Stephens

[sephton]

Hi I have a Lizzie Stephens who with 3 of her sisters living with her in 1901 is listed as a club manageress, one sister is a milliner and the other 2 are dressmakers, my question is my mother rememebers rumours of a relative running a borthel, would this have been that relative? The address on the census is 28 High Street Cardigan, has anyone any knowledge of what the likelyhood of this being the case please? Any advice on where to find more info or books that may help would be gratefully recieved.

[taidgazacaz]

I read on a board here quite recently (I forget which) that prostitutes were sometimes referred to as "milliners" on censuses.

If you Google something like "prostitutes described as milliners" you should find something.

 

[taidgazacaz]

http://www.berksfhs.org.uk/journal/Dec2003/Dec2003_Prostitution_and_paramours.htm

This is interesting. See the paragraph near the bottom of the page.