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Census Lookups General Lookups => Census and Resource Discussion => Topic started by: Maggie. on Thursday 21 September 06 17:55 BST (UK)

Title: What is an Ind??
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 21 September 06 17:55 BST (UK)
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
Title: Re: What is an Ind??
Post by: kena on Thursday 21 September 06 17:57 BST (UK)
Hi Maggie, it means independent I reckon.

Anna
Title: Re: What is an Ind??
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 21 September 06 18:21 BST (UK)
Many thanks Anna, I agree.  Lucky bloke  :o

Maggie
Title: Re: What is an Ind??
Post by: kena on Thursday 21 September 06 18:44 BST (UK)
Hi Maggie, maybe he inherited it, just a lot of money!

Anna
Title: Re: What is an Ind??
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 21 September 06 19:21 BST (UK)
Wonder what he did with it Anna, not much came our way!  Yet more unanswered questions.

Maggie
Title: Re: What is an Ind??
Post by: Burrow Digger on Thursday 21 September 06 19:28 BST (UK)

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
Title: Re: What is an Ind??
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 21 September 06 19:37 BST (UK)
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
Title: Re: What is an Ind??
Post by: J.J. on Thursday 21 September 06 19:57 BST (UK)
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.
Title: Re: What is an Ind??
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 21 September 06 20:20 BST (UK)
What an interesting site - helps to give an idea of what life was like then.  I shall save it, thanks J.J.
Title: Re: What is an Ind??
Post by: stephen7 on Wednesday 27 September 06 06:30 BST (UK)
i agree, .............. independent means,
 i never have this problem all my ancestors were Ag. Labs.  :(
Title: Re: What is an Ind??
Post by: Maggie. on Wednesday 27 September 06 08:37 BST (UK)
Most of mine were mill workers Stephen, apart from the odd Scavenger - that's why an Ind needs urgent investigation, although what happened to any money I have no idea!!!   :'(

Regards Maggie