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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: ~Rachel~ on Tuesday 30 June 20 11:56 BST (UK)

Title: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: ~Rachel~ on Tuesday 30 June 20 11:56 BST (UK)
Hi,

Please could I have some help in reading this 1871 census return.

It is in the 'Rank, Profession or Occupation' column for Mary Skinner born Spitalfields, age 65, born approx 1806. Registration district Lambeth.

Thank you

Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Milliepede on Tuesday 30 June 20 11:59 BST (UK)
I'd like to help but that is :o

Don't suppose she is on the next census is she?  Might have the same thing written if we are very lucky.

Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: ~Rachel~ on Tuesday 30 June 20 12:10 BST (UK)
I'd like to help but that is :o

Don't suppose she is on the next census is she?  Might have the same thing written if we are very lucky.

She might be... I am not 100% sure I am chasing the right person.

If it's the right person then it says 'former weaveress silk' on the 1881, which would tie in with her late husband's occupation and also a previous one for her which was needlewoman.
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Tickettyboo on Tuesday 30 June 20 12:18 BST (UK)
If it helps anyone the ref is
Piece667 folio 34 page 23

and here is a scan from an alternate site
(not that its much clearer!)

Boo
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Tuesday 30 June 20 12:19 BST (UK)
It could say something like "Seamstress in charge of other seamstresses"
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Tuesday 30 June 20 12:21 BST (UK)
Or could the first part be "Sister in charge of wards...."

Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: JenB on Tuesday 30 June 20 12:29 BST (UK)
Negative image any use?

To me it seems to begin 'Sits in the [ch.....]  & waits [something something]
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Tickettyboo on Tuesday 30 June 20 12:39 BST (UK)
The head of the house above (so she 'may' be his lodger?)is a porter at a cheesemongers
could it say she

sits in the charge of and waits at (something to do with the cheesemonger?)

Its a really difficult one!

Boo
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: ~Rachel~ on Tuesday 30 June 20 12:40 BST (UK)
I've gone cross eyed this morning trying to figure it out!
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Tuesday 30 June 20 13:12 BST (UK)
Is that an occupation abbreviation superimposed over the first word?
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Karen McDonald on Tuesday 30 June 20 13:28 BST (UK)
I'm going cross-eyed, too! But I have been up since 5 o'clock this morning...

I can't help but see something along the lines of:

(???) in the charge of wards (of her daughter)

...but I may well be wrong.  ::)

Sleepy regards,
Karen
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Tuesday 30 June 20 13:42 BST (UK)
Or:

Sits in the charge and winds...

Some textile winding job?
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: JenB on Tuesday 30 June 20 14:21 BST (UK)
In the 1861 census is she Maria Skinner aged 55 born Spitalfields, with husband Thomas in South Hackney? She is a 'needleworker'.

If its one and the same I'm going out on a limb with the suggestion that the occupation is
'sits in the change and mends old clothes'.
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Tuesday 30 June 20 14:40 BST (UK)
In the 1861 census is she Maria Skinner aged 55 born Spitalfields, with husband Thomas in South Hackney? She is a 'needleworker'.

It its one and the same I'm going out on a limb with the suggestion that the occupation is
'sits in the change and mends old clothes'.

That looks very good. Do you think the bottom line could be a scribbled-over "seamstress"?
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Tickettyboo on Tuesday 30 June 20 14:52 BST (UK)

It its one and the same I'm going out on a limb with the suggestion that the occupation is
'sits in the change and mends old clothes'.

That limb seems quite sturdy to me Jennifer :-)
 
I'm struggling to think what 'the change' may have been but there's definitely a 'ge' at the end of that word and now you have posted I believe mends old clothes is right.

(and its much more likely to be correct than my OH's guess at sits in the chair waits for the Undertaker,  lol !)

Boo
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: JenB on Tuesday 30 June 20 15:55 BST (UK)
The change might perhaps be the ‘change, ie. preceded by an inverted comma, meaning ‘the exchange’.
Although why she should sit there to mend clothes is anyone’s guess.
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Tickettyboo on Tuesday 30 June 20 15:59 BST (UK)
everyone has to be somewhere :-)

Well done Jennifer!

Boo
Title: Re: Decipher 1871 census occupation
Post by: Suffolkgal on Tuesday 30 June 20 22:05 BST (UK)
Was she winding old cloth?  As in cheese cloth, perhaps.