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Been a while since I've been here and still stumped with this one, thought I'd give it another go incase there are any new people with any suggestions?!!

just a thought - could the s be an f?

Oh Brian! it could be but on the same page I've got a seamstress and the start letters do look the same, but a good possibility for sure! maybe there was a lot of rope to coil in those days!!!

Thanks Heather, have emailed you

A bit of a long shot as I haven't seen the image, but could the start of the word be an H, if the left side of the H incorporates loops and what you took for the L is the right-hand downstroke. That would make it "Hanker". Hanking is the process of coiling a rope up neatly for storage, which would be connected with the waterway, although I don't know if it was ever an occupation in itself.

Hi, Ive emailed you the addy, as GR wouldnt allow it on here!!! His name is Malcom Barr-Hamilton (bit posh for Stepney, eh?)

Heather you're a joy, what a good idea, I'll do it now.

Selina, worth a chance - there is a terrific archivist at Tower Hamlets Family History Library. He is the one who finally found my GGFx2 in Stepney in 1851. I think it would be worth sending an email to them asking what the occupation may be. I am sure they must be up on all the occupations in that area. [email protected]

Thanks Heather for trying anyway. I must be reading it wrong, I just can't see what else it could read. It's not the only one listed on that page and I can't make head nor tail of it. It certainly is challenging!!

Sorry guys, had a word with 90 year old ex docker dad. Repeated it carefully a dozen times, even spelt it to him. Nope, he said, never heard of it, are you sure they werent saying he was a ................... And he is 90, you can see where I get it from!!

Ah well left it a while but a Slanker remains a mystery! shame!

Oh Heather don't upset him on my behalf!!! I have to take my kids to a halloween party now, but as soon as we're back I shall come back on and see if there's any advance. Thanks for offering to phone for me, you're very kind. See you all here later maybe and kind regards to you all who are helping me so much.

No, sorry Selina.... it's got me stumped too. I agree, it does look like "Slanker"! Maybe Heather was right after all LOL! Maybe it's some obscure nautical term? Richard

Hi, well if it is a genuine job and the enumerator wasnt just fed up at that point - all my lot were lightermen, dockers and coal whippers in Stepney, Wapping and Bermondsey from the 1830's onwards. My dad was also a docker in Rotherhithe. He is 90 now and I will give him a ring in a second and find out if he knows what a slanker might be. I shall have to speak very clearly though!

Hi Dave, No the Hough's are my husband's family, I'm searching my family line I'm afraid. Did you know by the way that a Hough is the shin of a cow I've been told! Glam huh??!!! Good luck with your search.

hi,my names dave hough,my gradfather was a lighterman and so were all is parents,the only thing that i could find was "shigger",it was on 1901 census a certain henry huff who was a dock pilot shigger own acc. What was the persons name you were looking formaybe i can help,but ive only just started myself---but you never know. My grandparents were born in south of london,dave.

That'll be it then!!!! as you can see I'm rubbish! can't believe I've got as much as I have! LOL!!!!

I just can't seem to keep away LOL This is the info from Ancestry 1871 census: William TYLOR ( miss transcribed ) Acctual document says TYLER Est Year of birth 1841 Born Wapping ( which comes under the district of Stepney - which is near Mile emd LOL) Source information:   RG10/546 Registration district:   Stepney Sub-registration district:   Ratcliff ED, institution, or vessel:   3 Folio:   98 Page:   34 (click to see others on page) Household schedule number:   202

Errr... yes, except there wasn't a census in 1874 LOL! Maybe 1871???

Heather, really laughing as that was my first thought!! Right this is what I think you mean Richard..... 1874 census William Tyler. Stepney Tower Hamlets Hamlet of Ratcliff. Ecc, St Jameses. Road 1 Lambs Court. Page 34 no. of schedule 202. Is that what you mean?