Mystery occupations. Can anyone explain what they were?

[setraynor]

I'm helping to transcribe part of the 1841 Census and I am completely stumped over the following occupations.    Anyone out there with some bright ideas on what they are?


duss maker (possibly a dress maker? I've been told it could be"Dressmaker ~ the occupation of 'dressmaker' was commonly given by prostitutes in larger towns and cities.")
duss maid
duss m possible the same as dressmaker above as . m is often used instead of maker?
h s
show m f
grocer sn
grocer li

Any thoughts?
Sharon

[RJ_Paton]

grocer li

could be licensed grocer as in licensed to sell alcohol etc. as well as foodstuffs

[teddybear1843]

Try
http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/w.html
that will take you onto the W page but you will just need to navigate.

Teddybear

[setraynor]

Thanks for the link. It has given a couple of possibilities for H S (High Sheriff/ Hush Shopkeeper).  Licenced Grocer seems logical too.

Still stumped on the 'Duss' ones, the grocer sn & show m f (maybe that's a showman fairground??)

[RJ_Paton]

could the grocer sn be grocer gn

as in greengrocer ?

[setraynor]

Looks like sn to me but it is a squiggle. I'm trying to get a picture of the entry but Adobe isn't playing ball at the moment. I'll try tomorrow evening & copy all the squiggly writing.

[polly]

could dudd maid be a dust maid dusting furniture and breakables

[laineychr]

Just looking on the reply dressmaker I hope the ones in my family were really dressmakers because there are an awfull lot of them.

[Paul E]

I'd love to know what a 'Witch Well Hole Maker' is, stumbled across in 1881 census (James Middleton, 56, Islington, Middlesex).

Possible mistranscription of:

Watch Wall Hole Maker   In which case, I would love to know what one of them is!

best wishes

Paul