RootsChat.Com
Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: ladybirdno1 on Sunday 25 May 08 07:38 BST (UK)
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Could someone tell me what a Colporteur is please, i have just received a document with this as the occupation on it.
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According the website of old occupations, a Colporteur is "the peddler of Religious books".
Viv
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A Book Colporteur was a pedlar who carried books etc,. usually religious literature in a pack round country districts.
From the OED
A hawker of books, newspapers, etc. esp. (in English use) one employed by a society to travel about and sell or distribute Bibles and religious writings.
from col neck + porter to carry
Stan
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Thank youStan and Viv for you replies, your answers have surprised me they had some weird names for ocupations in those days 1860.
Bev.
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You are right there, Bev.
I would think that it derives from the French - porteur = carrier, but where the "Col" comes , I do not know!!
Just looked up "col" in alta vista. It came up with "collar". That could mean something to do with the Church - they wore/wear collars.......
The web site for old occupations is: www.rmhh.co.uk/occup/
Viv
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You are right there, Bev.
I would think that it derives from the French - porteur = carrier, but where the "Col" comes , I do not know!!
Viv
A hawker of books, newspapers, etc. esp. (in English use) one employed by a society to travel about and sell or distribute Bibles and religious writings.
from col neck + porter to carry
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Hi Viv,
Thank you for the link to the site for old occupations, i am still feeling my way around the network in my quest for my Family research, i am most grateful to people like you and Stan, this is the 2nd. time i have had a very generous response.
Bev.