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  1. #1
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    Default A question about barmaids

    Does anyone know how old a woman would have to be to become a barmaid in the 1870s? I am assuming she would have to be at least 18 but things may have been different then.

  2. #2
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    Why 18?

    I think she would just have to be old enough to work and big enough to see over the bar!

  3. #3
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    That's what I meant when I said that things may have been different then! Very different!

  4. #4

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    I agree with Peter.
    See if you can find any drawings or paintings of bar interiors of the period - some may show the staff.

  5. #5

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    I searched the 1871 Census by occupation only - "barmaid". The youngest (2) were 12.
    "dyfal donc a dyr y garreg"

  6. #6
    Super Moderator - Completely bonkers and will never change.
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    Default

    The 'job description' may have changed over time as well.
    'Barmaid' originally may just have been a maid who worked in a bar (cleaning, washing pots, etc) and not today's version who serves behind the bar. (That may have started during WW1 when women first began to do men's jobs.)

    Pam
    Vulcan XH558 - “Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

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