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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: 243rose on Thursday 02 October 08 14:07 BST (UK)

Title: living on own means
Post by: 243rose on Thursday 02 October 08 14:07 BST (UK)

I have 2/3 instances of "living on own means" or "living of own accord" being entered for occupation on census returns.
The people that this refers to would not to my knowledge have been of any wealth.... is this a euphemism for something else ???

cheers
iain.

Title: Re: living on own means
Post by: joyce341 on Thursday 02 October 08 14:15 BST (UK)

 I.m not sure but would imagine they get by doing things like takeing in washing etc.
Joyce

Title: Re: living on own means
Post by: 243rose on Thursday 02 October 08 14:20 BST (UK)

i forgot to mention that these particular people were what we would condider 'retirement age' and have grown up children who were employed living with them.
perhaps they were being looked after by their kids.

Title: Re: living on own means
Post by: genjen on Thursday 02 October 08 14:27 BST (UK)

I have always assumed it to mean that whilst they were beyond the age of earning an income, they were not dependent on the parish or any other outside source for their upkeep. So maybe they had some savings but  should imagine the family would have helped too.

No doubt someone like Stan will come along soon and give the full answer. I hope!  ;)

Jen

Title: Re: living on own means
Post by: 243rose on Thursday 02 October 08 14:32 BST (UK)

Jen.

Thanks for that.
that sound about right.

Ta
Iain.

Title: Re: living on own means
Post by: behindthefrogs on Thursday 02 October 08 14:37 BST (UK)

"Own means" or "independent means" is really defining what someone wasn't rather than what he was. He had an unspecified source of income but not from a current occupation whether as employer, employee or self-employed. Nor was he a pauper. Someone with an formal pension or annuity might be described as "pensioner" (eg Chelsea Pensioner etc) or "annuitant"

David

Title: Re: living on own means
Post by: Gillg on Friday 03 October 08 11:59 BST (UK)

In census returns for my family I have one relative who had inherited money from her father - "living on her own means" - and several who were either employers or who owned their own small businesses - "own account". 

Gillg

Title: Re: living on own means
Post by: 243rose on Friday 03 October 08 12:40 BST (UK)

Thankyou Gill and David for your replies.

i suppose they were filling in what fitted best as per the guidelines accompanying the census. If they had no job to speak of and were not being paid by the parish.

Thanks

Title: Re: living on own means
Post by: meles on Friday 03 October 08 13:00 BST (UK)

I have a couple in my tree. They had managed to avoid the dreaded workhouse, but were no doubt scrimping and scratching a living.

I have seen others - not in my tree! - who are very comfortably off, thank you.

meles