Occupation: Scavenger

[hillsandmoors]

Hello,

A relative living in Bradford all his life was seen in earlier censuses as a wool comber, later, a foundry labourer and then a 'scavenger' for at least 10 years. Sounds very depressing, but is there an official trade known as scavenger (e.g. relating to wool trade?) or does this mean basically finding old junk and reselling it?

Thanks

[NEILKE]

hi
you were right scavenger serched though rubbish trying to find things to sell it may be your rellie could have had an injury in the mill and coudnt work there anymore so tried to make a living this way.
regards neil

[behindthefrogs]

You don't give any idea of what timescale you are talking about but in Victorian times a scavenger was a street cleaner who removed refuse from the streets.

David

[NEILKE]

i recalled wacthing tony robinsons worst jobs in history which there was a bit on about the scavenger so i checked the worst jobs website and it came up with this.
regards neil

[hillsandmoors]

Thanks all,

The timescale is 1871-81.