Genealogy Chat

Hi has anyone come across Journeyman as an occupation it does have painter in brackets after it. Just wondered what it means. Could be traveling painter lol Gwen

A man who served his apprenticeship in a trade and worked as a fully qualified employee. The term originated in the regulations of the medieval trade guilds; it derives from the French journée (‘a day’) because journeymen were paid daily. Each guild normally recognized three grades of worker – apprentices, journeymen, and masters. As a qualified tradesman, a journeyman might have become a master with his own business but most remained employees. Suggests he was an apprentice painter? Elly

Elly Thanks for that most interesting. It just goes to show how misleading words can be I was thinking totally on the wrong lines. Thanks again Gwen

Gwen My nan's birth certificate was the first one I sent for when I started this, and her father's occupation was Baker Journeyman. I therefore assumed that he was the breadman who went door-to-door with his basket of loaves lol! Luckily, I checked with people on here and discovered that it is someone who has served their apprenticeship, qualified etc. Mandy :))

Mandy you are not alone then because I thought he was a travelling painter how stupid am I lol Gwen

Who said geneaology was boring!! You just made me laugh - but only because I've made daft assumption too.. :)) Happy hunting Elly