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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Staffordshire => Topic started by: pergamond on Sunday 15 July 18 23:20 BST (UK)

Title: occupation on census - legibility
Post by: pergamond on Sunday 15 July 18 23:20 BST (UK)
The 1841 census for Ann Alleack (Allcock) born about 1806 in Staffordshire, with her husband Wm and children. I am having trouble deciphering the writing for their trade/profession, so would love some help please.
Also the 1851 census for Thomas H Alcock born about 1826 in Shelton, Staffordshire, along with his parents William and Ann, and siblings. I can't read the occupation for Thomas.
Many thanks.
Title: Re: occupation on census - legibility
Post by: avm228 on Sunday 15 July 18 23:27 BST (UK)
Ann is a pottery burnisher in 1841 I think:

http://www.thepotteries.org/jobs/Burnisher.htm
Title: Re: occupation on census - legibility
Post by: avm228 on Sunday 15 July 18 23:31 BST (UK)
In 1851 Thomas is a potter - saucer maker (as is his father).

HO107/2005/361/43.
Title: Re: occupation on census - legibility
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 15 July 18 23:40 BST (UK)
1841
pottery presser
pottery burnisher
Title: Re: occupation on census - legibility
Post by: pergamond on Monday 16 July 18 00:35 BST (UK)
Thanks Ruskie and avm. That definitely fits, and I can read it now. :)
Title: Re: occupation on census - legibility
Post by: barryd on Monday 16 July 18 02:59 BST (UK)
In three segments this site gives descriptions of most pottery jobs.

www.thepotteries.org/jobs/index.htm
Title: Re: occupation on census - legibility
Post by: pergamond on Monday 16 July 18 10:54 BST (UK)
Thanks for that Barry - really interesting.  :)
Title: Re: occupation on census - legibility
Post by: Mart 'n' Al on Monday 16 July 18 11:16 BST (UK)
Despite being very grown up, and enjoying sophisticated humour, and having been to the Potteries and having been to a Pottery Museum I still think Saggar Maker's Bottom Knocker is the funniest job title of all time.

Martin
Title: Re: occupation on census - legibility
Post by: JohninSussex on Monday 16 July 18 13:34 BST (UK)
Quote from: Mart 'n' Al on Monday 16 July 18 11:16 BST (UK)
Despite being very grown up, and enjoying sophisticated humour, and having been to the Potteries and having been to a Pottery Museum I still think Saggar Maker's Bottom Knocker is the funniest job title of all time

But it does sound like a very tedious job, just knocking bottoms all day for just a few pennies, probably standing up unless the Saggar Maker said it was OK to sit.  And worse knowing you'd never earn enough to have a Sagger of your own (and no I don't know what one is).

And then one day the bottom went out of the market.