Vision of Britain | 1881 Census: Ages

1881 Census of England and Wales, Tables: Ages, Condition as to Marriage, Occupations and Birthplaces of people, Table 10 : " Occupations of Males and Females in the Division and its Registration Counties".

List Greenwich RegD/PLU	Woolwich Vest/CP/AP

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	232	7
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	100	6
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	39	1
Prison Service, &c.	1	-
Police	76	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	15	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	1	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	3,446	6
Army Officer (effective/retired)	396	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	2,902	4
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	4	-
Army Pensioner	102	2
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	5	-
Seaman, R.N.	12	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	1	-
Navy Pensioner	24	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	217	222
Clergymen (Established Church)	11	-
Roman Catholic Priest	2	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	4	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	2	5
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	1
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	4	-
Barrister, Solicitor	4	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	11	5
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	16	-
Dentist	6	-
Medical Student, Assistant	6	-
Midwife	-	12
Subordinate Medical Service	5	42
Schoolmaster	44	107
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	4	15
School Service, and others connected with teaching	2	-
Author, Editor, Journalist	2	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	2	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	2	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	2	-
Civil Engineer	8	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	7	-
Painter (artist)	3	1
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Architect	4	-
Musician, Music Master	38	23
Art Student	-	1
Photographer	15	3
Actor	1	2
Art, Music, Theatre Service	2	1
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	6	4
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	2	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	186	1,833
Domestic Coachman, Groom	28	-
Domestic Gardener	13	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	67	1,290
Inn, Hotel Servant	74	59
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	-
Cook (not domestic)	-	4
Charwoman	-	108
Washing and Bathing Service	2	364
Hospital and Institution Service	1	7
Others engaged in Service	-	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	229	7
Merchant	1	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	6	1
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	7	-
Accountant	5	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	3	-
Commercial Traveller	15	2
Commercial Clerk	173	2
Banker	2	-
Bank Service	10	1
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	7	1
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	830	7
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	9	-
Railway Guard	3	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	3	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	48	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	6	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	27	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	70	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	162	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	305	-
Ship Steward, Cook	21	2
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	41	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	21	1
Meter, Weigher	1	1
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	90	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	23	2
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	58	37
Farmer, Grazier	2	-
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	2	-
Farm Bailiff	2	1
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	24	19
[Farm Servant Indoor - prob. combined with 103]	-	1
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	3	1
Gardener (not domestic)	25	15
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	64	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	1	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	47	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	10	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	1	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	3	-
Fisherman	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	60	6
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	7	1
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	2	1
Bookbinder	8	3
Printer	39	-
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	1	1
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	2	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	1	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	727	28
Engine, Machine Maker	77	4
Millwright	1	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	232	-
Boiler Maker	48	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	5	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	4	-
File Maker	-	1
Saw Maker	2	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	26	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	15	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	231	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	2	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	1
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	3	-
Ordnance Manufacturer	8	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	1	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	4	2
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	67	20
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	876	21
Builder	33	-
Carpenter, Joiner	274	-
Bricklayer	191	-
Mason	20	-
Slater, Tiler	2	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	20	-
Paperhanger	8	1
Plumber	52	-
Painter, Glazier	188	2
Cabinet Maker	31	11
French Polisher	12	1
Furniture Broker, Dealer	8	-
Locksmith, Bellhanger	1	-
Gas Fitter	25	2
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	6	-
Carver, Gilder	3	3
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
Artificial Flower Maker	-	1
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	111	1
Coachmaker	23	1
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	1	-
Wheelwright	34	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	53	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	96	1
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	42	1
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	51	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	2	-
Sail Maker	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	294	5
Dye, Paint Manufacture	3	-
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	5	-
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	254	4
Chemist, Druggist	23	1
Manufacturing Chemist	9	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	17	6
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	14	6
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	3	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	707	87
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	67	16
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	4	10
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	15	6
Brewer	9	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	21	2
Cellarman	12	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	4	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	23	8
Cheesemonger, Butterman	19	-
Butcher, Meat Salesman	96	5
Provision Curer, Dealer	6	-
Poulterer, Game Dealer	2	1
Fishmonger	26	2
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	9	2
Corn Miller	4	-
Baker	126	4
Confectioner, Pastrycook	31	15
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	49	4
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	2	6
Sugar Refiner	60	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	122	5
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	98	86
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	-	2
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	-	1
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	2	-
Ribbon Manufacture	1	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	2	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	1	1
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	3
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	3	-
Mat Maker, Seller	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	1	2
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	5	4
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	-	3
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	80	66
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	4
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	405	794
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	10	2
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	151	70
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	5	494
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	1	198
Hosiery Manufacture	1	-
Hosier, Haberdasher	8	4
Button Maker, Dealer	-	1
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	182	9
Patten, Clog Maker	2	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	32	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	1	3
Accoutrement Maker	9	5
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	3	5
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	14	3
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	2	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	1	1
Currier	6	-
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	3	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	1	-
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	2
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	140	10
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Oil and Colourman	27	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	24	3
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	5	-
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	13	3
Sawyer	34	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	1	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	7	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	11	-
Paper Manufacture	1	1
Stationer, Law Stationer	8	3
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	1	-
Others	3	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	554	7
Coal Miner	2	1
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	3	-
Coal Merchant	7	-
Coalheaver	34	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	1	-
Gas Works Service	56	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	2	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	2	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	4	-
Paviour	2	-
Road Labourer	5	-
Platelayer	3	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	6	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	1	1
Glass Manufacture	2	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	5	2
Waterworks Service	2	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	11	1
Lapidary	1	-
Others	-	1
[Iron Manufacture]	126	1
[Steel Manufacture]	2	-
Blacksmith	150	-
Nail Manufacture	3	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	4	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	19	-
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
[Coppersmith]	5	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	21	-
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	4	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	22	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	22	-
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	2	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	20	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	2	-
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	2,218	190
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	70	47
Pawnbroker	19	1
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	40	24
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	74	3
Contractor (undefined)	2	-
General Labourer	1,711	15
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	149	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	65	3
Apprentice (undefined)	30	2
Factory Labourer (undefined)	34	5
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	24	90
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	15	1
Town Drainage Service	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	11	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	2	1
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	398	1,491
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	398	1,491
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	117	4,850
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	14	3
[Blank field, or illegible]	103	4,847

Notes:

The following notes to the table appeared in the original report.

1	This table is a very special case: The original Table 10 as published by Division in the 1881 census reports was limited to data for Registration Divisions, their component Registration Counties, and just those Urban Sanitary Districts with populations of over 50,000. Data presented here for counties and higher-level units are taken from the published reports, as usual, but we also include in A Vision of Britain through Time data for Registration Districts, sub-Districts and Civil Parishes which never appeared in the original reports. These were specially created for us by the History Data Service at the University of Essex and derive from the complete transcription of the individual-level Enumerators Book data coordinated by the Genealogical Society of Utah.
2	In creating these data, each occupation listed in the enumerators books has been assigned as far as possible to the relevant category used in the published reports, but some additional categories with labels in square brackets unavoidably appear. Unlike the published statistics for higher-level units, these specially-calculated data for districts and parishes include persons under 15 or over 65. For these and other reasons, no attempt has been made to ensure that county totals for the districts or parishes match the published county totals. The remaining notes are those that appeared below the original published table.
3	NOTE.--Persons returned as engaged in more than one occupation have been referred to the one that appeared to be of most importance; or if there was no difference in this respect, to the one first given by the person in his or her return. In some cases special rules have been followed: e.g. "Clergyman and Schoolmaster" in combination has always been referred to "Schoolmaster"; a Member of Parliament or Peer engaged in any branch of commerce or industry has always been referred to this latter, not to "Peer, M.P.".
4	The numbers returned under any heading include Labourers, Apprentices, and Assistants, as well as Masters, but not Clerks, Messengers, Errand boys, Porters, or Watchmen, for which occupations there are special headings. Civil, Military, and Naval Clerks, Law, Bank, Insurance, and Railway Clerks, and Government and Railway Porters, are, however, exceptions to this rule. Many young persons, being Apprentices or Assistants, have therefore been referred to occupations usually followed by adults. Women also, chiefly widows or orphans carrying on the business of their deceased husbands or fathers, will sometimes be found under occupations commonly followed by men only.
5	Persons returned as retired from any business have not been referred to that business. Inmates of workhouses have been referred to their trades, unless their age or infirmities showed that they were past work. But persons who might be supposed to be only temporarily separated from their usual employment, such as Prisoners, and Patients in General Hospitals, have been classed under their usual occupations.
6	In some cases, for convenience of space, the male designation, e.g. "Schoolmaster", alone is given, instead of "Schoolmaster, Schoolmistress".

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This website does not try to provide an exact replica of the original printed census tables, which often had thousands of rows and far more columns than will fit on our web pages. Instead, we let you drill down from national totals to the most detailed data available. The column headings are those that appeared in the original printed report. The numbers presented here, which are the same ones we use to create statistical maps and graphs, come from the census table and have usually been carefully checked.

The system can only hold statistics for units listed in our administrative gazetteer, so some rows from the original table may be missing. Sometimes big low-level units, like urban parishes, were divided between more than one higher-level units, like Registration sub-Districts. This is why some pages will give a higher figure for a lower-level unit: it covers the whole of the lower-level unit, not just the part within the current higher-level unit.

Acknowledgments:

We are grateful to the following contributors. If you make use of the data in your own work, please follow any instructions given here on acknowledgment and re-use.

(1) Kevin Schurer (Department of Geography, University of Cambridge). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)

(2) Matthew Woollard (UK Data Service, University of Essex). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)