Engineer occupation: what is this?

[DaveWilcox]

The father's occupation box in a church marriage record for Toxteth Park, Lancashire in 1866 is filled with the word " Engineer ".  ( I am unable to find this person in the Census. )

What might this occupation imply?  Or, what does the word engineer mean in 1866?  Engine mechanic?

Thank you,

- Neal

[Marmalady]

i have an ancestor in the North Wales/ Liverpool areas that gives his profession variously as Engineer, Marine engineer, Steam Paquet Engineer -- i presume he worked in the engine room of a ship working up and  down the coasat

this was in the 1830's - 40's

[stanmapstone]

Engineer usually means someone associated with engines, so it could be ships, coal mines, factories etc. Without knowing the industry it is not possible to be more specific.

Stan

[DaveWilcox]

Thank you Marmalady and Stan.

What you say corresponds to my preconceived thoughts.  As to which domain - e.g., marine, factory, agric., forestry, etc. - I have nothing to go on.......and i searched extensively the Census records preceding and following 1866 for a person with the same name in Lancashire and daughter, looking at occupations.

Your effort to help me is very much appreciated.

- Neal
California

[Ruskie]

Neal, if you let us know who you are looking for, we all have a try at locating him in the censuses.

Any other details you can give including names of other family members, ages, places of birth etc, might help us track him down.

Living in a major port like Liverpool it is possible your chap was involved in the shipping industry.

[Billyblue]

Engineers also oversee the building of roads and bridges.

Dawn M

[Ruskie]

Maybe he was an Engine Driver? 

[Redroger]

Maybe he was an Engine Driver? 

The definition of an engine driver as an engineer is peculiar to North America! Not used in Britain.

[RedMystic]

I have an engineer. After much digging I determined operated steam driven machinery - not on the rail lines, but for other purposes like drilling, manufacturing, etc.