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".

List Lancashire RegC	Bury RegD/PLU

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	220	4
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	28	3
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	39	-
Police	87	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	58	1
Other Local or County Official	8	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	372	1
Army Officer (effective/retired)	14	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	140	1
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	199	-
Army Pensioner	17	-
Navy Pensioner	2	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	705	412
Clergymen (Established Church)	41	-
Roman Catholic Priest	8	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	37	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	2	1
Theological Student	2	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	23	4
Barrister, Solicitor	25	-
Law Student	2	-
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	59	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	34	1
Dentist	20	1
Medical Student, Assistant	24	-
Midwife	-	8
Subordinate Medical Service	7	71
Schoolmaster	197	263
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	3	23
School Service, and others connected with teaching	5	2
Author, Editor, Journalist	10	-
Reporter, Short-hand Writer	3	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	8	-
Civil Engineer	14	-
Mining Engineer	7	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	16	-
Painter (artist)	12	1
Engraver (artist)	8	-
Sculptor	2	-
Architect	27	-
Musician, Music Master	46	21
Art Student	3	1
Photographer	16	1
Actor	20	10
Art, Music, Theatre Service	5	1
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	8	2
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	11	1
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	389	4,451
Domestic Coachman, Groom	120	-
Domestic Gardener	129	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	58	3,900
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	4	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	39	103
College, Club Service	15	8
Office Keeper (not Government)	3	4
Cook (not domestic)	1	3
Charwoman	1	246
Washing and Bathing Service	16	183
Hospital and Institution Service	3	2
Others engaged in Service	-	1
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	1,142	22
Merchant	5	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	103	-
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	30	-
Accountant	20	1
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	18	-
Commercial Traveller	98	2
Commercial Clerk	736	16
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	1	-
Banker	1	-
Bank Service	35	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	95	3
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	1,907	22
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	69	-
Railway Guard	22	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	60	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	328	1
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	19	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	79	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	1,063	2
Inland Navigation Service	7	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	10	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	18	-
Ship Steward, Cook	1	1
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	2	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	82	10
Meter, Weigher	4	-
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	130	4
Telegraph, Telephone Service	13	4
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	1,420	99
Farmer, Grazier	402	32
Farmer's, Grazier's - Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew	141	-
Farm Bailiff	28	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	749	65
Shepherd	4	-
Agricultural Machine - Proprietor, Attendant	1	-
Woodman	7	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	2	-
Gardener (not domestic)	86	2
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	120	4
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	73	2
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	25	1
Cattle, Sheep, Pig - Dealer, Salesman	6	-
Drover	2	-
Gamekeeper	9	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	1
Knacker, Catsmeat Dealer &c &c.	4	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	187	13
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	14	2
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	2	-
Bookbinder	15	2
Printer	136	4
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	16	5
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	4	-
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	1,618	13
Engine, Machine Maker	233	1
Millwright	99	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	448	2
Boiler Maker	152	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	583	8
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	2	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	7	-
Cutler, Scissors Maker	5	-
File Maker	10	-
Saw Maker	2	-
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	42	-
Electrical Apparatus Maker	2	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	18	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	1	-
Type Cutter, Founder	3	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	5	-
Toy Maker, Dealer	1	2
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	1	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	2,580	11
Builder	36	-
Carpenter, Joiner	852	-
Bricklayer	318	-
Mason	510	-
Slater, Tiler	94	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	73	-
Plumber	155	1
Painter, Glazier	391	1
Cabinet Maker	99	4
French Polisher	16	2
Furniture Broker, Dealer	9	3
Locksmith, Bellhanger	1	-
Gas Fitter	14	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Wood Carver	1	-
Carver, Gilder	6	-
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	1	-
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	350	2
Coachmaker	46	-
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	81	1
Wheelwright	155	1
Others	20	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	48	-
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	8	-
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	5	-
Shipwright, Ship Carpenter (ashore)	1	-
Mast, Yard, Oar, Block Maker	1	-
Sail Maker	1	-
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	245	14
Dye, Paint Manufacture	49	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	1	-
Chemist, Druggist	67	6
Manufacturing Chemist	94	2
Alkali Manufacture	8	-
Drysalter	26	6
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	17	12
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	17	12
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	1,591	495
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	174	40
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	17	45
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	10	5
Maltster	1	-
Brewer	74	2
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	131	30
Cellarman	5	-
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	10	-
Milkseller, Dairyman	37	2
Butcher, Meat Salesman	295	32
Provision Curer, Dealer	64	29
Poulterer, Game Dealer	1	-
Fishmonger	32	4
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	11	1
Corn Miller	18	7
Baker	110	29
Confectioner, Pastrycook	71	80
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	122	22
Sugar Refiner	2	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	393	166
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	13	1
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	11,560	17,166
Woolstapler	6	-
Woollen Cloth Manufacture	490	712
Wool, Woollen goods - Dyer, Printer	24	2
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	7	15
Flannel Manufacture	2	1
Blanket Manufacture	1	20
Fuller	174	1
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	36	1
Others	-	1
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	28	109
Silk Dyer, Printer	9	-
Silk Merchant, Dealer	1	2
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	7,405	14,886
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	1,639	252
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	135	22
Flax, Linen - Manufacturer, Dealer	4	13
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	2	2
Fustian Manufacturer, Dealer	76	148
Tape Manufacturer, Dealer	8	17
Thread Manufacturer, Dealer	2	5
[Others]	1	4
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	53	2
Canvas, Sailcloth Manufacture	2	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	-	4
Weaver (undefined)	49	223
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	846	209
Factory Hand (textile, undefined)	298	270
Felt Manufacture	1	3
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	11	32
Manchester Warehouseman	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	194	72
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	-	9
Trimming Maker, Dealer	9	50
Embroiderer	-	1
Others	46	78
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	1,211	1,626
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	367	352
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	1	-
Tailor	262	107
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	3	1,033
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	5	107
Hosiery Manufacture	1	1
Hosier, Haberdasher	7	5
Glover, Glove Maker	1	1
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	225	11
Patten, Clog Maker	286	-
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	47	1
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	6	2
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	-	6
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	184	8
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	7	-
Soap Boiler, Maker	12	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	4	-
Manure Manufacture	-	1
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Comb Maker	1	-
Furrier, Skinner	20	-
Tanner, Fellmonger	51	-
Currier	58	3
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	5	-
Parchment, Vellum - Maker, Dealer	-	1
Brush, Broom, Maker	22	-
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	3	3
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	900	507
Oil Miller, Oil Cake - Maker, Dealer	10	1
Oil and Colourman	1	-
Floor Cloth, Oil Cloth Manufacture	1	-
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	1	-
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	5	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	29	2
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	2	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	21	-
Sawyer	90	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	8	1
Wood Turner, Box Maker	45	-
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	35	-
Paper Manufacture	633	486
Stationer, Law Stationer	11	6
Card, Pattern Card Maker	1	-
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	-	11
Ticket, Label Writer	1	-
Others	6	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	5,003	36
Coal Miner	1,289	10
Ironstone Miner	4	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	2	-
Mine Service	18	-
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	1	-
Coal Merchant	103	2
Coalheaver	46	-
Coke, Charcoal, Peat - Cutter, Burner, Dealer	5	-
Gas Works Service	116	1
Stone Quarrier	214	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	18	-
Slate Worker, Dealer	2	-
Limeburner	4	-
Clay, Sand, Gravel, Chalk, Labourer, Dealer	9	-
Well Sinker, Borer	9	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	191	-
Paviour	48	-
Road Labourer	20	-
Railway Contractor	3	-
Platelayer	66	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	130	-
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	2	-
Glass Manufacture	2	-
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	16	4
Salt Maker, Dealer	1	-
Waterworks Service	8	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	6	2
[Iron Manufacture]	1,789	7
[Steel Manufacture]	2	-
Blacksmith	528	1
Whitesmith	6	-
Nail Manufacture	2	-
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	2	-
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	40	6
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	24	-
[Coppersmith]	13	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	136	1
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	7	1
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	76	1
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	1	-
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	1	-
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	36	-
Others	7	-
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	3,448	329
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	59	97
Pawnbroker	30	15
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	79	44
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	56	3
Contractor (undefined)	23	-
General Labourer	2,146	17
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	585	2
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	314	40
Apprentice (undefined)	16	1
Factory Labourer (undefined)	116	98
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	24	12
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	40	3
Town Drainage Service	10	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	13	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	9	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	8	3
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	370	2,707
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	370	2,707
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	212	12,768
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	41	23
[Blank field, or illegible]	171	12,745

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".

Click on the triangles for all about a particular number.

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.)