Census Records & Occupations

[ostrauts]

Dear All,

I've been tracing one of my 3rd Great Grand Uncle through the census records.  His occupation is listed from 1861 - 1891 as a Coal Merchant, but in 1871 he lists himself as a Baker.  All the information matches, birth year, address and the first born.  His wife is listed with her middle name as opposed to the other census records.

I'm doubting myself whether its the right family or not.  Mostly, due to the occupation change.  Is this something others have experienced when researching their family?

[trish1120]

Yes, Men took what work the could sometimes, esp with a Family to feed.
I have just researched a Family on here for someone and Head of Household in various Census has occp's of Butcher/Worker in Waterworks/ and Miner above Ground. Same fellow everything else matches DOB/POB/Wife/Children.

Trish

[Ruskie]

Stranger things have happened. Occupations often changed. I would maybe be more concerned that the wife's name is different.

If you post the details of him on a couple of the censuses, and also the one you believe to be him in 1871, I'm sure there are many of us who would be willing to have a look to confirm (or otherwise) that you have the right man. 

[ostrauts]

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice on occupations.  It's certainly looks to be the correct family.

[Plummiegirl]

Do be wary of assuming they are the same.

When I had a tree on Genes, I kept getting matches for a branch of my London family with a family 'oop north'

All names of family (parents and children) were the same as were the ages.  Now if I had not found my lot on every census and knew a bit about them from grandparents, I too would have thought they moved.

So do take care.