If someone in the 19th century had 2 occupations would it be possible for both (separately) to be written on documents. The death certificate of John Postlethwaite records his occupation as Prison Officer which coincides with Census records etc However, in a newspaper article his death shows his occupation as a shoemaker. The birth of his daughter also shows him as being a master shoemaker. I'm sure they are both the same person as everything else checks out. Perhaps this was the norm?Any suggestions?
If he was really a master shoemaker and hadn't just exaggerated his occupation, he would have been apprenticed to a master shoemaker then worked as a journeyman shoemaker (i.e. for wage) for a while. If he wanted to progress to become a master shoemaker he would have to perfect his craft and produce a masterpiece for approval by members of the local shoemakers' (cordwainers') guild. Then he was entitled to call himself a master shoemaker, set up in business on his own or with partners if he wished, and train apprentices. He would also need to be literate and numerate in order to make and keep records. This would take, I guess, a minimum of 10 years. On the other hand, he might simply have learned how to make shoes, acquired funds to set himself up in a workshop and called himself a master shoemaker. Shoemaking was becoming mechanised in mid 19thC. England and changing from small and medium-sized workshops to factories. It's possible that John Posselthwaite's shoemaking prospects took a downturn as a result and he sought other employment. Shoemakers were not generally rich. Another possibility is that he had an industrial disease and had to give up shoemaking.
My shoemaker ancestor didn't progress beyond a journeyman shoemaker in mid 19thC. Preston, Lancashire. He was an active trades-unionist. A workmate, born in Westmorland, refused to join a strike; this led to a violent confrontation which resulted in a court case and prison sentences.
My ancestor's occupation on wedding and baptism registrations was cordwainer, i.e. he made quality shoes from high quality leather, made for people of quality.
There may have been different informants for the death registration and the newspaper notice. Was Helen Dempster a relative? Had she known John long? Dates of death are different. Information in the newspaper may have been sent by a relative who had known John for decades and who had more time to consider his life. I've written 2 newspaper obits; I included a previous profession in one. If a person had studied and trained for years for a profession it deserved mentioning in their death notice, even if decades had passed since they practised that occupation.