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England Business and Occupations (view source)
Revision as of 04:25, 25 December 2013
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''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[England_Occupations|Occupations]]'' [[Image:England Occupations Tailor.png|thumb|right|207x293px|England Occupations Tailor.png]] Knowing an ancestor’s occupation can help you distinguish him or her from other individuals with the same name. The records associated with your ancestor’s occupation could provide information about his or her life and family. | ''[[England]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[England_Occupations|Occupations]]'' [[Image:England Occupations Tailor.png|thumb|right|207x293px|England Occupations Tailor.png]] Knowing an ancestor’s occupation can help you distinguish him or her from other individuals with the same name. The records associated with your ancestor’s occupation could provide information about his or her life and family. | ||
Some occupations are more likely to have records about the people in those occupations than others. There are many records of people in trades, such as bootmakers and tailors.. | |||
== What was my ancestor's occupation? == | |||
If you know: | |||
* the person's name | |||
* the geographical area where they worked | |||
* a date range to focus your search | |||
then there are several useful places to start searching for your ancestor's occupation: | |||
* '''Census records'''. The decennial census recorded the occupation of those enumerated. From 1851 trades could be listed in the census in order of importance if a person had more than one source of income. For more information on using census records, see: [[England Census]]. | |||
* '''Vital Records'''. Parish records of baptisms and marriages usually record the occupation of the father of the child in the case of a baptism and the occupations of the parties and their fathers in the case of a marriage. Parish records of burials less often record the occupation of the deceased. Civil registration of births, deaths and marriages will contain the occupation of the father in the case of a birth, the deceased in the case of a death (sometimes also that of the father) and, in respect of marriages, the occupations of the parties and their fathers. For more information on using these records, see: [[England Vital Records]]. | |||
* '''Directories'''. From the 18th century, variously styled publications began being produced which contained alphabetical lists of persons, their trades and addresses. In the 1840s, street directories began to appear which included among its listings the occupation of the householder. Post Office officials began publishing their local '''Post Office Directory''. For more guidance on using trade and other directories, see: [[Directories in England and Wales]]. | |||
Other possible sources for your ancestor's occupation include [[England Emigration and Immigration|migration records]], [[https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/England_Passenger_Lists|passenger lists]], [[United Kingdom Naturalization and Citizenship|naturalisation records]], [[England Probate Records|wills and probate records]], [[England Land and Property|land and property records]], [[England Military Records|military records]] which will also record the occupation on enlistment, and [[England Newspapers|newspaper reports]]. | |||
== Trades == | == Trades == | ||
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'''Master''' was the level after journeyman. A master was the most skilled craftsman. | '''Master''' was the level after journeyman. A master was the most skilled craftsman. | ||
== Apprenticeship Tax == | === Apprenticeship Tax === | ||
Between 1710 and 1811 a tax was assessed on the masters of the many who were apprenticed. For more information about these tax records, see the [[England Taxation|Taxation]] topic page. | Between 1710 and 1811 a tax was assessed on the masters of the many who were apprenticed. For more information about these tax records, see the [[England Taxation|Taxation]] topic page. | ||
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These records are on microfilm at The Family History Library at the following link {{FHL|281086|title-id|disp=}}] | These records are on microfilm at The Family History Library at the following link {{FHL|281086|title-id|disp=}}] | ||
== Guilds == | === Guilds === | ||
Often the craftsmen of the same trade banded together to regulate trade and protect their members’ interests. The organization they formed was a '''guild'''. Those belonging to the guild were given special privileges, such as voting, and were called '''freemen'''. In a city a freeman was also called a citizen. In a town or rural area, he was called a burgess. | Often the craftsmen of the same trade banded together to regulate trade and protect their members’ interests. The organization they formed was a '''guild'''. Those belonging to the guild were given special privileges, such as voting, and were called '''freemen'''. In a city a freeman was also called a citizen. In a town or rural area, he was called a burgess. | ||
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Freemen records are more useful than apprenticeship records because they usually give ages, birthplaces, parentage, and occupations. | Freemen records are more useful than apprenticeship records because they usually give ages, birthplaces, parentage, and occupations. | ||
== Trades' Records == | === Trades' Records === | ||
Guild records are usually among city or borough records or in the possession of the modern guild. Many are in London at the [http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Libraries/City_of_London_libraries/guildhall_lib.htm Guildhall Library]. Chapter 14 in the following book explains guild records: | Guild records are usually among city or borough records or in the possession of the modern guild. Many are in London at the [http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Libraries/City_of_London_libraries/guildhall_lib.htm Guildhall Library]. Chapter 14 in the following book explains guild records: | ||
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*[[Religious non-conformity in England]] | *[[Religious non-conformity in England]] | ||
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== Government employees and officeholders == | |||
Records of persons employed in various occupations by the government have survived in various archives. They are usually organised by employer rather than occupation. Details of officeholders have also been complied. | |||
*The Coastguard and Custom and Excise Officers: | |||
**[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/coastguard.htm The Coastguard] The National Archives Research Guide | |||
**[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/customs-officer.htm Looking for records of a Customs officer] The National Archives finding guide | |||
**[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/excise-officer.htm Looking for records of an Excise or Inland Revenue officer] The National Archives finding guide | |||
*[http://www.history.ac.uk/content/243 Office-Holders in Modern Britain] | |||
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== Definitions and Histories of Occupations == | == Definitions and Histories of Occupations == | ||