Occupation query Sheffield

[Suffolk Mawther]

Hi everyone,

I have a query that has come in to me from a researcher using my Suffolk web site 

A Suffolk boy who had been an Ag Lab moved to Sheffield presumably to find work away from the land, in 1901 he was recorded in the Census as being a HONE DRESSER.

Does anyone have any idea what this might be ?

On a personal note, I miss shopping trips to Sheffield now that our daughter has moved to Nottingham 

Suffolk Mawther ...

[peterpiper]

The wheels used to sharpen and hone blades (knife, chisel etc.) become worn with use and need "Dressing" to restore them to a good working condition, this is done using a special, tool, sometimes diamond tipped, so I suppose a "Hone Dresser" was the person who carried out the work,
hope this helps,
peter

[Suffolk Mawther]

Thank you very much Peter, 

I will forward this information to Debbie.
It's always interesting to research 'a new area' and discover more about the industries and why our country bors left the land to work in the city.

All best wishes,
SM ...
www.suffolk-surnames-list.co.uk

[Dalum]

I can't find any other reference to a 'hone dresser'. How certain is the reading? Could it be stone dresser?!

Hugh in Sheffield

[peterpiper]

Yup!!
also known as "Wheel Dresser" as in grinding wheel or sharpening wheel.
Try google for hone dresser and look through the links, you should see a selection of the tools used
peter

[goggy]

And a very nasty little job it is too!When it need's doing is when some idjit has used the center of the wheel repeatedly and a groove is formed,then when a blade is sharpened the edge is not sharpened properly,very frustrating for people on piece work!!
Also,grit from the whirling wheel,taken off by the 'dresser'almost alway's get's into the eye's.Don't suppose goggle's were mandatory back then? If you went blind,hard cheese.
                   Goggy.

[Dalum]

Of 23 hits on google all but one are modern. I would still ask if this is a clear reading of the census image 

Hugh in Sheffield

[Suffolk Mawther]

Hello Hugh,

I have been passing all the comments and suggestions on to the researcher with the query.  AND I have suggested she become a Rootschat Member - she will find all the help, support and advice here she needs right here 

As I mentioned, the query came into my web site for Suffolk, and then ancestor had moved to Sheffield for work.

Many thanks to eveyone for the help with this.

SM ...
www.suffolk-surnames-list.co.uk