Genealogy Chat

Is someone recorded as "pastry cook" in 1877 is likely to be a "baker" on the 1881? and.... Have just received ancestors' marriage certificate and the groom records his father's rank or profession as a "gentleman" - that's a first for any of my lot :) - surely anyone could put this down and if not does anyone know what qualified someone to call themself a gentleman? Any opinions gratefully recieved :) David

Hi David, According to one site I visited this was the definition of a "Gentleman" GENTLEMAN a member of the gentry, a descendant from an aristocratic family whose income came from the rental of his land. Hope this helps Regards Barbara

Hi Barbara and Philip Thank you both for looking that up - quite a surprise lol - will make a change for me from researching labourers:) Though I'm not sure what happened to his descendants..... Many thanks David

Greeting's David. . . . To answer your first part. . . . PASTELER A pastry chef. But his proper title would have been Chef De Patissrie Maybe the enumerator couldn't spell that so it got put down as a Pastry Cook. MIKE.

I had an auntie who was a pastry cook.

Thanks guys - it was the on a wedding certificate that the bride recorded her father as "pastry cook" in 1877. I can find a chap with the same name, right age and in right area of London on the 1881 who was a baker - am thinking some elaboration has gone on but don't want to assume too much:)

I have a 'confectioner's cook' - perhaps that is where my sweet tooth comes from ! Maz. XX

My Great Grandfather was listed as a Gentleman because he owned property around London and lived off the income...unfortunately the money and the property had all gone by the time the grandchildren arrived (my mum). Im going to keep digging though I might find the odd penny around somewhere if I look hard enough lol Sheila

Think mine is probably the same Sheila - can't see an aristocratic background somehow - but you never know!

Thanks to everyone for their help but in my case the pastry cook was a baker. As for the "gentleman"! I was a bit sceptical so I got another couple of certificates and got some kind people to do some census lookups for me - alas, not a gentleman at all but a butcher from Bethnal Green - God my ancestors were liars lol :D

My great grandfather was listed as a (in order)Tavern Cook, Skin Dyer Journeyman,Kitchen Porter,Chef.Of course which of these accurately describes his occupation is open to speculation,though I don't like the idea of a Tubercular kitchen porter or chef. Actually he was probably a fly-by-night like his son.(Labourer,lorry Driver,cat meat man you get the idea!)

Greeting's Janet. . . . Actually back in the 50's when I was training to become a Chef in my local 5 star Hotel. . . There was a Polish kitchen porter who could make all the milk pudding's better than the Chef in charge of the Pastry section. Although he never spoke a word due to the thing's done to him during to the war. But he was a great chap . . . I also have found other kitchen porters keen to help out with the cooking side. . . So not all washing up pots and cleaning MIKE.