Vision of Britain | 1881 Census: Ages

1881 Census of England and Wales, Tables: Ages, Condition as to Marriage, Occupations and Birthplaces of people, Table 10 : " Occupations of Males and Females in the Division and its Registration Counties".

Show Ashton under Lyne RegD/PLU table	Ashton under Lyne CP/AP

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	142	7
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	14	1
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	15	3
Police	73	1
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	30	2
Other Local or County Official	10	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	417	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	4	1
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	114	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	281	-
Army Pensioner	15	-
Seaman, R.N.	1	-
Navy Pensioner	2	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	427	256
Clergymen (Established Church)	16	-
Roman Catholic Priest	8	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	13	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	3	1
Theological Student	4	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	17	2
Barrister, Solicitor	16	-
Law Student	4	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	40	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	26	-
Dentist	6	-
Medical Student, Assistant	10	2
Midwife	-	5
Subordinate Medical Service	13	52
Schoolmaster	91	145
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	5	14
School Service, and others connected with teaching	3	-
Author, Editor, Journalist	10	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	3	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	3	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	1	-
Civil Engineer	7	-
Mining Engineer	5	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	9	-
Painter (artist)	6	1
Engraver (artist)	2	-
Architect	13	-
Musician, Music Master	49	13
Art Student	1	1
Photographer	9	4
Actor	15	12
Art, Music, Theatre Service	3	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	11	4
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	5	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	215	3,069
Domestic Coachman, Groom	65	-
Domestic Gardener	73	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	28	2,681
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	5	7
Inn, Hotel Servant	28	46
College, Club Service	5	1
Office Keeper (not Government)	5	4
Cook (not domestic)	1	-
Charwoman	-	196
Washing and Bathing Service	5	126
Hospital and Institution Service	-	8
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	736	17
Merchant	2	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	63	2
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	26	-
Accountant	16	1
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	4	4
Commercial Traveller	88	2
Commercial Clerk	447	7
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	1	-
Bank Service	46	1
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	41	-
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,131	6
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	17	-
Railway Guard	13	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	44	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	304	-
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	2	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	9	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	40	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	547	1
Inland Navigation Service	2	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	26	-
Navigation Service (on shore)	2	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	12	-
Ship Steward, Cook	-	2
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	1	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	34	1
Meter, Weigher	2	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	68	1
Telegraph, Telephone Service	8	1
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	384	27
Farmer, Grazier	156	11
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	35	-
Farm Bailiff	5	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	149	16
Shepherd	1	-
Woodman	1	-
Gardener (not domestic)	37	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	98	-
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	4	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	69	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	11	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	5	-
Drover	3	-
Gamekeeper	2	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	4	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	133	7
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	10	2
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	1	-
Bookbinder	10	2
Printer	93	-
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	12	3
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	7	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	794	24
Engine, Machine Maker	152	3
Millwright	39	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	143	-
Boiler Maker	25	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	345	20
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	22	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	8	-
File Maker	3	-
Saw Maker	1	-
Needle Maker	-	1
Domestic Implement Maker	1	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	25	-
Philosophical Instrument Maker	4	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	7	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	8	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	5	-
Type Cutter, Founder	2	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	2	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,459	29
Builder	30	-
Carpenter, Joiner	427	-
Bricklayer	159	-
Mason	327	1
Slater, Tiler	34	1
Plasterer, Whitewasher	60	-
Paperhanger	2	-
Plumber	92	-
Painter, Glazier	214	2
Cabinet Maker	66	10
French Polisher	11	8
Furniture Broker, Dealer	7	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	2	-
Gas Fitter	13	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	3	1
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	8	2
Wood Carver	1	-
Carver, Gilder	2	-
Dealer in Works of Art	-	1
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Artificial Flower Maker	-	1
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	112	-
Coachmaker	18	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	1	-
Wheelwright	63	-
Others	4	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	26	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	6	2
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	5	2
Sail Maker	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	56	8
Dye, Paint Manufacture	3	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	39	6
Manufacturing Chemist	5	-
Drysalter	8	2
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	21	1
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	16	1
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	5	-
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,163	327
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	139	33
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	10	55
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	11	1
Brewer	36	2
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	62	10
Cellarman	7	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	5	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	8	1
Butcher, Meat Salesman	221	8
Provision Curer, Dealer	41	13
Poulterer, Game Dealer	2	1
Fishmonger	36	6
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	6	-
Corn Miller	9	1
Baker	61	16
Confectioner, Pastrycook	40	69
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	101	19
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	3	-
Sugar Refiner	5	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	343	91
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	17	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	6,320	9,765
Woolstapler	1	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	26	17
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	1	-
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	-	6
Fuller	1	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	2	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	35	86
Silk Dyer, Printer	5	-
Crepe, Gauze Manufacture	-	9
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	-
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	5,531	8,780
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	109	17
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	64	-
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	2	5
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	1	2
Fustian Manufacturer, Dealer	3	7
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	9	-
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	4	16
[Others]	3	42
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	12	2
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	18	155
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	44	8
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	258	447
Felt Manufacture	2	-
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	3	2
Manchester Warehouseman	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	91	52
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	5
Trimming Maker, Dealer	2	2
Others	88	105
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	1,237	1,365
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	653	586
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	2
Tailor	206	88
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	4	596
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	4	61
Hosiery Manufacture	3	2
Hosier, Haberdasher	9	2
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	210	18
Patten, Clog Maker	106	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	40	-
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	2	3
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	7
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	140	19
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	10	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	1	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	4	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	6	-
Currier	57	2
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	8	-
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	-	1
Brush, Broom, Maker	52	14
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	1	2
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	241	103
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Oil and Colourman	-	1
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	2	-
Japanner	12	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	76	2
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	6	1
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	2	1
Sawyer	30	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	5	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	67	73
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	14	-
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	2	-
Paper Manufacture	5	4
Stationer, Law Stationer	4	5
Card, Pattern Card Maker	3	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	1	16
Others	5	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	3,193	24
Coal Miner	1,175	2
Lead Miner	3	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	3	1
Mine Service	8	-
Coal Merchant	80	2
Coalheaver	32	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	2	-
Gas Works Service	36	-
Stone Quarrier	41	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	8	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	1	-
Limeburner	3	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	12	1
Well Sinker, Borer	6	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	161	1
Paviour	33	-
Road Labourer	11	-
Railway Contractor	12	-
Platelayer	68	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	202	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	4	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	9	3
Salt Maker, Dealer	1	1
Waterworks Service	38	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	5	-
[Iron Manufacture]	793	3
[Steel Manufacture]	3	-
Blacksmith	184	-
Whitesmith	3	-
Nail Manufacture	29	6
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	2	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	23	-
[Coppersmith]	1	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	89	1
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	3	-
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	77	1
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	-	1
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	2	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	1	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	26	-
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	2	-
Fancy Chain, Gilt Toy Maker	-	1
Others	1	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	1,789	290
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	51	84
Pawnbroker	25	3
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	69	41
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	27	3
Contractor (undefined)	3	-
General Labourer	1,074	3
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	272	6
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	151	48
Apprentice (undefined)	7	3
Factory Labourer (undefined)	51	68
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	59	31
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	30	2
Town Drainage Service	8	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	15	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	4	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	3	2
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	216	1,571
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	216	1,571
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	183	6,552
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	17	15
[Blank field, or illegible]	166	6,537

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Notes:

The following notes to the table appeared in the original report.

1	This table is a very special case: The original Table 10 as published by Division in the 1881 census reports was limited to data for Registration Divisions, their component Registration Counties, and just those Urban Sanitary Districts with populations of over 50,000. Data presented here for counties and higher-level units are taken from the published reports, as usual, but we also include in A Vision of Britain through Time data for Registration Districts, sub-Districts and Civil Parishes which never appeared in the original reports. These were specially created for us by the History Data Service at the University of Essex and derive from the complete transcription of the individual-level Enumerators Book data coordinated by the Genealogical Society of Utah.
2	In creating these data, each occupation listed in the enumerators books has been assigned as far as possible to the relevant category used in the published reports, but some additional categories with labels in square brackets unavoidably appear. Unlike the published statistics for higher-level units, these specially-calculated data for districts and parishes include persons under 15 or over 65. For these and other reasons, no attempt has been made to ensure that county totals for the districts or parishes match the published county totals. The remaining notes are those that appeared below the original published table.
3	NOTE.--Persons returned as engaged in more than one occupation have been referred to the one that appeared to be of most importance; or if there was no difference in this respect, to the one first given by the person in his or her return. In some cases special rules have been followed: e.g. "Clergyman and Schoolmaster" in combination has always been referred to "Schoolmaster"; a Member of Parliament or Peer engaged in any branch of commerce or industry has always been referred to this latter, not to "Peer, M.P.".
4	The numbers returned under any heading include Labourers, Apprentices, and Assistants, as well as Masters, but not Clerks, Messengers, Errand boys, Porters, or Watchmen, for which occupations there are special headings. Civil, Military, and Naval Clerks, Law, Bank, Insurance, and Railway Clerks, and Government and Railway Porters, are, however, exceptions to this rule. Many young persons, being Apprentices or Assistants, have therefore been referred to occupations usually followed by adults. Women also, chiefly widows or orphans carrying on the business of their deceased husbands or fathers, will sometimes be found under occupations commonly followed by men only.
5	Persons returned as retired from any business have not been referred to that business. Inmates of workhouses have been referred to their trades, unless their age or infirmities showed that they were past work. But persons who might be supposed to be only temporarily separated from their usual employment, such as Prisoners, and Patients in General Hospitals, have been classed under their usual occupations.
6	In some cases, for convenience of space, the male designation, e.g. "Schoolmaster", alone is given, instead of "Schoolmaster, Schoolmistress".

This website does not try to provide an exact replica of the original printed census tables, which often had thousands of rows and far more columns than will fit on our web pages. Instead, we let you drill down from national totals to the most detailed data available. The column headings are those that appeared in the original printed report. The numbers presented here, which are the same ones we use to create statistical maps and graphs, come from the census table and have usually been carefully checked.

The system can only hold statistics for units listed in our administrative gazetteer, so some rows from the original table may be missing. Sometimes big low-level units, like urban parishes, were divided between more than one higher-level units, like Registration sub-Districts. This is why some pages will give a higher figure for a lower-level unit: it covers the whole of the lower-level unit, not just the part within the current higher-level unit.

Acknowledgments:

We are grateful to the following contributors. If you make use of the data in your own work, please follow any instructions given here on acknowledgment and re-use.

(1) Kevin Schurer (Department of Geography, University of Cambridge). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)

(2) Matthew Woollard (UK Data Service, University of Essex). Role: editor. Restrictions on use: the data cannot be accessed, although the Vision of Britain system may present them graphically (any other use requires the contributor's permission.)