Occupation Query

[Annette Witherby]

Hi Everyone,

Would someone please tell me what a 21 year old male would be working at if he were a "Boots Dom Servant".

Would he work for a Shoemaker?
Any thoughts please,
Annette

[trish251]

With no other information, I would assume his job was to clean the shoes of household members and visitors, but I sure someone else will have  a more definitive answer

Trish

[rbangorreg]

Hi Trish.
     Boots/dom servant.
 Shoe or bootmakers  helper(cut the leather) +Domestic servant.
  I am thinking back to my g-fathers time. (hope I am correct? )
   Reg.

[trish251]

I wouldn't argue -  is the person considered a dom serv to the shoemaker?

Trish

[Tephra]

Or.........he could have worked in a Hotel where the job of cleaning boots/shoes was the domain of one servant.


Barbara

[JenB]

Annette,

Is this information from a census?
If so, what is the reference number so we can have a look at the original?

Jennifer

[behindthefrogs]

In large houses and hotels one of the members of staff was known as the "Boots".  He was responsible for cleaning the boots and shoes as well as other duties.  For census purposes he was a domestic servant.

David

[JenB]

I suspect that on the original entry the words ''boots' and 'dom servant' will be in different handwriting.
'Boots' being the occupation as originally given, and 'dom servant' added later by someone classifying occupations after the census had been completed.

Jennifer

[trish251]

In large houses and hotels one of the members of staff was known as the "Boots".  He was responsible for cleaning the boots and shoes as well as other duties.  For census purposes he was a domestic servant.

David

I must have watched too many episodes of Upstairs/downstairs - maybe that's where I got the idea 

Trish