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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: kawood on Monday 24 May 10 13:25 BST (UK)

Title: Discharger (?)
Post by: kawood on Monday 24 May 10 13:25 BST (UK)

Hello!!

My G Grandmother was married in Preston, Lancs in about 1875.
On her marriage certificate she declares that her father's occupation had been "Discharger".
Although she seems to have been born in Preston, it appears that most of the family came from Ireland.

Any ideas what a Discharger was?

Thanks
Kevin

Title: Re: Discharger (?)
Post by: stanmapstone on Monday 24 May 10 13:57 BST (UK)

There are nineteen types of "Discharger" in "A Dictionary of Occupational Terms" it would all depend on what industry he worked in. It basically means to unload something.

Stan

Title: Re: Discharger (?)
Post by: coombs on Monday 24 May 10 15:49 BST (UK)

When I read the title I initially assumed it may have been something to do with medical or being a doctor. I didn't know it meant to unload something. I thought they were just labourers.

Title: Re: Discharger (?)
Post by: stanmapstone on Monday 24 May 10 16:29 BST (UK)

They were basically labourers  :) not much skill involved in shoveling coal, etc. as I said it basically means to unload something.


Stan

Title: Re: Discharger (?)
Post by: kawood on Monday 24 May 10 18:42 BST (UK)

Thanks to all who responded.  It makes some sense that he was some kind of labourer. They settled in Preston and the children worked as weaver/spinners or metal workers.

There was some vague hint that he might have worked in a gaol but I can't substantiate that.

Title: Re: Discharger (?)
Post by: coombs on Tuesday 25 May 10 19:00 BST (UK)

I think many miners had certain names for their role such as hewer, screenman. I wonder if discharging was also a mining occupation.