Genealogy Chat

In 1841, I have Benjamin Gommersall Spinner. In 1848, he's a Clock Maker. In 1851, he's a Clothier. Is that likely?

Maybe.....A clothier only sells clothes, so not skilled, but you might need a few pounds for stock etc. Perhaps there was a reason he couldn't continue in his original occupation?? Maybe failing eyesite, or some other physical difficulty? With such an unusual name I would imagine there must be some other ways of determining it's the same man? Merry

Tracy Are you sure 1841 says clock maker and not cloth maker. Sue

Well, people do change occupation - I was amazed that my GGFx3 changed from being a lighterman in 1851 to a stationer and tobacconist in the 1861 - totally different jobs and one he would have in theory had to train for. Guess there were go getters back then aswell as now! And as said, illness or disability could make a difference, another ancestor was an upholsterer for 3 censi then became a letter sorter (which was still a respectable job back then) but perhaps he no longer had the physical strength to lug large pieces of furniture about.

I think I wrote it wrong... In 1841, he's a Spinner in 1848, He's a Clock Maker (yes, I'm sure - daughter's marriage) (could be cloak? - did they have those? it does look like a C though, not an A) in 1851, he's a Clothier Would he change, then change back? I'm wondering if I have the wrong man. But how many people are called Benjamin Gommersall?? Not many lol - especially with daughter Hannah aged 15 in 1841.

i have a grt grandfather who was a mariner from his marriage cert in 1870 to being a Pub Landord for 5 years from 1878 to 1883 then back to being a mariner. till he died in 1896. Cant think why a sailor should change back & forth. Know they liked their drink, but is that the only connection. Shirley

Ha! When I had my own business, I came up with the wonderful idea of a name for it: The Clockmender's Sister. (My brother is a clockmender and lots of people only knew me as his sister...) My Bank simply could NOT get their heads round this name. They issued me with chequebook, card etc, all in the name of The Clockmenders SITTER. I remonstrated with them and they reissued everything in the name of The CLOTHMENDERS Sister. A little tantrum in the Bank produced a fulsome apology and documents in the name of The CLOTmenders Sitter. I changed my Bank (having already paid out for a beautiful signboard, I wasn't about to change my business name) Olde Crone

lol perhaps he suffered the same fate, but in reverse? Would there be a record of him, if he was a Clock Maker? It sounds like it should be a high-ranking profession in the 1840s.

Is 1848 from a parish register, or a GRO certificate? GGG Grandfather was a papermaker from his son's cert, which fitted: there were papermills nearby. I read up on them. Only snag was that the censuses have him down as a twine spinner. When I looked at the original, it was ropemaker. I would reckon that clockmaker is a mistranscription, possibly of the vicar's own handwriting!

It's the GRO cert. Just arrived today - hence my confusion lol Isobel found me Hannah on the census with a possible father, Benjamin, in 1841. I ordered the cert to make sure, and there he is. Trouble is, his occupations don't match lol It's from the original source, not a modern copy. I guess when they took it down originally, they could have got it wrong - like Old Crones bank. Would actually make more sense for my lot too lol I was quite surprised when I read clock.