Vision of Britain | 1881 Census: Ages

1881 Census of England and Wales, Tables: Ages, Condition as to Marriage, Occupations and Birthplaces of people, Table 10 : " Occupations of Males and Females in the Division and its Registration Counties".

List West Riding RegC	Doncaster RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	148	11
Peer, M.P., Privy Councillor (not otherwise described)	2	-
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	35	4
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	25	3
Prison Service, &c.	1	2
Police	58	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	17	2
Other Local or County Official	10	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	18	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	1	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	7	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	3	-
Army Pensioner	3	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	1	-
Navy Pensioner	3	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	317	303
Clergymen (Established Church)	36	-
Roman Catholic Priest	1	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	12	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	3	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	7	1
Barrister, Solicitor	18	1
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	39	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	18	-
Dentist	7	-
Medical Student, Assistant	4	-
Midwife	-	1
Subordinate Medical Service	3	52
Schoolmaster	91	169
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	2	43
School Service, and others connected with teaching	4	2
Author, Editor, Journalist	5	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	5	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	1	-
Civil Engineer	14	-
Mining Engineer	5	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	5	-
Painter (artist)	3	1
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Architect	5	-
Musician, Music Master	14	30
Art Student	3	-
Photographer	7	2
Actor	-	1
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	1	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	3	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	312	2,818
Domestic Coachman, Groom	107	-
Domestic Gardener	42	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	125	2,442
Inn, Hotel Servant	30	36
College, Club Service	1	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	2
Cook (not domestic)	-	1
Charwoman	-	162
Washing and Bathing Service	4	152
Hospital and Institution Service	1	11
Others engaged in Service	1	12
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	280	8
Merchant	5	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	20	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	23	-
Accountant	11	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	2	5
Commercial Traveller	47	1
Commercial Clerk	130	2
Banker	1	-
Bank Service	19	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	1	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	21	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,287	9
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	215	-
Railway Guard	99	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	61	1
Other Railway Officials and Servants	496	3
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	12	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	46	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	108	2
Inland Navigation Service	14	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	103	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	1	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	46	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	2	2
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	6	-
Meter, Weigher	2	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	69	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	7	-
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	3,024	78
Farmer, Grazier	498	25
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	176	-
Farm Bailiff	66	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	1,984	51
Shepherd	47	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	3	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	12	1
Woodman	36	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	8	-
Gardener (not domestic)	194	1
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	246	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	10	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	136	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	14	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	26	-
Drover	5	-
Gamekeeper	47	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	4	1
Vermin Destroyer	2	-
Fisherman	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	81	3
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	16	2
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	3	-
Bookbinder	9	-
Printer	50	1
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	3	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	599	8
Engine, Machine Maker	85	4
Millwright	11	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	325	-
Boiler Maker	106	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	20	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	1	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	6	1
File Maker	1	-
Saw Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	30	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	4	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	2	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	4	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	2	3
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,409	13
Builder	55	-
Carpenter, Joiner	467	-
Bricklayer	266	1
Mason	176	1
Slater, Tiler	22	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	37	-
Paperhanger	3	1
Plumber	60	-
Painter, Glazier	189	1
Cabinet Maker	86	5
French Polisher	5	-
Furniture Broker, Dealer	12	4
Gas Fitter	23	-
Wood Carver	4	-
Carver, Gilder	2	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	1	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	569	4
Coachmaker	181	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	195	1
Wheelwright	108	1
Others	45	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	40	1
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	32	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	18	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	13	-
Sail Maker	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	37	8
Dye, Paint Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	32	4
Manufacturing Chemist	3	-
Alkali Manufacture	-	4
Drysalter	1	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	14	8
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	12	7
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	2	1
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	933	148
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	120	22
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	3	34
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	8	3
Maltster	32	-
Brewer	50	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	15	1
Cellarman	5	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	11	3
Milkseller, Dairyman	28	2
Cheesemonger, Butterman	3	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	212	4
Provision Curer, Dealer	21	4
Poulterer, Game Dealer	4	-
Fishmonger	41	1
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	13	3
Corn Miller	38	-
Baker	29	2
Confectioner, Pastrycook	27	21
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	35	7
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	1	3
Sugar Refiner	3	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	222	34
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	12	3
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	128	39
Woolstapler	1	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	2	1
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	1	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	3	1
Ribbon Manufacture	1	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	1
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	1	2
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	1	4
Hemp, Jute, Cocoa Fibre Manufacture	1	-
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	14	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	2	1
Weaver (undefined)	4	2
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	6	3
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	1	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	87	20
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	-	4
Trimming Maker, Dealer	1	-
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	413	706
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	6	-
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	6
Tailor	190	8
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	3	630
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	-	40
Hosiery Manufacture	2	1
Hosier, Haberdasher	6	6
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	174	10
Patten, Clog Maker	4	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	27	2
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	3
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	96	6
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	5	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	1	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	2	2
Manure Manufacture	6	1
Furrier, Skinner	2	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	27	-
Currier	44	3
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	1	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	8	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	152	6
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	3	1
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	12	1
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	23	-
Sawyer	64	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	18	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	12	2
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	3	-
Others	3	-
Stationer, Law Stationer	5	2
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	2	-
Ticket, Label Writer	1	-
Others	5	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	2,909	62
Coal Miner	1,034	9
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	8	-
Mine Service	14	1
Coal Merchant	40	1
Coalheaver	12	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	4	-
Gas Works Service	29	-
Stone Quarrier	34	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	6	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	17	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	3	-
Well Sinker, Borer	4	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	87	1
Paviour	1	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	2	-
Road Labourer	31	-
Railway Contractor	10	-
Platelayer	133	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	220	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	67	22
Glass Manufacture	339	21
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	7	2
Waterworks Service	1	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	10	1
[Iron Manufacture]	259	2
[Steel Manufacture]	3	-
Blacksmith	353	1
Whitesmith	26	-
Nail Manufacture	3	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	23	-
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	8	-
[Coppersmith]	11	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	28	-
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	2	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	76	1
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	1	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	1,591	111
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	29	30
Pawnbroker	8	-
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	58	27
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	22	-
Contractor (undefined)	3	-
General Labourer	1,101	5
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	165	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	100	21
Apprentice (undefined)	18	3
Factory Labourer (undefined)	63	12
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	24	13
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	29	2
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	21	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	3	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	3	2
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	222	2,153
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	222	2,153
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	272	8,125
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	8	1
[Blank field, or illegible]	264	8,124

Notes:

The following notes to the table appeared in the original report.

1	This table is a very special case: The original Table 10 as published by Division in the 1881 census reports was limited to data for Registration Divisions, their component Registration Counties, and just those Urban Sanitary Districts with populations of over 50,000. Data presented here for counties and higher-level units are taken from the published reports, as usual, but we also include in A Vision of Britain through Time data for Registration Districts, sub-Districts and Civil Parishes which never appeared in the original reports. These were specially created for us by the History Data Service at the University of Essex and derive from the complete transcription of the individual-level Enumerators Book data coordinated by the Genealogical Society of Utah.
2	In creating these data, each occupation listed in the enumerators books has been assigned as far as possible to the relevant category used in the published reports, but some additional categories with labels in square brackets unavoidably appear. Unlike the published statistics for higher-level units, these specially-calculated data for districts and parishes include persons under 15 or over 65. For these and other reasons, no attempt has been made to ensure that county totals for the districts or parishes match the published county totals. The remaining notes are those that appeared below the original published table.
3	NOTE.--Persons returned as engaged in more than one occupation have been referred to the one that appeared to be of most importance; or if there was no difference in this respect, to the one first given by the person in his or her return. In some cases special rules have been followed: e.g. "Clergyman and Schoolmaster" in combination has always been referred to "Schoolmaster"; a Member of Parliament or Peer engaged in any branch of commerce or industry has always been referred to this latter, not to "Peer, M.P.".
4	The numbers returned under any heading include Labourers, Apprentices, and Assistants, as well as Masters, but not Clerks, Messengers, Errand boys, Porters, or Watchmen, for which occupations there are special headings. Civil, Military, and Naval Clerks, Law, Bank, Insurance, and Railway Clerks, and Government and Railway Porters, are, however, exceptions to this rule. Many young persons, being Apprentices or Assistants, have therefore been referred to occupations usually followed by adults. Women also, chiefly widows or orphans carrying on the business of their deceased husbands or fathers, will sometimes be found under occupations commonly followed by men only.
5	Persons returned as retired from any business have not been referred to that business. Inmates of workhouses have been referred to their trades, unless their age or infirmities showed that they were past work. But persons who might be supposed to be only temporarily separated from their usual employment, such as Prisoners, and Patients in General Hospitals, have been classed under their usual occupations.
6	In some cases, for convenience of space, the male designation, e.g. "Schoolmaster", alone is given, instead of "Schoolmaster, Schoolmistress".

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This website does not try to provide an exact replica of the original printed census tables, which often had thousands of rows and far more columns than will fit on our web pages. Instead, we let you drill down from national totals to the most detailed data available. The column headings are those that appeared in the original printed report. The numbers presented here, which are the same ones we use to create statistical maps and graphs, come from the census table and have usually been carefully checked.

The system can only hold statistics for units listed in our administrative gazetteer, so some rows from the original table may be missing. Sometimes big low-level units, like urban parishes, were divided between more than one higher-level units, like Registration sub-Districts. This is why some pages will give a higher figure for a lower-level unit: it covers the whole of the lower-level unit, not just the part within the current higher-level unit.

Acknowledgments:

We are grateful to the following contributors. If you make use of the data in your own work, please follow any instructions given here on acknowledgment and re-use.

(1) Kevin Schurer (Department of Geography, University of Cambridge). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)

(2) Matthew Woollard (UK Data Service, University of Essex). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)