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1901 census ref: RG13/377 fol. 35 p.62 First person on page Charles Carter - occupation looks like 'general plate dealer?' Also Charles' son, also Charles, just below him - looks like 'district port messenger' - would welcome confirmation/other ideas. Thanks nell

What area of the country are you looking at as there are over 1300 Charles Carter's on Ancestry 1901. Kath. x

Charles Carter the Head - 3rd word looks like Traveller to me Nell

Sammy You're right, my fingers fell over the keyboard! Its the plate word I have a problem with - the transcription says 'mate' which makes no sense to me. Kathleen The address is 100 Westmoreland Road, Newington, Southwark. nell

Charles junior is 'District messenger', then whoever was processing the information wrote 'post' on as the category they were counting him in. Still trying to make out Charles senior. Kate.

Could it be 'Mineral Slate Traveller'? The first letter looks so like the M of Married, doesn't it? Oh, and I just realised his next door neighbour has the same occupation, so look at that one too! Kate.

Hi Nell I think it reads - district messenger 'port' could the other one read Mineral plate traveller

The son's occupation looks to me like 'district messenger' and above is written the word 'post' - probably a postman or telegraph deliverer. I'll have another look at the father's occupation. Kath. x

And this is my last try... Mineral Water Traveller. I think I've got it this time!! Compare the letter at the beginning of the second word with the W of Wife and I think you will be convinced. Kate.

Jess & Kate Thanks for your help. Charles is a problem - he's the one I think has been registered as McCarthy on his birth cert (haha) and gives 3 different places of birth on various censuses. As to what he does/did, well 1881 he was a van boy 1891 - can't find him on census 1894 he is on son's birth cert as a wharf labourer 1895 he is in Kelly's PO directory as a confectioner 1901 - ? at some point around the 1908 era he went to Manchester but I have no idea what he did there WW1 he ran the Pakenham Arms public house. nell

As we posted our replies at the same time, just want to make sure you saw my last try above! I just feel smug... goodnight. Kate.

Thanks everybody. I think Kate's idea sounds best - I imagine he sold the 1901 equivalent of Volvic. I'll assume its that and see where it takes me! nell

I think Kate's right with 'Mineral Water Traveller'. Kath. x

June Out of interest I just tried that and it states General Mate Traveller ! I think Kate's one is right

June thanks, but that's where I got the information from in the first place before I looked at the image. Katy, I agree, and Kate you can feel as smug as you like!!! nell

Kate I too think you are correct as I have had a Mineral Water Distributer in a family tree I did for a friend, and he was around the same period. Victor

Thanks Victor. I'm wondering if he was still selling mineral water when the family moved to Liverpool? I know he returned to run a pub (stronger waters!). nell

I would agree with 'Mineral water traveller' - in the days of my youth (obviously before yours), mineral waters included lemonade etc. As for young Chas - 'District Messenger' - the word 'Post' has been added by the chap who classifies the job. It is clearly in a different hand (and pen, or even ink colour). Notice that 'CT' has been written above old Chas' job - Commercial Traveller.

'Old Chas' is no way to refer to him, Geoff!! Actually I have some photos of him when he was running the Pakenham Arms. He has a definite twinkle in his eye and was a bit of a ladies' man. Oo-er. He also had red hair (sadly of course photo is b &w) which my son Wm has a hint of. nell