What is a Scafinger?

[jennywren001]

Hi,
Just come across  occupation 'scafinger' on a 51 census entry.  Is this what we'd call a 'scaffie' if we were talking Dundonian? Someone that cleans the streets.
Thanks
Jen

[Victor Harvey]

Hi Jen,
The nearest occupation that I can find is "Scavelman" a person employed to keep the waterways and ditches clear.
Victor

[Rena]

I also think it's the old term of what has become the "scavenger";  nowadays he'd be looking for food in waste bins, but once upon a time would be picking up useful flotsum and jetsum on beaches and maintaining/cleaning streets

[jennywren001]

Thanks I thought it must be something like that..him and his mother (according to the census only 11 years older than him!) are living in a pretty grotty part of town. 
Jen

[RJ_Paton]

A Scavenger was also a term used for someone who worked in the Jute mills clearing up loose material from the floor.