Fish Dealer, Spilsby

[bracaragh]

Hi
I've come across a relative in the 1911 census, living in Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, occupation - fish dealer.
I know I sound dumb but -
*would he have been self employed?
*would he have had a shop, or perhaps a barrow?
*would he have travelled to the docks to pick up the fish himself?
If anyone can help it would be appreciated......thanks

[Christopher]

Hi bracaragh,

You've asked some good questions regarding the occupation of a fish dealer.

I know there were auctioneers at ports where the fish were landed but I'm not certain of the various titles of the businesses that purchased the fish and how they eventually reached the barrowmen and shop owners. I'm certain everyone who sold fish didn't need to travel to the docks to attend an auction.
I think fish merchants, or their representatives, purchased from the auctioneers and saw that the fish were loaded onto trains to be transported to towns and cities to be sold on to the barrowmen and shopkeepers. I'm sorry I'm not sure where a dealer fits into the picture.

Christopher

[bracaragh]

Many thanks for your response........he's a tricky one!!! A bit of a mystery man.
Thanks anyway.