What is the most interesting occupation in your family tree? (#1: locked)

[meg2]

Hi,
I found my g.g.g grandpa was a Broom maker in Sussex as was one of his sons and I later my g.g.g.g grandpa!
Nothing out of the ordinary elsewhere, I'm afraid lots of railway people and a station master.

I love some of the occupations listed, on 1841 census for Aboyne I was looking for my Farquhar links..I found the family of Admiral Sir Arthur  Farquhar (not anything to with my family! mine worked for him by the look of things!)  Lady F listed her occupation as 'Admiral's wife' and his daughters are listed  as 'Admiral's daughters'! 
Isn't that great?
  My Broom Maker's Mrs didn't list herself as Broom Maker's wife, doesn't have the same ring somehow!

My favourite name discovered during my searchings is Philadelphia Shoesmith'  who is on the Sussex 1841 she sounds as though she ought to have been a novelist! Lots of Philadelphia's  on 1841 in Sussex wonder why.
Meg

[suey]

Hi Meg - you're Admirals wife made me chuckle. 
Hubbies Great Grandpa was a Sgt in the Royal Artillery - and his missus described herself as Sgts Wife! Hubbies elderly Aunt remembers her Grandmother and said 'She always was a snooty piece' rofl !

Also we had a discussion over on the Sussex board somewhere re: the preponderance (phew that took some spelling) of Philadelphias in Sussex.  If I knew how I'd put up the link thingy for you 

(I've done a search but can't find that thread is there any kind soul who can help?  )
Suey.

[meg2]

Hi Suey,
I'll have a nose on the Sussex board when I have a mo to see if I can find that discussion on Philadelphias!
Odd the things you come across, still it makes life interesting.
I'm really jealous of the people who have cordwainers in their families and I'm dying to find an Obidiah  or Philadelphia in my family.
Cheers
Meg.

[TreeDigger]

Talking about names that "grab you":

Not-Wearing-Pants
Born-Naked
Bean
Of-The-Area
Under-The-Trees
Never-Thought

I guess most of my ancestors decided Napoleon's law of taking a surname was just a passing fancy. Rest assured that I for one am very happy that these are distant relatives and NOT the ones that passed on their last names to me!   

[D ap D]

Mine seem to be a varied bunch. Ive got:
 
carpenters,
butchers
Steel Workers
Coal miners
Lead miners
carters
farmers
ag labs,
labourer in Brickworks
gardener
annuitant
mayor of Derby
presbyterian ministers
C of E vicar
Lord Protector
mariner
Master Mariner
Governor of the Bank of England
Chairman of the Bank of England

but the one that intrigues me most is:

CASTRATOR

[Annahannah]

Hey, I've got an Artificial Inseminator on my tree.  I guess he made them and yours fixed them?

I also have a Tinner's Tools Maker.  What kinds of tools did tinners use?

Anne

[Rebecca Steele]

Well, I think my most interesting occupation I have found is a Cordwainer  and have yet to find out what it actually is!

I also have:

Dressmaker
Tailor
Milliner
Parlor Maid
Laundress
Hatter
Bonnet Maker
Straw Bonnet Maker
Leather Cutter
Fishmonger
Leather Merchant
Railway Clerk
Station Master
Ag Labourer (loads of them! but it had to be in there didn't it!)
Gamekeeper (several of them!)
Farmer
Cook
Domestic Servant (Coachman)
Dairyman

  They're a varied bunch but I love them!

P.S. Forgot to mention the Shopkeeper and Blacksmith too!!

[JillJ]

Basically a Cordwainer was a Shoemaker Rebecca.

Jill

[Rebecca Steele]

Oh ... thanks for that Jill! It makes sense now! 

Doesn't sound that exotic now though!