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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Aulus on Wednesday 10 March 10 14:49 GMT (UK)
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London, Marylebone, St Mary's 10 May 1816
The same word recurs elsewhere on the page against other fathers, and also again George's brother's baptisms 3 Dec 1817 (Henry Dearlove)
The only thing I can think is that is says Trade, meaning he wasn't a gentleman or a servant, or an esquire (other occupations on the page). But I don't understand why the vicar would distinguish between men with/in? a trade and mechanics. There are a number of men described as "Mechc" on the page too.
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The word looks to me like Wade, though I've no idea what that would connote in the context of an occupation ???
ETA Having now looked at the full page with more examples of the handwriting I'm more persuaded by the possibility of Trade, which certainly makes more sense as an occupation. Perhaps it was being used to describe anybody in business with e.g. a shop.
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Perhaps Trade was to denote that he was in commerce ?
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Describing someone as being "in trade" used to be a fairly common way of describing anyone who bought and sold things for a living - the fact that others are described as being "gentlemen" "servants" or "mechanics" would seem to fit the pattern.
jds1949
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Thanks everyone.
Trade it is.