Occupation on Census

[Gadget]

Thanks 

The first letter is definitely an O - i found and oilman on Page 4:

Also a Visitor on Page 6

Gadget

[Stumped!]

There's an Optician on page 32 where the o and  p look very similar.
But then again there's a Dissenting Minister (?) on page 34 and the D looks the same.
Peter
 

[Gadget]

I've found some very flourishing Ds 

So far i haven't picked her up on the 1851

it is very odd 

[Gadget]

Have a look at page 7 - he does the old style s and it looks vaguely like the p  - Ossera binder  - that's even worse 

[JenB]

I think it says opera binder.

Opera is a Latin word, and is the plural form of 'opus' which means 'a work'. It is often used in music ('opus number'). I have heard of musicians referring to their 'latest opus' ie their latest composition.

Taken literally therefore the occupation could possibly be a binder 'of works' i.e. some sort of bookbinder.

Jennifer

 

[pjbuk007]

I think it IS Opera Binder.  See the quote below, from the website below that.  Where is this?  I think I have seen the term binder used before in connection with musical theatre, that is as the folder the performers kept their parts in.

The vivacious life of Queensberry House during its long occupation by the Duke and Duchess cannot be described here. We are taken inside the house for a moment on a day in March 1729 when the Queensberrys' protege Gay was writing to Swift from 'the room next to our dining-room', surrounded by the sheets of his opera Polly which 'two people from the binder' were busy folding. (ref. 147) In this house Gay died, in December 1732. Some years later, in 1748, the Duchess, 'opening her house to the town with several balls and masquerades', had a stage erected where the noble family of Argyll performed several plays. (ref. 148)

From: 'Cork Street and Savile Row Area: No. 7 Burlington Gardens', Survey of London: volumes 31 and 32: St James Westminster, Part 2 (1963), pp. 455-466. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41486. Date accessed: 27 November 2007.

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41486

[Lady Di]

Oh gosh, haven't you all been busy whilst I slept - sorry to miss the fun but thank you for all your hints, clues, options and suggestions.

I also tried (and failed) to find Matilda on the 1851 so that didn't help.

The line above is her father who was the shoemaker. I hadn't thought to try and tie her occupation in with his but it really does look like Opera Binder so I guess that's what we accept for the moment.

(Unfortunately she had married by 1871 and had given up work so the '61 was the only option.)

Many thanks for your help

Di

[toni*]

http://www.census1891.com/occupations-o.htm

this site might help, gives Victorian occupations

[Gadget]

Di 

have you got a marriage cert that might give her occupation?

Gadget