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 Birmingham RegD/Inc/PLU	All Saints SubD

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	166	15
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	14	2
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	18	-
Prison Service, &c.	32	9
Police	70	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	25	4
Other Local or County Official	7	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	19	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	1	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	9	-
Army Pensioner	7	-
Seaman, R.N.	1	-
Navy Pensioner	1	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	228	262
Clergymen (Established Church)	7	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	2	1
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	6	3
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	5	2
Barrister, Solicitor	4	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	16	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	18	-
Dentist	5	-
Medical Student, Assistant	9	1
Midwife	-	3
Subordinate Medical Service	2	90
Schoolmaster	50	113
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	4	23
School Service, and others connected with teaching	5	1
Author, Editor, Journalist	2	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	1	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	2	-
Civil Engineer	8	-
Mining Engineer	1	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	3	-
Painter (artist)	15	2
Engraver (artist)	19	4
Sculptor	1	-
Architect	6	-
Musician, Music Master	15	18
Art Student	1	-
Photographer	8	-
Actor	3	1
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	3	-
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	4	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	194	1,922
Domestic Coachman, Groom	19	-
Domestic Gardener	12	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	60	1,420
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	4	-
Inn, Hotel Servant	60	97
College, Club Service	9	4
Office Keeper (not Government)	12	9
Cook (not domestic)	5	7
Charwoman	-	157
Washing and Bathing Service	4	205
Hospital and Institution Service	4	22
Others engaged in Service	5	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	648	69
Merchant	20	1
Broker, Agent, Factor	45	4
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	4	-
Accountant	9	1
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	1	1
Commercial Traveller	113	1
Commercial Clerk	425	61
Bank Service	9	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	20	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	850	229
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	8	-
Railway Guard	10	1
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	12	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	216	4
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	1	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	5	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	52	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	193	1
Tramway Companies' Service	7	-
Inland Navigation Service	5	1
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	43	1
Navigation Service (on shore)	1	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	4	-
Ship Steward, Cook	1	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	79	217
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	204	4
Telegraph, Telephone Service	9	-
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	94	11
Farmer, Grazier	6	-
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	1	-
Farm Bailiff	1	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	50	8
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	-	1
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	3	2
Gardener (not domestic)	33	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	55	2
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	3	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	42	1
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	2	1
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	2	-
Drover	5	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	155	20
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	12	1
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	2	1
Bookbinder	13	12
Printer	85	5
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	6	1
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	36	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	1	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	1,294	463
Engine, Machine Maker	128	5
Millwright	7	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	311	5
Boiler Maker	83	1
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	2	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	4	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	7	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	186	3
Cutler, Scissors Maker	4	-
File Maker	17	1
Saw Maker	12	1
Pin Maker	9	28
Needle Maker	-	1
Steel Pen Maker	23	308
Pencil Maker (Wood)	1	5
Domestic Implement Maker	13	9
[Others]	-	1
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	114	38
Philosophical Instrument Maker	45	3
Electrical Apparatus Maker	4	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	44	32
Surgical Instrument Maker	2	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	199	13
Sword, Bayonet - Maker, Cutler	2	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	3	1
Type Cutter, Founder	3	1
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	63	2
Toy Maker, Dealer	5	5
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	2	-
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,166	95
Builder	38	-
Carpenter, Joiner	299	2
Bricklayer	310	2
Mason	43	-
Slater, Tiler	25	1
Plasterer, Whitewasher	37	-
Paperhanger	2	1
Plumber	25	1
Painter, Glazier	180	7
Cabinet Maker	77	16
French Polisher	7	43
Furniture Broker, Dealer	9	4
Locksmith, Bellhanger	19	1
Gas Fitter	55	1
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	11	4
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	3	-
Wood Carver	2	-
Carver, Gilder	16	11
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	4	-
Artificial Flower Maker	-	1
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	172	32
Coachmaker	76	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	15	-
Wheelwright	20	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	12	-
Others	1	3
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	48	29
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	10	1
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	10	1
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	53	10
Dye, Paint Manufacture	-	1
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	4	-
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	1	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	4	8
Chemist, Druggist	26	1
Manufacturing Chemist	12	-
Alkali Manufacture	1	-
Drysalter	5	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	11	15
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	10	14
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	1	1
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	742	188
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	70	18
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	3	9
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	10	6
Maltster	11	1
Brewer	53	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	38	6
Cellarman	7	2
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	4	2
Milkseller, Dairyman	30	16
Cheesemonger, Butterman	-	1
Butcher, Meat Salesman	127	4
Provision Curer, Dealer	12	26
Fishmonger	23	4
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	8	-
Corn Miller	9	1
Baker	122	10
Confectioner, Pastrycook	42	29
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	43	24
Sugar Refiner	1	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	124	28
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	5	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	119	74
Woolstapler	1	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	-	3
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	-	1
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	1	3
Ribbon Manufacture	1	2
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	-	3
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	-	3
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	2
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	37	1
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	-	2
Weaver (undefined)	-	3
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	3	6
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	3	2
Felt Manufacture	2	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	-	2
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	66	26
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	4	10
Trimming Maker, Dealer	-	1
Embroiderer	-	3
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	513	1,209
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	8	4
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	1
Tailor	124	99
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	7	567
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	3	70
Hosiery Manufacture	1	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	3	6
Button Maker, Dealer	149	377
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	160	42
Patten, Clog Maker	1	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	35	3
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	6	24
Accoutrement Maker	13	6
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	3	10
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	94	84
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	1	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	9	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	10	4
Furrier, Skinner	-	2
Tanner, Fellmonger	1	1
Currier	12	7
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	39	39
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	2	10
Brush, Broom, Maker	20	20
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	189	258
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	-	1
Oil and Colourman	1	-
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	4	1
Japanner	26	53
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	2	2
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Others	8	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	8	8
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	2	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	2	-
Sawyer	30	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	40	8
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	25	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	6	3
Paper Manufacture	2	3
Stationer, Law Stationer	13	16
Card, Pattern Card Maker	-	5
Paper Stainer	1	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	14	155
Ticket, Label Writer	1	1
Others	3	2
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	5,166	1,349
Coal Miner	13	-
Ironstone Miner	1	-
Mine Service	1	-
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	5	-
Coal Merchant	47	1
Coalheaver	29	-
Gas Works Service	11	1
Stone Quarrier	-	1
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	5	-
Limeburner	2	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	1	-
Well Sinker, Borer	3	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	23	3
Paviour	3	-
Road Labourer	5	-
Platelayer	9	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	33	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	6	10
Glass Manufacture	210	22
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	5	3
Waterworks Service	6	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	1,637	367
Gold, Silver, Beater	20	-
Lapidary	45	51
Others	38	55
[Iron Manufacture]	630	29
[Steel Manufacture]	40	6
Blacksmith	209	4
Whitesmith	4	-
Nail Manufacture	54	57
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	12	50
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	29	1
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	28	3
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	11	1
[Coppersmith]	11	4
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	90	75
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	14	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	155	20
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	822	34
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	40	262
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	293	49
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	104	11
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	170	108
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	148	32
Clasp, Buckle, Hinge Maker	11	11
Fancy Chain, Gilt Toy Maker	40	74
Others	93	4
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	1,341	439
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	32	69
Pawnbroker	15	15
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	35	38
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	31	5
General Labourer	590	4
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	104	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	383	116
Apprentice (undefined)	4	1
Factory Labourer (undefined)	83	147
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	64	44
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	22	1
Town Drainage Service	4	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	16	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	1	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	1	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	173	1,810
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	173	1,810
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	215	5,808
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	37	16
[Blank field, or illegible]	178	5,792

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.)