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 Cheshire RegC	Wirral RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	75	4
Peer, M.P., Privy Councillor (not otherwise described)	1	-
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	15	2
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	9	-
Police	28	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	12	2
Other Local or County Official	6	-
East Indian and Colonial Service	4	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	202	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	16	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	100	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	5	-
Army Pensioner	1	-
Navy Officer (effective/retired)	17	-
Seaman, R.N.	45	-
Royal Marines (officers/men)	16	-
Navy Pensioner	2	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	251	272
Clergymen (Established Church)	35	-
Roman Catholic Priest	2	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	9	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	3	3
Nun, Sister of Charity	-	7
Theological Student	2	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	4	2
Barrister, Solicitor	28	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	22	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	19	-
Dentist	3	-
Medical Student, Assistant	3	-
Midwife	-	1
Subordinate Medical Service	-	51
Schoolmaster	68	161
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	4	36
School Service, and others connected with teaching	1	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	1	-
Civil Engineer	10	-
Mining Engineer	1	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	3	-
Painter (artist)	2	2
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Architect	16	-
Musician, Music Master	7	6
Art Student	3	2
Photographer	2	1
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	1	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	350	2,436
Domestic Coachman, Groom	149	-
Domestic Gardener	92	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	77	2,096
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	1	2
Inn, Hotel Servant	25	57
College, Club Service	1	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	1	-
Cook (not domestic)	2	1
Charwoman	-	66
Washing and Bathing Service	-	211
Hospital and Institution Service	1	3
Others engaged in Service	1	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	571	6
Merchant	68	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	151	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	14	-
Accountant	18	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	3	-
Commercial Traveller	13	1
Commercial Clerk	250	4
Banker	2	-
Bank Service	17	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	35	1
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	871	9
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	5	-
Railway Guard	3	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	5	1
Other Railway Officials and Servants	74	1
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	3	1
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	5	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	39	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	48	1
Tramway Companies' Service	8	-
Inland Navigation Service	5	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	132	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	30	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	343	-
Pilot	2	-
Ship Steward, Cook	17	-
Boatman on Seas	2	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	62	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	19	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	67	-
Telegraph, Telephone Service	2	5
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	1,823	82
Farmer, Grazier	273	18
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	171	-
Farm Bailiff	44	1
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	1,002	58
Shepherd	14	-
Land Drainage Service (not in towns)	4	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	2	-
Others engaged in, or connected with agriculture	1	-
Woodman	2	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	3	-
Gardener (not domestic)	307	5
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	231	5
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	21	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	3	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	3	-
Gamekeeper	28	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	-
Vermin Destroyer	1	-
Fisherman	174	5
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	3	3
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	1	1
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	-	1
Bookbinder	1	1
Printer	1	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	66	2
Engine, Machine Maker	18	1
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	23	-
Boiler Maker	8	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	2	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	2	-
File Maker	1	-
Saw Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	6	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	1	-
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	1	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	-	1
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	3	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	644	7
Builder	31	-
Carpenter, Joiner	237	4
Bricklayer	110	1
Mason	104	-
Slater, Tiler	6	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	46	-
Paperhanger	1	-
Plumber	38	-
Painter, Glazier	58	1
Cabinet Maker	9	1
Gas Fitter	2	-
Carver, Gilder	2	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	54	1
Coachmaker	2	-
Wheelwright	43	1
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	9	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	33	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	11	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	8	-
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	3	-
Ship Rigger, Chandler, Fitter	5	-
Sail Maker	6	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	31	-
Dye, Paint Manufacture	4	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	1	-
Gunpowder, Guncotton, Explosive Substance Manufacture	2	-
Chemist, Druggist	20	-
Manufacturing Chemist	3	-
Drysalter	1	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	-	2
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	-	2
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	332	111
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	54	14
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	-	32
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	1	3
Hop - Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Brewer	2	-
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	9	1
Cellarman	5	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	27	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	6	2
Butcher, Meat Salesman	42	9
Provision Curer, Dealer	26	2
Poulterer, Game Dealer	1	2
Fishmonger	6	7
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	15	2
Corn Miller	13	-
Baker	58	-
Confectioner, Pastrycook	4	18
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	9	3
Sugar Refiner	1	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	52	15
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	42	12
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	2	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	7	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	13	-
Mat Maker, Seller	1	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	-	3
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	2	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	16	9
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	102	272
Tailor	33	1
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	-	250
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	-	19
Hosier, Haberdasher	3	1
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	58	1
Patten, Clog Maker	4	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	4	-
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	132	5
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	123	4
Soap Boiler, Maker	1	1
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	4	-
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	1	-
Brush, Broom, Maker	1	-
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	38	7
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	7	-
Oil and Colourman	1	-
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	1	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Thatcher	1	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	6	-
Sawyer	1	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	11	-
Stationer, Law Stationer	8	7
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	471	3
Coal Miner	147	-
Ironstone Miner	3	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	1	-
Mine Service	4	-
Coal Merchant	25	-
Coalheaver	4	-
Gas Works Service	7	-
Stone Quarrier	28	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	4	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	1	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	76	-
Road Contractor, Surveyor, Inspector	1	-
Road Labourer	3	-
Railway Contractor	3	-
Platelayer	21	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	18	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	2	-
Glass Manufacture	1	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	2	2
Salt Maker, Dealer	1	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	2	-
[Iron Manufacture]	8	1
Blacksmith	82	-
Whitesmith	2	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	1	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	9	-
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	3	-
[Coppersmith]	4	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	3	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	1	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	1	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	2	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	945	46
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	9	31
Pawnbroker	3	-
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	1	3
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	9	-
Contractor (undefined)	7	-
General Labourer	692	5
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	57	-
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	23	5
Apprentice (undefined)	134	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	10	1
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	-	1
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	2	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	2	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	517	1,808
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	517	1,808
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	93	3,114
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	4	1
[Blank field, or illegible]	89	3,113

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.)