the best guess so far.

It's not shop keeper.

It's shoe maker, as already pointed out. The second letter is 'm'.

[groom]

It's definately not shop keeper as it is exactly the same as Edward's occupation. Perhaps his wife ran the shop, but it was registered in his name whilst his actual occupation was shoe maker, as given in the census. Rememder we are talking 1841 when women didn't have as many rights!

[Flattybasher9]

I am kinda confused with this. We have an answer suggesting that the subject of the original question, Mr John Sheppard was a "confectioner" and another, Mr Edward Freeman, for use in writing comparison, was a "shoe maker". Both occupations were noted down by the recorder/enumerator in a very similar description. Are they both confectioners or shoe makers. In reality it seems not, as noted in the historical directories, but both are being described as so, they being one or the other, by individuals who have replied to the original post. Can someone please clarify why this should be?

Regards

Malky

[fiddlerslass]

Hi,
 Did John die before 1845, as this directory has H. SHEPHERD baker, Mere Street.

http://www.origins.org.uk/genuki/NFK/places/d/diss/white1845.shtml

[bugbear]

Hi,
 Did John die before 1845, as this directory has H. SHEPHERD baker, Mere Street.

http://www.origins.org.uk/genuki/NFK/places/d/diss/white1845.shtml

Yes, I think he died in 1843.

 BugBear