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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: emfranky on Sunday 09 August 15 20:58 BST (UK)
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I was looking at the 1841 census and saw that my relative, Thomas Watson, had the occupation of "Joiner J", does anyone know what this would have been? I think it must have something to do with Mining as they're living in Shotton Colliery, Durham where 10 other men on the page of the census record had the same "Joiner J" as their occupation. As you will see, I've attached the section referring to the family I'm looking at (in case I've misread it!).
Any help would be greatly appreciated - I can't find out what a "Joiner J" is! :)
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Is it J for Journeyman, perhaps?
STG
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J stands for journeyman, in other words a joiner who has served his time and is now employed by the day.
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J is an official abbreviation for the 1841 Census.
These are the official abbreviations used in the censuses
Ag. Lab. 1841-81 Agricultural labourer
Ap. 1841-61 Apprentice
Army 1841 Members of HM land forces of whatever rank
Cl. 1841-61 Clerk
FS. 1841 Female servant
H.P. 1841 Members of HM armed forces on half-pay
Ind. 1841 Independent - people living on their own means
J. 1841 Journeyman
M. 1841 Manufacturer
m. 1841 Maker - as in 'Shoe m.'
MS 1841 Male servant
Navy 1841 Members of HM naval forces, including marines,
of whatever rank
P. 1841 Pensioners in HM armed forces
Rail Lab. 1851 Railway labourer
Serv. 1861 Servant
Sh. 1841 Shopman
Stan
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However, isn't a Joiner a specialist carpenter? As distinct from a Journeyman which is a term used over many trades?
Dawn M
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Journeyman is not the job, it is concerning the status of the worker.
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However, isn't a Joiner a specialist carpenter? As distinct from a Journeyman which is a term used over many trades?
Dawn M
A Journeyman is one who, having served his apprenticeship to a handicraft or trade, is qualified to work at it for days' wages; who has served his apprenticeship or learned a trade or handicraft, and works at it not on his own account but as the servant or employee of another; a qualified mechanic or artisan who works for another. Distinguished on one side from apprentice, on the other from master. OED
Stan
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.... from [old] French ... Jour - Day .... Daily .... Man working for Daily wage ....
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Wow! Thank you everyone so much, I didn't think I would find out so quickly :) You've really helped explain. Do you know what sort of work he would've done? Would he have helped with the creation of timber pillars for the mine?
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Pit Props were just sawn lengths of tree trunk, prepared in a saw mill, a joiner would not be involved, see http://www.dunn247.co.uk/page%20178/Page%20178%20010.jpg
Stan
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From "A Dictionary of Occupational Terms"
Carpenter, pit; aka Joiner (colliery), pit-wright; a carpenter (maintenance), employed in maintenance and repair of colliery buildings, plant etc.
Stan
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Thank you Stan, it fits in with what my ancestor did. He maintained/ was responsible for machinery etc. for the majority of his life from the looks of things.
Thanks again,
emfranky.
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My ggrandfather was a carpenter /joiner so it's to do with woodwork.
Ringrose
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From "A Dictionary of Occupational Terms"
Carpenter, pit; aka Joiner (colliery), pit-wright; a carpenter (maintenance), employed in maintenance and repair of colliery buildings, plant etc.
Stan
As I said!
These days a joiner is usually taken to be a carpenter who makes cupboards & furniture.
Dawn M