Unusual Occupation?

[Ray T]

In 1901 she was  a General Servant (domestic)  -  3351/16/23

I'm sure that there were dressmakers who made dresses and those who didn't!

I assume that's her in 1901 - still showing as married, rather than widowed in 1911. It's really her husband George I'm trying to track down. He was born Shropshire c.1876 - never registered - and they married in Congleton in 1895. Where was he in 1901? I think he may have there died in 1903 - the info I have is all very sketchy. I can't even be sure I have the right Ann - this one was was around 19 years older than George

[Viktoria]

I digress- on a 1950’s / 60’s show,  A sagger maker’s bottom knocker ——it was something like “ Guess my line”, unusual occupations.
That one was to do with the potteries ,a sagger being something to do with unfired pots,and a frame they were transported on to the kilns.
Any clarification welcome.
Viktoria.

[Ray T]

I digress- on a 1950’s / 60’s show,  A sagger maker’s bottom knocker ——it was something like “ Guess my line”, unusual occupations.
That one was to do with the potteries ,a sagger being something to do with unfired pots,and a frame they were transported on to the kilns.
Any clarification welcome.
Viktoria.

http://www.thepotteries.org/bottle_kiln/saggar.htm

My grandfather was a “planker”.

[Viktoria]

Thanks for the info, I remember the hilarity in the programme.

Now a planker,I don’t want to cast aspidistras so will look it up ,but I hope you don’t mean one of them there things like wot Del Boy called Rodders- ie a Plonker!

Viktoria,

[Ray T]

It’s one of the many processes in felt hat manufacturing and involves rolling freshly made wet felt between blankets in order to shrink it. The factory had a machine to do it but never used it.

[andrewalston]

Of course "Dressmaker" was not always a euphemism for the actual occupation. Sometimes it was real and sometimes that occupation was spelled out in clear, as in the 1861 entry for Elizabeth Kennedy, an 18-year old from Stockport, who was living in Back Piccadilly, Manchester (RG9/2948 folio 88 page 31. Her actual trade and that of her neighbours, is there in the census sheets.

How did the enumerator know?

[BumbleB]

Well, he must have done the rounds as there are a number of addresses in the area where females are attributed with an additional profession 

[Ray T]

There were 4 of them at that address and another 3 two doors away. Other pages have other "euphomisms".

[Viktoria]

Sanitary Engineer——emptied the “ Dolley Vardens” .
Loos, lavies , W,Cs, only there was no water.
Seemingly because part of these  “ conveniences” resembled a bonnet as worn at the time of Dickens and Dolly was a character of his.
Help—-  “ The Old Curiosity Shop”.?
Viktoria.
Just looked it up,—“ Barnaby Rudge “ and it was “ the night soil cart ,” with its distinctive lid which was nick named The Dolly Varden.
The cart emptied the none flushing toilets.
V.