Genealogy Chat

On 1851 census found a 12 year old boy with occupation of Bird Frayer. I have Goggled and searched various sites to no success, although I found bird boy and bird catcher but no bird frayer. Does anyone know what it could mean?. Bird boy was occupied on the crop fields keeping the birds away. Thanks, Elizabeth

Bird Boy Scared away birds from crops could it be that? http://rmhh*co*uk/occup/ Marion

Are you sure it says 'frayer'. If you give the name and place, perhaps we could have a look and see if we think it could be something else. Kath. x

Hi Marion, Thank you yes, looked t this site and found bird boy, which could be the same occupation. Kathleen, thank you for your kind offer it can be found under 1851 Census: Edward T. Ball, born abt 1839 Long Deverill, Wiltshire Son HO107/1843 ED 3b Page 20 Household schedule 73 GSU Number 220990 Father is Benjamin Ball, abt 1801 Long Deverill. Arg Lab Brother Frederick is a shepherd Many thanks Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth, it definitely says Bird Frayer. Beautiful clear handwriting by the emunerator. I think I have read on here before about a web site on old occupations. Have you googled ? Best wishes Joan

Do you think its an old form of 'frightener' - or scarer. In Norfolk, they still use the phrase 'it frit the life out of me'. Maybe a verb 'to fray' was in use commonly all over the country as scarer?

Could it be 'flayer' or 'fleyer' meaning to frighten? Chersie

It definitely says Frayer. I've looked at all the old occupation sites I can find and can't find it mentioned. Kath. x

FRAY 1. Noun - Noisy, quarrel, brawl, fight. 2. Noun - to wear through by rubbing 3. Fray (of deer) - to rub velvet off new horns. Think (1) is most likely - bird scarer, Frayer might be a word that was locally used, or might just be what the enumerator 'heard' for the word 'frightener' Olde Crone

Thank you for all your replies. I think this must be an old phrase for bird catcher or bird boy. I have just searched many dictionaries and there does not appear to be such a word.. Hope Edward`s name nick name was not scarecrow. Many thanks once again , and if it is not too late a happy New Year to you all. Elizabeth

I have looked in an 1897 dictionary and it gives the verb 'fray' (marked with a dagger sign to indicate that it is obsolete) meaning to frighten or to terrify. So a bird frayer would be one who frightens or terrifies birds.

Thanks Roger - you learn something new on this site every day. Kath. x