wood tallyman

[mrs_tease]

I've come across a relative listed as a wood tallyman in the 1891 census. Anyone any ideas on this?

[Peter Goodey]

Context is very important in interpreting occupations. It helps to provide at least a census reference.

What "wood" means depends on the context. What sort of district? What do the neighbours do? What do other family members do?

If "wood" refers to a timber yard, a wood tallyman would be someone who measures and records timber received in the yard or despatched from it.

[mrs_tease]

he was living in the area of the docks, so possibly receiving and dispatching timber would make sense.
He lives with widow mother and elder brother who is just down as a bricklayers labourer

I dont have the reference to hand, I'm on works computer right now :D
but I will post it when i get home.
thanks