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Once an Ivory Turner, always an Ivory Turner?

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Chrispynoodle

Chrispynoodle Report 9 Nov 2006 13:49

I need to pin down whether I have the right Clark(e)s in my tree. one piece of evidence I have is that the father on a marriage certificate was an 'ivory turner'. I have found a family on various censuses who fit, but to be sure they are the right Clark(e)s, I desperately wanted the head of the household to be an ivory turner. Unfortunately he was a starch maker, which sounds like an unskilled worker in a factory to me. An IT sounds more like a skilled occupation. I wonder if a skilled worker would have descended to the level of a SM. Any thoughts out there? Chris

Heather

Heather Report 9 Nov 2006 21:17

Well Chris, much as today people change occupations for various reasons, illnesses, old age or lack of work - give us some details so that others can have a look.

Contrary Mary

Contrary Mary Report 10 Nov 2006 11:07

Hi Chris, I've got one who was a Cordwainer on 1841 census and then a Gas lamp lighter on all later censuses - it seems to happen quite a lot. Could be due to injury/illness/economic reasons etc. Good hunting Mary

Chrispynoodle

Chrispynoodle Report 13 Nov 2006 14:08

Sorry, back after a few days' break. My Sarah Clark(e) was born in either Cripplegate or Clerkenwell. She married Thomas Priest in 1875 (have mc, no useful witnesses), was born probably 1855 or 1854 and her father was John Clarke (an ivory turner). I have her when she was married on the 1881 census and beyond, but am trying to pin her down on 1871 before she was married. I have found a possible family that would fit (in Bromley by Bow), but the father is a starch maker (damn and blast!!). Any ideas out there? Chris