Understanding Occupations in German Research: Difference between revisions

*The treasurer [''Kastenmeister''] and tax collector [''Zentgraf''] dealt with local finances and the contributions required to be paid to the various authorities.

''Bűrger'' or neighbors were citizens with full rights. In order to become a ''Bűrger'', the applicant had to be the legitimate son of a ''Bűrger'', have a good moral reputation, meet other conditions, and pay a fee, the “''Bűrgergeld.''” Out-of-town applicants had to provide proof of legitimate birth, proof that they could support a family and proof of a certain amount of personal property, and sometimes procure affidavits of good moral character, etc. The town council decided who could become a citizen and set the fee to be paid. Citizens’ rights included a yearly gift of firewood and occasionally wood for building, as well as a right to graze cattle on the village meadow.  

''Hintersassen'' or ''Beisassen'' usually had no real property in the town, and had fewer rights than ''Bűrger''. They did not get the free yearly wood allotment and could not graze their cattle (if they had any) on town property. Taxes paid in kind, money, and unpaid labor varied among the social classes, according to social standing, income, and property owned.  

Craftsmen, such as weavers, tailors, shoemakers, bakers, carriage builders, glass blowers, etc., were among the village “middle class.” However, most of them also farmed some or had at least a garden to help feed their families. In many cases, even the pastor and the teachers did some farming.  

Young boys were apprenticed to a master tradesman after confirmation (age 12-16). The apprenticeship lasted several years. The father paid a fee to the master. At the end of this time, the master gave the young man a “''Gesellenbrief''” or journeyman letter. The journeyman spent from 2-4 years, depending on the trade, traveling the country and working for various masters. Upon his return, he produced a “master piece,” which was judged by all the master artisans of his trade in the area, and he was then able to become a master himself. Guilds allowed only those of legitimate birth to join. In many areas, especially larger towns, membership in a guild was required in order to practice a trade.  

Inns were a social center in every community. The innkeeper was a highly respected member of the community. Inns often have names such as “the Crown,” “the Stag,” “the Lion,” etc. The townspeople were required to patronize the inn and buy certain amounts of alcoholic beverages on social occasions, such as family events and Kirmes. Conversely, certain members of the community, notably the pastor and teacher, were often forbidden to frequent the inn.  

[http://genealoger.com/german/ger_occupational_records.htm “Dishonorable professions”] included those dealing with social taboos, such as crime, illness, death, and “earth.” Included were bath house owners, prostitutes, executioners, bailiffs, weavers, potters, charcoal burners, castrators, grave diggers, and many others, depending on the region. They married within their class and had no upward mobility.

The German language includes over a hundred terms that mean “farmer,” which are often listed in historical records to denote a person’s social standing. Most of these terms imply a certain position on the social scale. This scale differentiates between farmers who have more property, and therefore more rights and fewer obligations, and those who own very little land or work as farm laborers. In general, lower class meant fewer rights and more obligations.  

''Leibeigenschaft ''was a medieval form of serfdom, usually passed down through the mother. It should not be equated with slavery. ''Leibeigene'' persons were tied to the land, so their mobility was severely limited. In return for the peasants’ service, the landlord was supposed to provide support and protection in times of war, famine, and other times of need. Special permission from the landlord was required in order to marry, move to another farming estate or town, or emigrate. Some surviving records of these manumissions have been indexed and help locate the origins of pre-19^th century emigrants. Special taxes, both in kind and money, and unpaid labor on the Lord's estate, were required. When the head of household died, the best piece of livestock in the barn[''Besthaupt''] was paid to the Lord of the land. In case of his wife’s death, her best dress was the required payment. In the 17^th through 19^th centuries, most of the obligations associated with ''Leibeigenschaft'' were converted to cash payments.  

E- This leaves the farmer three half days to work for the sustenance of his own family.  

Blum, Jerome, ''The end of the old order in rural Europe'', Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, 1978, xiii, 505 p., [2] p. of pl. : ill., facsims., map, portr., ISBN 0691052662, FHL INTL BOOK 940 H6bj. Historical overview of the social emancipation of the rural peasantry in Austria-Hungary, the Baltic States, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Switzerland during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.  

Walker, Mack. ''German Home Towns: community state, and general estate, 1648-1871,'' Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1971, 473 p., ISBN/ISSN 0801406706, FHL INTL 943 H2wm.  

[[Category:Germany]]