Old Occupations
Learn about the old occupations of your ancestors— were they skilled weavers, dedicated postmen, or hardworking agricultural labourers?
Find out how to locate them in different resources.
Old Occupations
My ancestor was ….
The Blacksmith
The term blacksmith refers to the black metal (iron) and “smith,” meaning to strike or shape.
In Gaelic-speaking areas, the word for blacksmith was gobha.
The Candlemaker
Before the introduction of gas and electricity, the candlemaker supplied light to homes, businesses, and places of worship. Candles also played a symbolic and practical role in Society.
The Cooper
Learn how to access pre 19th century records about the cooper old occupation.
The Cordwainer
The Cordwainer was a shoemaker, also known as a Cordiner in Scotland. The word cordwainer comes from cordovan, a fine leather historically made in Córdoba, Spain.
The Tollkeeper
If you have an ancestor who was a tollkeeper or gatekeeper in your family tree, then you have discovered an interesting occupation linked to Scotland’s roads.
The Victorian Servant
Victorian servants fell under the category of domestic service, which was once one of the largest employment sectors in Britain, second only to agriculture.
… and our list of old occupations keeps growing
Would you like your ancestor’s old occupation to be researched and be included in the list above? If yes, just let me know.
Sarah x
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