Oyster hawker

[josal]

On the 1861 census I recently found an ancestor whose occupation was given as an " oyster hawker ". Or at least thats how it was transcribed and after much deliberating over the somewhat illegible original I think I would have to agree with the transcriber.

Does this sound a likely calling for someone who lived in Leeds ? I think oysters were more readily available in those days, but it still seems a bit debatable. Any thoughts, anyone ?

Joan

[Peter Goodey]

Could be pickled oysters which were popular among the poor in Victorian London so why not Leeds?

[josal]

Thanks for that suggestion, Peter. I have a book on Victorian society which gives some insight into the diet of the poor and the middle classes - it doesn't mention oysters however !

Joan

[Peter Goodey]

Try Googling on [Charles] Dickens and Oysters.

[busyglen]

Hi,

An Hawker is a seller, so I should think that an Oyster Hawker would sell or pedal Oysters. Only a guess. ;)

Glenys