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 Walsall RegD/PLU table	Walsall SubD

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	96	3
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	21	-
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	15	-
Police	39	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	13	2
Other Local or County Official	8	1
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	18	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	10	-
Army Pensioner	8	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	251	210
Clergymen (Established Church)	13	-
Roman Catholic Priest	3	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	8	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	1	2
Theological Student	3	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	4	3
Barrister, Solicitor	11	-
Law Student	1	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	32	1
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	12	1
Dentist	3	1
Medical Student, Assistant	8	-
Subordinate Medical Service	4	31
Schoolmaster	50	124
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	3	25
School Service, and others connected with teaching	3	-
Author, Editor, Journalist	3	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	2	-
Civil Engineer	6	-
Mining Engineer	14	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	3	-
Painter (artist)	4	-
Engraver (artist)	1	-
Architect	9	-
Musician, Music Master	19	14
Art Student	4	-
Photographer	6	-
Actor	7	7
Art, Music, Theatre Service	1	-
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	3	1
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	10	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	66	1,763
Domestic Coachman, Groom	17	-
Domestic Gardener	6	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	27	1,439
Inn, Hotel Servant	12	69
Office Keeper (not Government)	2	4
Cook (not domestic)	-	1
Charwoman	-	87
Washing and Bathing Service	1	159
Hospital and Institution Service	1	4
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	377	19
Merchant	8	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	28	3
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	8	-
Accountant	7	1
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	1	-
Commercial Traveller	45	3
Commercial Clerk	242	10
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	1	-
Bank Service	15	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	2	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	20	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	692	79
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	70	-
Railway Guard	43	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	22	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	138	2
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	1	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	2	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	22	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	178	1
Inland Navigation Service	7	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	72	4
Seaman (Merchant Service)	4	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	2	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	36	68
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	92	4
Telegraph, Telephone Service	3	-
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	177	20
Farmer, Grazier	16	2
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	5	-
Farm Bailiff	1	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	111	18
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	4	-
Gardener (not domestic)	40	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	67	1
Horse Proprietor, Breeder, Dealer	2	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	59	1
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	4	-
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	2	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	65	13
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	4	1
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	-	1
Bookbinder	5	4
Printer	47	4
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	4	2
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	5	1
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	298	21
Engine, Machine Maker	35	-
Millwright	4	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	56	-
Boiler Maker	10	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	1	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	3	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	67	1
Cutler, Scissors Maker	2	1
File Maker	24	-
Steel Pen Maker	-	3
Domestic Implement Maker	1	1
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	20	1
Philosophical Instrument Maker	19	8
Electrical Apparatus Maker	6	-
Surgical Instrument Maker	1	1
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	10	1
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	20	2
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	18	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	-	2
Fishing Rod, Tackle, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,319	96
Builder	21	-
Carpenter, Joiner	208	2
Bricklayer	297	4
Mason	29	-
Slater, Tiler	19	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	40	-
Plumber	15	-
Painter, Glazier	151	3
Cabinet Maker	57	12
French Polisher	2	11
Furniture Broker, Dealer	6	2
Locksmith, Bellhanger	301	61
Gas Fitter	153	1
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	4	-
Carver, Gilder	15	-
Dealer in Works of Art	1	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	1,772	819
Coachmaker	43	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	2	-
Wheelwright	34	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Others	25	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	1,667	819
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	7	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	7	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	24	1
Chemist, Druggist	24	1
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	11	21
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	6	10
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	5	11
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	703	165
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	96	22
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	2	14
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	5	1
Maltster	23	-
Brewer	35	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	28	7
Cellarman	5	1
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	11	3
Milkseller, Dairyman	17	4
Butcher, Meat Salesman	105	16
Provision Curer, Dealer	7	13
Poulterer, Game Dealer	7	4
Fishmonger	8	3
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	6	-
Corn Miller	20	-
Baker	100	15
Confectioner, Pastrycook	23	13
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	39	16
Sugar Refiner	1	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	161	32
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	4	-
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	116	80
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	3	1
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	2	3
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	-	2
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	2	3
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	1	-
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	-	1
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	10	-
Mat Maker, Seller	1	1
Net Maker	1	-
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	1	-
Weaver (undefined)	-	3
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	5	2
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	-	3
Felt Manufacture	1	-
Manchester Warehouseman	2	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	75	35
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	11	21
Trimming Maker, Dealer	-	2
Embroiderer	-	2
Others	1	1
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	436	839
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	12	-
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	-	1
Tailor	140	181
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	2	420
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	34	170
Hosiery Manufacture	1	1
Hosier, Haberdasher	7	7
Glover, Glove Maker	-	2
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	207	49
Patten, Clog Maker	1	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	28	-
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	2	-
Accoutrement Maker	1	-
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	1	8
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	489	92
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	4	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	9	-
Furrier, Skinner	-	1
Tanner, Fellmonger	41	1
Currier	287	12
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	6	7
Brush, Broom, Maker	142	68
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	-	3
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	142	77
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Oil and Colourman	1	-
Japanner	18	53
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	3	3
Others	-	1
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	16	1
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	4	1
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	15	-
Sawyer	26	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	2	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	16	1
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	26	1
Paper Manufacture	-	3
Stationer, Law Stationer	7	7
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	4	6
Others	3	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	3,581	352
Coal Miner	395	14
Ironstone Miner	42	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	29	2
Mine Service	14	-
Coal Merchant	48	4
Coalheaver	9	2
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	-	1
Gas Works Service	48	-
Stone Quarrier	26	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	7	-
Limeburner	19	-
Well Sinker, Borer	6	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	49	17
Paviour	5	-
Road Labourer	9	-
Railway Contractor	3	-
Platelayer	31	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	68	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	5	3
Glass Manufacture	22	3
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	4	2
Waterworks Service	2	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	65	5
[Iron Manufacture]	1,182	21
[Steel Manufacture]	1	-
Blacksmith	144	-
Whitesmith	3	-
Nail Manufacture	6	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	290	8
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	58	-
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	6	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	39	1
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	34	1
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	380	17
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	20	23
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	291	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	3	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	5	5
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	23	2
Clasp, Buckle, Hinge Maker	112	217
Fancy Chain, Gilt Toy Maker	2	-
Others	76	4
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	1,231	277
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	23	31
Pawnbroker	12	28
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	26	24
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	7	5
Contractor (undefined)	2	-
General Labourer	627	21
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	113	2
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	325	58
Apprentice (undefined)	10	-
Factory Labourer (undefined)	80	62
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	6	46
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	12	-
Town Drainage Service	1	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	8	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	3	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	120	909
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	120	909
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	205	6,731
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	21	6
[Blank field, or illegible]	184	6,725

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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.)