Occupations

[Sutherland74]

Hi

On the attached 1881 Census I had originally thought the occupation of my ancestor James McKay, schedule number 19, was Vandriver. However on looking at it again it appears to be Vendriver not Vandriver. Does anyone know what a Vendriver did?

Thank you.

[KGarrad]

I'd go for vandriver - just terrible handwriting!

[a-l]

It is vandriver 

[Ian Nelson]

What type of Vans did they have in 1881 ?

[Viktoria]

Horse drawn vehicles were sometimes called vans, the old music hall song says ;-

My old man said
Follow the van ,
and don’t dilly dally on the way.
Off went the van
With my home packed in it.
I followed on
With my old cock linnet.
In Victorian times they would be enclosed ,high vehicles .
Viktoria.

[MonicaL]

A Van Driver, aka van man; drives a horse-drawn van used for collection and delivery of small goods; duties as for carman; sometimes specifically designated. e.g. delivery van driver, mail van driver, parcels van driver. "A Dictionary of Occupational Terms"
The term carter,  as well as haulier, carman, carrier, can all refer to people in charge of horse drawn vehicles, a person engaged in the road transport of goods, either on his/her own account or for an employer.
There is also Drayman, Wherry Man, Van Man, Lurry or Lorry Man, Teamster, all who were people in charge of horse drawn vehicles, for the transport of goods.

Stan

Some details from Stan on that thread.

You could also check the birth cert of his daughter Mary on Scotlands People. She shows as two months old so father James likely would give the same occupation.

Monica

[Sutherland74]

Thank you all for your replies.