General Chat

Could someone please decipher Sarah's occupation on the following 2 census.

1851 John Wilch born abt. 1811, Bridport, Dorset. Wife Sarah, Kids, Henry Ann, Isac, Dinah. Civil Parish West Chinnock.

Piece 1929 Folio 250 Page 16

1861 John Welch - same as above
Piece 1368 Folio 47 Page 13.

Hope this is enough information for someone to help.
Many grateful thanks.
Phyll

Well, according to 'A History of the County of Somerset' vol 4 on the British History Online site, it looks like it was something to do with the sailcloth manufacturing industry.

1861 He was a flax dresser and it looks like she is a twine spinner.

Twine spinner in 1861.

Shoe thread winder in 1851?

Family in Somerset.

Not sure it says Thread but shoe and Winder probably correct.

It's the same as Hannah Welch - the family above John and Sarah on the page.

1851 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription

South Street, West Chinnock, Yeovil, Somerset, England
First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
John Welch Head Married Male 40 1811 Flax Dresser Bridport, Dorset, England
Sarah Welch Wife Married Female 36 1815 Shoe Thread Winder Bridport, Dorset, England
Henry Welch Son Unmarried Male 16 1835 Flax Dresser Bridport, Dorset, England
Ann Welch Daughter Unmarried Female 13 1838 Shoe Thread Winder Bridport, Dorset, England
Isaac Welch Son - Male 11 1840 Errand Boy Bridport, Dorset, England
Dinah Welch Daughter - Female 1 1850 - Somerset, England

There are a number of websites listing old occupations - just google "old occupations". But that one doesn't seem to be there (I suppose they can't all be covered)

John Welch in the 1861 England Census
Name: John Welch
Age: 50
Estimated birth year: 1811
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Sarah Welch
Gender: Male
Where born: Bridport, Dorset, England
Civil Parish: Bridport
Town: Bridport
County/Island: Dorset
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

View image
Registration district: Bridport
Sub-registration district: Bridport
ED, institution, or vessel: 8
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 49
Piece: 1368
Folio: 47
Page Number: 13
Household Members:
Name Age
John Welch 50......Flax Dresser
Sarah Welch 46......Twine Spinner
Dina Welch 11
Ellen Welch 9

1851

I also think it says ...shoe thread winder.

Compare how the enumerator writes Head (of family)

Just googling Shoe Thread Winders brings this up

http://www.opcdorset.org/Allington_Bridport/Allington/1861Allington.htm

(There were a number of Shoe Thread winders on the 1861 census)

6; North Allington; Ellen; POWELL; Daur; Unmarried; 25; Dressmaker & Shoe Thread Winder; Allington; RG9/1367/F4P1
7; Beer House North Allington; Anna M; STEVENS; Daur; Unmarried; 17; Shoe Thread Winder; Allington; RG9/1367/F4P2
7; Beer House North Allington; Mary; STEVENS; Daur; Unmarried; 14; Shoe Thread Winder; Allington; RG9/1367/F4P2

From the same google - it would appear to be something like a person who winds thread onto a spool for use in the shoe making business

Many thanks to you all for your help.. I had looked up Flax Dresser but couldn't quite make out Sarah's job.

You are all wonderful.
Phyll

(noticed below)

Chris :)

09 October 1855 - Sherborne Mercury - Sherborne, Dorset, England

WANTED, TWO SHOE-THREAD WINDERS; those accustomed to ball twine preferred.

Thanks for that Chris. Very interesting.
Phyll

Strange, so many Flax dressers and shoe thread winders in one place :-S

Clarks Shoes have been in Somerset since 1825. Most of that time they have been in or near Street, which is further north, but there may have been other shoe factories nearer Yeovil.