When undertaking genealogical research, encountering archaic occupation terms that are no longer in common use is inevitable. Understanding these terms is essential for accurately interpreting historical records and gaining deeper insights into your ancestors' lives. This guide provides the necessary tools to identify and comprehend the archaic occupation terms frequently found in genealogical documents.
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Identifying archaic occupation terms
When you encounter an unfamiliar occupation term in a historical record, follow these steps:
- Check the spelling: Historical documents may contain spelling variations or abbreviations. Write down the term exactly as it appears.
- Contextual clues: Look at the surrounding text to see if there are any clues that might indicate what the occupation involved. For example, the term might be listed alongside other related professions.
Utilizing online resources
Several online resources are tailored to assist genealogists in deciphering archaic occupations:
- Cyndi's List: This comprehensive website includes a section dedicated to archaic occupations (https://www.cyndislist.com/occupations/). It is a good starting point for finding definitions.
- Dictionary of Old Occupations: Websites such as the Dictionary of Old Occupations offer definitions and explanations of obsolete job titles.
- Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary: This resource can help you understand the broader historical context of the term (https://www.oed.com/thesaurus/start).
Review Historical Documents
For a deeper understanding of an archaic occupation, consult historical documents and sources:
- Census records: These often include occupations and can provide insight into the prevalence of certain jobs during specific periods.
- City directories: These lists of residents often include their occupations and can be used to track changes in employment over time.
- Apprenticeship records: In many trades, individuals had to complete apprenticeships, and these records can offer detailed descriptions of job roles.
- Occupational records: Some professions maintained detailed records, which might include job descriptions, duties, and requirements.
Understand the term in historical context
Understanding the historical context of an occupation can help you appreciate its significance:
- Economic and social context: Research the economic conditions of the time to understand why certain occupations were more common.
- Regional variations: Occupation meanings may vary by region. For instance, a "cordwainer" might specialize in high-quality shoes in one area, while the term might denote a general shoemaker in another.
- Industry-specific terms: Some occupations were specific to certain industries, such as "collier" (a coal miner) or "fletcher" (a maker of arrows).
Cross-reference with modern terms
Once you have identified and understood the archaic occupation, find its modern equivalent:
- Translation: Some occupations may have a direct modern equivalent (e.g., "miller" is still a term used today), while others may require interpretation (e.g., "chandler" could refer to a merchant specializing in candles, oils, or groceries).
- Industry evolution: Consider how the industry might have evolved. For example, "luddite" originally referred to a worker who destroyed machinery in protest, but the term has taken on broader connotations over time.
Example: Decoding "Cordwainer"
- Step 1: You find the term "cordwainer" in a 19th-century census record.
- Step 2: You use the Dictionary of Old Occupations: A-Z Index and discover that a cordwainer was a shoemaker who worked with new leather.
- Step 3: You check apprenticeship records to find that your ancestor likely trained as a cordwainer in the local guild.
- Step 4: Research reveals that cordwainers were highly regarded in urban areas during this period.
- Step 5: The modern equivalent is simply "shoemaker."
- Step 6: Document the term "cordwainer" with a note explaining its meaning and context in the 19th century.
Explore more about archaic occupation terms
- Cyndi's List - Occupations
- Dictionary of Ancient Occupations, Trades, Ranks, Offices, and Titles - RootsWeb
- Dictionary of Old Occupations: A-Z Index - Family Researcher
- List of Occupation Abbreviations - GenealogyInTime Magazine
- Obscure Old English Occupations - World Through the Lens
- Occupational Codes - A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921
- Victorian Occupations - London Census 1891 Transcription Blog