Genealogy Chat

Sheriff's Officers still exist. Here are the duties of a modern one in Australia:- 'Sheriff’s Officers provide a service to all court users and contribute to the overall security of the Courts Administration Authority in relation to prisoner and court security by: * providing a high quality customer service to all clients of the court system; * ensuring the security and welfare of prisoners held in custody and other persons appearing before the court; * providing an efficient and effective in court support service to the court system by meeting the requirements of the judiciary and jurors on a daily basis; and * maintaining safety standards. What do Sheriff’s Officers do? Sheriff’s Officers perform duties in courtrooms, prisoner holding cells, court buildings and, at times, in public places, eg, where a court may be attending. Sheriff’s Officers are multiskilled to perform three operational roles; in court support, court security and prisoner security. '

When you are unsure about an occupation, always try a google search - well google search for anything actually. I havent tried for this one yet but I believe they were people who collected outstanding debts for fines etc that a court had ordered. But have a google and see what you find. I dont know about a temporary job - after all 10 years between census if a fair time - may be cotton mills paid better, may be they werent very good at collecting fines or not up to it physically anymore or may be the system of collection changed?

Could anyone tell me please what the job of a Sheriff Officer entailed, and if it would be a temporary position. Presumably it was some sort of law enforcement job. I have found an ancestor, John Swain, on the 1841 census who's occupation was a Sheriff Officer, but 10 and 20 years later he was a cotton weaver. In 1861 I have found the man's son, also John Swain, who's occupation was Sheriff Officer, but 10 years earlier, he was a cotton weaver. This is why I'm wondering if the position was temporary. Thanks Helen