I hope I'm wrong.

I googled an occupation of a family person and the definition made me feel sick. I hope to find another definition. I've led a sheltered life.

The occupation - small font - Bottle Merchant.

Please set the record straight

If this post offends please delete and I am sorry.

 

From my list of Victorian Occupations
Bottle Dealer - Someone who dealt in bottles.
I am sure you can substitute dealer for merchant!

 

Oh, Colin! Ick!

If it makes you feel any better, in Glasgow lingo that phrase means "coward." No idea why. glasgow.gmdesign.org.uk

I prefer MollyMay's definition.

 

So do I - but -
1] He was married in 1874 and lived with his wife's parents. One daughter age 3months - 1881 census. Occupation as noted post #1.
2] 1891 census - same occupation - still married - 1 daughter aged 10.
3] 1901 census - same occupation - same residence as 1891 - still married - one daughter age 20 and his widowed mother-in-law.
4] 1911 census - he is in hospital - occupation Formerly Builders Labourer.
Now his wife:
1911 - she is head of house - married and living with her 30 year old unmarried daughter. She had been married 36 years - had given birth to 8 children and 7 had died.

Of the 7 children to die - the eldest was less than 3 years old
In each census from 1881 to 1901 he was enumerated as employer

If this was his main income - then he part-time jobbed as a builders labourer and 'recruited' -- a sick s.o.b.

When he popped his clogs - 12 November 1936 - his estate was almost 1200 pounds - pretty impressive for a builders labourer.

Or am I being nasty?

 

I really want to think you are correct.

I am truly sorry if this post has upset anyone.

 

Yes I too have got someone who dealt in bottles. But please do not worry about people been offended - I am certainly not - and I shouldn't think other people are. Our ancestors sometimes had to work at many jobs - some that probably were not too savoury. But it happened - it is in the past - do not worry.

 

I've never considered myself naive but Artful's post makes me wonder because I can't understand what's so shocking with being a Bottle Merchant (normal Font ). I can think of many occupations worse than being a Bottle Merchant so is there a hidden meaning in the title Bottle Merchant?

 

Google it - is my suggestion

 

OMG just Googled it, who would have connected that meaning to Bottle Merchant. Mind you we are convicting him without a trial, perhaps as a cover job he was someone dealing in bottles whilst being a very successful thief. Ironic isn't it that having a thief in the family tree would be preferable.

 

Now go and read post 4 and you may have an idea of my dilemma - when I am preparing a family history chart for an almost 80 year old lady.

 

What's all this about..I thought to myself.
So I Googled as in Colin's suggestion.

 

Good money in it I guess, Colin. Being a builder's labourer/part time bottle merchant.

 

I wish I hadn't started this thread!!! - but it's too late now.

 

Maybe he needed the money see post #4

 

Would an 80 year old lady know of a seamy meaning to the title Bottle Merchant, I suspect many people would take that title at face value, as for his Employer title, Rag and Bone merchants, Scrap Merchants employed people.

 

Honestly, I can't see what the fuss is about and fail to see how anyone could be offended by the definition. Maybe I'm just slow.

Life is life, people are people, and most things have been around forever and always will be. Prostitution in all forms has always been with us - consider the phrase "the oldest profession" - and I can't see it disappearing at any time.

Plus, there's no need to elaborate on the possible meaning in your report, after all this alternative is just conjecture on your part and you could be way out. Just leave it at "bottle merchant" and not even a saint could be upset by it, let alone an 80 year old lady.

Easy.

 

In spite of her age - she's been around the block a couple of times and more computer literate than I am.

My mission [which I have chosen to accept] is to mend a rift that started in our joint families in 1950 and involved her dad, mother, uncle and aunt on one side and my dad and mum along with his mother and stepfather on the other.

She is the only one left alive of all [apart from me ] and I feel it is time to heal before it is too late.

Maybe, I'll just use the occupation as a Bottle Dealer [self-employed] and Builders Labourer [part time] when the weather was suitable [which in England is not often]

 

I totally agree with you Philippa (post #16), my sentiments exactly.

 

To be honest, she would have to be a pretty 'with it' Granny to even think it was something seamy. We had to look it up, remember.

 

W

I'll put the occupations as per the census and as for the deaths I'll just provide the quarter and year.

The man in question is her gt.-grand uncle and the 7 children that died are her 1st cousins. If she is interested in the cause of their deaths, then she can pursue it further.

I will not rock the boat at this stage