Genealogy Chat

Hi,
Is it likely that someone could change occupations?
When shoemaking became industrialised in the 1850s someone apparently changed to tailoring. A friend says that this is impossible but if it was a choice between starvation or diversifying then you`d surely go where the work was. Jay

Of course. A bit later I have one 1871 a clerk in Merchants Office. 1881 Butchers assistant! Come down in the world? When he married he was a clerk again!
B

I agree, learning new skills to survive has gone on for centuries - my G Granfather was a master seaman who became a farmer who became a traction engine driver.

Thanks Bernie and Colin. I`d begun to think I was going wrong somewhere. Even staff at Local Studies and Family History insisted that changing occupations didn`t happen so I really did wonder.

I have a master mariner who ended up working in the mines.

I always feel sorry for him because after a life at sea, the mines must have been very claustrophobic for him I'm sure.

Kath. x

Thanks Capricorn. Looks like it was a common occurence after all. Jay

Hi Cagsie. That was exactly my point. That dexterity with a needle was obviously there so not such a huge change but was told that it was a no-no. Jay