odd occupations

[Beanie]

My Gt Grandfather was an inspector of nuisences 1880's

[Procat]

From the Dictionary of Old Trades & Occupations by Andrew & Sandra Twining:

"Inspector of nuisances

A person employed by a parish or council to inspect for breaches of law, eg bad sanitary conditions, obstruction to footpaths and roads etc. Refuse heaps, smells and insanitary conditions of all kinds were known as "nuisances". In 1846 the Nuisance Removal and Prevention of Diseases Act was passed, enabling towns to appoint inspectors to report on the offensive conditions in their areas.

In 1853 one inspector's job description was to seek out nuisances that might be injurious to health in dwelling places or buildings (such as filthy and unwholesome living conditions), to inspect ditches, gutters, drains, privies, cesspools and ash pits. He was also to inspect dwelling places where animals were kept to make sure that they caused no offence and report unclean ditches, gutters and watercourses along the highway. Later in the 19th century, it was the duty of an Inspector of Nuisances to supply disinfectant and ensure that houses with smallpox were disinfected. In 1890 the Inspector of Nuisances became a Sanitary Inspector."

[Beanie]

thank you I thought it was something like that

[GeoffD]

I have found a couple of occupations in 1841 Devon, Exeter, that are excercising my mind.

One, I am sure, is Link Worker. It definitely isn't Linen.

The other is clearly written Fringe Man.

[Procat]

Hi Geoff,

Again from the Dictionary of Old Trades & Occupations by Andrew & Sandra Twining there is this for what it is worth:

Link Boy

A boy who carried a torch to accomodate passengers with light.

Fringe Man does not rate a mention.

[Burrow Digger]

Can anyone tell me what a FWK is??
It's possibly related to being a stockinger??

Thanks

BD

[Geoffers]

Can anyone tell me what a FWK is??

Offhand no, is this from a census or certificate?

If from a census, could you give the full entry? - and are there any others 'FWK's on the same page?

Geoffers

[Ladkyis]

Frame work knitter?

[Geoffers]

I've read of people doing this as piece work and being known as 'fringers'.

Geoffers

[Sharron]

I just found a bloke whose job is described on the 1851 as "stone getter".

And I thought my job was dull!

"Hey, Jimmy Taylor, go get that stone!":D

[Procat]

Frame work knitter?

I would agree with that. I have seen a number of these especially in Nottinghamshire - what clarified it for me was that one entry was Frame work knitter and the rest FWK.

[kazrbutler]

I don't think Fringe Man in Exeter is associated with lace industry. Seems to be associated with coach lace manufacture - whatever that is. Cannot see that expensive hand made thread laces would have been used in a coach.

Also, neither are terms I have come across when I have been reading up about either Honiton Lace, Devon Trolley Lace, or even laces from other parts of the country. Working terms associated with Honiton lace industry include: Lace Maker (made individual sprigs of lace) , Lace Manufacturer (Employers of lacemakers, also controlled assembly of individual pieces of lace), Lace Dressers and Finishers ( Stiffened linen lace, Finished (pinned out to correct size, shape and ironed, Raising - lifting raised work to increase 3D effect.), Lace sewer ( applied applique lace) and Guipurers (joined sprigs or moftifs of lace with bar or net ground).

Karen
Who would love to find someone working in the bobbin lace industry in her family tree - but so far has only found bleachers and dyers or machine made Nottingham Lace!

[Davran]

Trawling through 1851 Solihull, I came across the occupation of needle pointer (amongst a number of needle makers). It set me to wondering whether needlemaking was mechanised at that date or whether they were still made by hand. Imagine what good eyesight would be needed to make the eye of a needle!

[Geoffers]

Trawling through 1851 Solihull, I came across the occupation of needle pointer.....Imagine what good eyesight would be needed to make the eye of a needle!
Better than being the needle point tester........

ouch........that okay
ouch........that okay
ouch........that okay

[tony vines]

If Frame Work Knitting is of further interest you might care to visit the second site below....it'll have you in stitches:) The link was on the home page of Leicestershire Roots website. The East Midlands was very much the heart of the FWK cottage industry and there is even a museum dedicated to the craft at Wigston near Leicester.

[GeoffD]

Hi Geoff,

Again from the Dictionary of Old Trades & Occupations by Andrew & Sandra Twining there is this for what it is worth:

Link Boy

A boy who carried a torch to accomodate passengers with light.

Fringe Man does not rate a mention.

Why didn't I think of that. I even knew what a 'link' was - it just fell out of my head, is all.

And the Fringe Man is in an area with a considerable number of Drapers and suchlike, so the garment fringe idea sort of makes sense. No Lacemakers yet in Exeter, but I had a lot in the Hemyock transcription task.