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What's the occupation?

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 17:31
by Hilary
Another query from a member.

1881 census RG11 3657 folio 4 page 2

John R Williams born Manchester what is his occupation?

Many thanks

Hilary
Ed Officer

What's the occupation?

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 18:28
by dickiesam
Hello Ed,
I believe it reads: Engine driver for Amer Line of stmrs.

I interpret this as Engine driver for American Line Steamship Company
See: http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/american.html

The written A in Amer could be taken as an O and it is unusual to see an upper case A written as a 'big' lower case. But I still think it is an A.
John Williams probably worked dockside for the company on a steam-driven engine. Could be a locomotive or a crane?

Dickiesam

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 19:20
by Hilary
Hi

Many thanks for that we had wondered about American Line but hadn't thought of an engine driver on the docks.

Thank you

Hilary
Ed Officer

Re: What's the occupation?

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 20:13
by MaryA
dickiesam wrote: Engine driver for Amer Line of stmrs.
Couldn't do anything but agree with that interpretation.

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 00:53
by northmeols
the engine driver on the steamship would have been the man incharge of the lever signals from the helm and ajusted the engine speed and direction in the engine room