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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Braindead on Tuesday 01 September 20 20:37 BST (UK)

Title: Help with occupation 1891 Canada Census COMPLETED
Post by: Braindead on Tuesday 01 September 20 20:37 BST (UK)

Can anyone help with the occupation (column 16) for Joseph Cafferata in the 1891 Canada Census?
The transcription on ancestry reads "Turnkey at Reg ??"
At the time of the census Joseph was living at Moose Jaw but had been a homesteading farmer in Regina so I'm wondering if the Reg stands for Regina.
Many thanks for your help.

Title: Re: Help with occupation 1891 Canada Census
Post by: philipsearching on Tuesday 01 September 20 20:49 BST (UK)

I would suggest turnkey as the first word.

A turnkey was a warder or jailer.

Philip

Title: Re: Help with occupation 1891 Canada Census
Post by: *Sandra* on Tuesday 01 September 20 20:52 BST (UK)

"turnkey" mentioned here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison_officer

Sandra

Title: Re: Help with occupation 1891 Canada Census
Post by: polarbear on Tuesday 01 September 20 20:54 BST (UK)

I think the last word is jail. Agree first word is turnkey.

PB

Title: Re: Help with occupation 1891 Canada Census
Post by: JenB on Tuesday 01 September 20 20:54 BST (UK)

Turnkey at (something) jail.

Title: Re: Help with occupation 1891 Canada Census
Post by: Tickettyboo on Tuesday 01 September 20 20:58 BST (UK)

I agree with turnkey at * jail,
and do think that the Reg. may be an abbreviation for Regina.
But my knowledge of the local area is zilch so I have no idea if Regina Jail is a possibility.

Boo

Title: Re: Help with occupation 1891 Canada Census
Post by: Braindead on Tuesday 01 September 20 21:08 BST (UK)

Thanks all for supplying one of those "lightbulb" moments. I needed "turnkey" explaining for me, but when you did, it brought to mind a sentence on family history written by one of his granddaughters:
"For a short time, grandfather guarded Louis Riel."
Louis Riel was executed in Regina in 1885.
So, being a turnkey in Regina Jail fits perfectly.

Title: Re: Help with occupation 1891 Canada Census
Post by: philipsearching on Wednesday 02 September 20 10:08 BST (UK)

Quote from: Braindead on Tuesday 01 September 20 21:08 BST (UK)

Thanks all for supplying one of those "lightbulb" moments. I needed "turnkey" explaining for me, but when you did, it brought to mind a sentence on family history written by one of his granddaughters:
"For a short time, grandfather guarded Louis Riel."
Louis Riel was executed in Regina in 1885.
So, being a turnkey in Regina Jail fits perfectly.

Glad to be of help.  Another success for Rootschat teamwork.

I remember a Rootschat thread some years ago along the lines of "Ancestral brushes with the rich and famous" - your ancestor would be a candidate for "Ancestral Brushers With The Unfortunate and Infamous"  :)