Genealogy Chat

Just found a very useful book - Dictionary of Old Trades, Titles and Occupations - From Abbess and Abbrocator to Zigarius and Zoographer. If anyone is stuck please ask.

Not of any use to me at the moment, but I'm bringing it back to the top of the list because I can't believe that no one out there needs to know something from this book. Thanks for offering your help. Jan.

Hello Anne Could you tell me what a Higgler did please? Regards Margaret

Hi Anne, my gtgrandfather was a whitesmith, bellhanger and gasfitter, these jobs all go together but cant understand how. Could you help please? Thank you

Hello Anne. Does your book describe what a boot clicker does. Google only lists sites which describe people who were clickers and although it is safe to assume that they are engaged in boot/shoe making I am wondering at just what makes them click (sorry) roger

Will try to help Higgler - was a peddlar, usually with a horse and cart (Also called a haggler. The word haggler, that is someone who bargains, comes fron this name) White smith - a metal worker who deals in tin, light metals and white enamelled goods. Possible connection with bell hanger and gas fitter as he worked with softer metals. Clicker - Shoe trade worker, also leather trade worker. Printer's assistant. Also a tallyman. Would imagine that the boot clicker worked with boots as opposed to shoes. I think that I might have found myself a good pass-time with this book!!!

Thanks Anne.

Have managed to look up one or two strange occupations for other members, please ask if you are stuck, my 'little book' has some very unusual occupations. Fascinating reading!!!!! Aubobulcus...Herder of oxen Catagman....Cottage dweller Gauger...Excise officer with powers to assess and collect duty. Piecer(na)...Mill worker who joins broken threads Restio.....Rope or string maker I will post a few at a time. Please ask if you need help Anne

i know it sounds silly but what materials did a grate grinder work in, could it have been stone

Any ideas what a boxtenting worsted would have done? I have a female relative with this occupation in 1901. Thanks

Roger A 'clicker' in the boot and shoe industry is the person who cuts out the leather. It is a very skilled job, as there must be as little waste from the skin as possible. I think they are called clickers because of the noise they made with their knives on the cutting board. Janet Northamptonshire

Hi Dianne A box tenter would work in the cardroom of a woollen factory Bren

Thanks Bren! The rest of the household she was lodging with were actors! Makes you wonder what she was doing there!

My 'little book' not too helpful this time. Ruth... sorry unable to help. will keep looking. Teresa...grate grinder would have been grinding the rough edges off the metal baskets for the fire, after the casting there are always nibs to be removed. Diane... Boxtenting worsted, worsted cloth of course came from Worsted in Norfolk, north of Norwich, at their festival each summer they demonstrate the making of the cloth in the church, not had time to search the web, have been to the festival though a wonderful day out, it takes up the whole village for two days. Anne

Thank you,Anne!

Hi Ruth An Iron annealer is someone who tempers the metal -makes the iron stronger and less brittle by heating it and then slow cooling. Hope this helps Lin

anne could you tell me what a huckster was we seem to think it was a door to door salesman thanx susie

Anne Anything in your little book about 'Brass finisher' 'Stick Mounter and fitter' 'Gold and Silver mounter' 'Gold and Silver Polisher' These are all occupations of my ancestors through 3 generations. Janet

Hi Anne, I have a STRYKER and a FILE CUTTER if you have time. Thank you Trish

Thank you Anne