History Corner By Pat Ross & Fran Snead | ||
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It has been a while since I last wrote a blog, but, hopefully, I can get back in the swing of things to try and do this again. There is so much to learn in doing research and one thing that many times we have to question is an occupation when we find one listed on the census or in court records. Take for instance, a wagon master is the person in charge of the wagon train. That one is easy, it makes sense, but, what, for goodness sakes, is a colporteur? A colporteur is a peddler of books, and librarians should certainly know that word. Correct? No, I had never heard of that word before I did research to find out about this occupation of the past. A list follows of occupations which we have found in doing genealogical research, some you may know, some not. Wheelwright - one who builds and repairs wheels, usually wagon or buggy wheels Surveyor - a person who makes a determination of the boundaries of an area and then submits a report in the form of a plat Stuffgownsman - a junior barrister Tide waiter - Customs Inspector Scrutineer - Election judge Boniface - Innkeeper Duffer - Peddler Snobscat - Repaired Shoes Hatcheler - Combed or carded flax Tipstaff - Policeman Bluestocking - Female Writer Rattlewatch - Town Watchman Webster - Loom operator Vulcan - Blacksmith Crowner - Coroner Scrutineer - Election judge Officiator - a person who performs the duties of an officer or carries out a ceremony Mortgagor - a person who mortgages property; a borrower Ship's Master - the owner or captain of a ship Magistrates - judges of the justice court or other lower courts with jurisdiction over minor offenses and/or small claims Lay Preacher - a member of the congregation who performed minister's duties Judge - the official who presides over a trial court Husbandman - a person whose occupation is husbandry or a farmer Enumerator - Census taker Dairymaid - a female dairy worker Bondsman - a person who provides bond or surety for another person Assistant Marshal - a local census taker prior to 1880 Attorney at Law - a person licensed to practice law; also called a lawyer, counsel, counselor or barrister |