DeeFM
12-06-2013, 11:17 PM
In 1871 my great grandfather was a 16 year old painter alongside his father.
Married in 1877 (I'm waiting on certificate to see his occupation).
The 1881 census has him as 'plasterer'.
On the birth registration in 1889 of his daughter, my great grandfather was described as 'plasterer journeyman' - great grandma was the informant.
In 1891 he was recorded as 'tiler and plasterer'.
My understanding of the use of journeyman is that the person would have finished his apprenticeship. Was it necessary in the 1870s and 1880s to be an apprentice or could he have just learnt the trade while working. Were apprentices paid in that time period? I can't imagine him supporting a family (they had 2 children by 1881) without some form of payment.
I don't understand the use of the word 'journeyman' between the census records where it was just 'plasterer'.
Does anyone have an explanation?
Married in 1877 (I'm waiting on certificate to see his occupation).
The 1881 census has him as 'plasterer'.
On the birth registration in 1889 of his daughter, my great grandfather was described as 'plasterer journeyman' - great grandma was the informant.
In 1891 he was recorded as 'tiler and plasterer'.
My understanding of the use of journeyman is that the person would have finished his apprenticeship. Was it necessary in the 1870s and 1880s to be an apprentice or could he have just learnt the trade while working. Were apprentices paid in that time period? I can't imagine him supporting a family (they had 2 children by 1881) without some form of payment.
I don't understand the use of the word 'journeyman' between the census records where it was just 'plasterer'.
Does anyone have an explanation?