What occupation

[grantleydawn]

In this 1841 Census, I can not work out the occupation of Susannah HICKS - "W.M."

In the 1851 & 1861 census she appears as an unmarried housekeeper.

Can anyone help me, please.

Regards
Grantley

[PaulineJ]

I think it's N, not M#

Wet Nurse?

[grantleydawn]

Thankyou PaulineJ,

I have looked again and to me it appears to be W.M., based on the way the names of Mary are written on the same sheet.

There is also a 15 year old in the same house with an occupation of W.M.

But you could still be right.

Regards
Grantley

[Lidfam]

Hi Grantley

Having studied the handwriting on the page you have provided, I think what we have here is N.M which could stand for nurse monthly, although I have only ever seen them called monthly nurse.

                                                                             Dale

[Hephzibah]

Is it an area where there is manufacturing? Could the M stand for 'Maker'?

[copperbeech5]

Could it be W.M for "With Means"?

Just a thought!

Copperbeech5

[stanmapstone]

These are the official abbreviations used in the censuses


Ag. Lab. 1841-81 Agricultural labourer
Ap. 1841-61 Apprentice
Army 1841 Members of HM land forces of whatever rank
Cl. 1841-61 Clerk
FS. 1841 Female servant
H.P. 1841 Members of HM armed forces on half-pay
Ind. 1841 Independent - people living on their own means
J. 1841 Journeyman
M. 1841 Manufacturer
m. 1841 Maker - as in 'Shoe m.'
MS 1841 Male servant
Navy 1841 Members of HM naval forces, including marines,
of whatever rank
P. 1841 Pensioners in HM armed forces
Rail Lab. 1851 Railway labourer
Serv. 1861 Servant
Sh. 1841 Shopman

Stan

[grantleydawn]

Thankyou everyone, for your help with this one.

There appears to be no standard/definite answer, which leaves it to the imagination.

Luckily it isn't critical to my research.

Ta.

Regards
Grantley

[Jeuel]

Not sure about the W but perhaps the M is for maid?