Discharger (?)

[kawood]

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

[stanmapstone]

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

[coombs]

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.

[stanmapstone]

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


Stan

[kawood]

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.

[coombs]

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