What was a Linner?

[GeorgeF]

Dear All, I have an ancestor who is recorded as being a Linner by occupation c1860. Does anyone know what this "trade" may have been?
Thanks in anticipation
George F

[Lincoln Lad]

Could it be Liner? According to this site Here it could be a Flax Dresser.
Or if Limner an illuminator of books, painter or drawer.

[Peter Goodey]

What's the context? Locality? What other evidence is there from censuses etc?

There are several linners in the 1881 census but they mostly seem to be liners of one sort or another.

If it's a flax growing area, consider Lincoln Lad's suggestion. Lin, lynn, linn etc is an old dialect word for flax. Linner could relate to other associated trades eg linseed as well as linen.

But it all depends on context!

[GeorgeF]

The person concerned lived in Newbottle nr Durham. He was described as a Linner on the 1861 census and I have the same written on a childs birth cert from the same era. A son was a miner and a daughter was an agricultural labourer. I really have nothing more to go on??

[Browneyes]

I've looked at RG9 3753 on the 1861 census covering Newbottle which shows a Micheal Gaffings with the same occupation. The first letter, to me, appears to be a 'T' and not an 'L'. I compared it with the way Thomas is written in several places on that page. (For help with reading handwriting search Palaeography)

If it is a 'T' that would mean he is a 'Tinner' which, according to the OED is...

"One who gets or digs tin ore; a tin-miner.
One who works in tin; a tin-plater, tinman, tinsmith.
One who tins meat, fruit, etc.; a canner"

The first one would make more sense considering you said the son is a miner...if it's a tin mine.

[Sue Mackay]

I think you've cracked it Browneyes. Given that George's profile says he is researching the name Gaffney, I think the census entry at
RG9; Piece: 3753; Folio: 13; Page: 20 actually says Michael GAFFINY (followed by a tick, as in the entries above it), and the occupation would appear to be Tinner.

[Browneyes]

PS I also compared the way the letter 'L' is written elsewhere on the page.

[Browneyes]

oooh. I hope so,

and, sorry I didn't focus on the name.. you're right I think it is Gaffiny too

[GeorgeF]

This is all first class stuff - thanks to everyone who spent some time offering their advice

George F