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Bookmaker in 1900?

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Rachael

Rachael Report 21 Apr 2005 20:13

I got a marriage certificate today which gives the Bride's Father's occupation as 'Bookmaker'. This is back in 1900. I had thought that gambling was illegal back then, so is he more likely to have been a maker of books? Or am I mistaken and there were bookmakers, i.e., turf accountants, in the UK in those days? I've looked for the term on a couple of websites dealing with old occupations, and I can't find an explanation on any of those. The marriage took place in Manchester. Thanks for your help.

Geoff

Geoff Report 21 Apr 2005 20:21

There would be bookmakers who travelled around the race courses to make a living. However, make sure it's not 'bootmaker'.

Mad Alice

Mad Alice Report 21 Apr 2005 21:23

The first time I spotted my GGG grandfather on a census I thought he was a book maker. then I trceived his daughter's marriage certificate and realised he was a bootmaker! Maybe the same for you? Alice

Rachael

Rachael Report 22 Apr 2005 07:22

Thanks everybody. I'll keep an open mind about whether he is a bookmaker or a bootmaker - the 't's' and the 'k's' on the certificate are virtually identical, so it could well be either, I hadn't thought of that. I've looked for him (John Downing) on the 1901 census (which took place not long after the December 1900 wedding), but I haven't found him there, and the address that is given is pretty illegible, it looks like '8 Fam Street, Levenshulme', but that doesn't come up in a search. I'll try the 1881 census next, as Martha Jane should be there as a toddler, and work from there. Thanks for your tips :-)

Rachael

Rachael Report 22 Apr 2005 08:37

He IS a bootmaker!! I don't think that would have occurred to me without your help - thank you Geoff and Alice! I have found John Downing in Stone in 1881, working as a shoemaker, so I think it is likely to be the same one. He has a six-month old daughter called Martha, who would be the bride on the certificate. I can't find Martha Jane Lucas on the 1901 census, but there is a Jane Lucas, married to William, living in Gorton - she was born in Stone, so do you think the enumerator just didn't put her full name down? William's age is correct, but Martha's shows to be just 20, which is a year younger than on her marriage certificate. I've come across other female relatives who have added on years when they have married if they were underage. I think I need to get the birth certificates to be sure I am on the right track, but thank you for your help - I'd have been flummoxed otherwise!