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 Birmingham RegD/Inc/PLU	St Thomas SubD

OCCUPATIONS.	Males. [1]	Females. [2]
1. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE GENERAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY.	123	3
Civil Service (officers and clerks)	12	2
Civil Service (messengers, &c.)	49	-
Police	32	-
Municipal, Parish, Union, District, Officer	18	1
Other Local or County Official	12	-
2. PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY.	16	-
Army Officer (effective/retired)	1	-
Soldier and Non-commissioned officer	6	-
Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers	1	-
Army Pensioner	5	-
Navy Pensioner	3	-
3. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES).	311	194
Clergymen (Established Church)	2	-
Minister, Priest of other religious bodies	2	-
Missionary, Scripture Reader, Itinerant preacher	7	1
Theological Student	1	-
Church, chapel, cemetery - officer, servant	5	1
Barrister, Solicitor	6	1
Law Clerk, and others connected with the law	36	-
Physician, Surgeon, General Practitioner	19	1
Dentist	16	-
Medical Student, Assistant	8	2
Midwife	-	1
Subordinate Medical Service	5	40
Schoolmaster	30	59
Teacher, Professor, Lecturer	7	21
School Service, and others connected with teaching	4	1
Author, Editor, Journalist	6	-
Persons engaged in Scientific Pursuits	1	-
Literary, Scientific, Institution, Service, &c.	1	-
Civil Engineer	5	-
Land, House, Ship, Surveyor	4	-
Painter (artist)	15	3
Engraver (artist)	17	-
Architect	3	-
Musician, Music Master	56	33
Art Student	1	2
Photographer	5	2
Actor	20	19
Art, Music, Theatre Service	6	1
Performer, Showman, Exhibition, Service	13	6
Billiard, Cricket & other Games, Service	10	-
4. PERSONS ENGAGED IN DOMESTIC OFFICES OR SERVICES.	272	2,007
Domestic Coachman, Groom	19	-
Domestic Gardener	29	-
Domestic Indoor Servant	37	1,359
Lodge, Gate, Park Keeper (not Government)	1	1
Inn, Hotel Servant	151	154
College, Club Service	7	-
Office Keeper (not Government)	11	27
Cook (not domestic)	6	6
Charwoman	-	184
Washing and Bathing Service	5	245
Hospital and Institution Service	4	31
Others engaged in Service	2	-
5. PERSONS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL OCCUPATIONS.	477	66
Merchant	10	-
Broker, Agent, Factor	25	2
Auctioneer, Appraiser, Valuer, House Agent	3	-
Accountant	10	-
Salesman, Buyer (not otherwise specified)	7	20
Commercial Traveller	97	2
Commercial Clerk	296	40
Officer of Commercial Company, Guild, Society &c.	1	-
Bank Service	12	-
Bill Discounter, Bill Broker, Finance Agent	1	-
Life, House, Ship &c., Insurance Service	15	2
6. PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVEYANCE OF MEN, GOODS, AND MESSAGES.	788	119
Railway Engine Driver, Stoker	10	-
Railway Guard	10	-
Pointsman, Level Crossing Man	5	-
Other Railway Officials and Servants	112	5
Toll Collector, Turnpike Gate Keeper	1	-
Omnibus, Coach, Cab, Owner - Livery Stable Keeper	13	-
Cabman, Flyman, Coachman (not domestic)	87	-
Carman, Carrier, Carter, Haulier	142	2
Tramway Companies' Service	1	-
Inland Navigation Service	7	-
Bargeman, Lighterman, Waterman	62	-
Seaman (Merchant Service)	3	-
Ship Steward, Cook	1	-
Harbour, Dock, Wharf, Lighthouse Service	2	-
Warehouseman (not Manchester)	56	102
Messenger, Porter, Watchman (not Railway or Government)	262	10
Telegraph, Telephone Service	14	-
7. PERSONS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE.	74	1
Farmer, Grazier	5	-
Farm Bailiff	3	-
Agricultural Labourer, Farm Servant, Cottager	13	1
Woodman	2	-
Nurseryman, Seedsman, Florist	3	-
Gardener (not domestic)	48	-
8. PERSONS ENGAGED ABOUT ANIMALS.	62	-
Groom, Horse-keeper, Horse-breaker	59	-
Veterinary Surgeon, Farrier	1	-
Drover	1	-
Dog, Bird, Animal - Keeper, Dealer	1	-
9. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN BOOKS, PRINTS, AND MAPS.	219	72
Publisher, Bookseller, Librarian	15	3
Music-Publisher, Seller, Printer	-	1
Bookbinder	23	49
Printer	131	17
Newspaper Agent, News Room Keeper	3	1
Others	2	-
Lithographer, Lithographic Printer	44	-
Map and Print - Colourer, Seller	1	1
10. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS.	662	271
Engine, Machine Maker	59	1
Millwright	3	-
Fitter, Turner (Engine and Machine)	109	-
Boiler Maker	6	-
Spinning and Weaving Machine Maker	1	-
Agricultural Machine and Implement Maker	2	-
Domestic Machinery - Maker, Dealer	6	-
Tool Maker, Dealer	101	2
Cutler, Scissors Maker	9	-
File Maker	18	1
Saw Maker	5	-
Pin Maker	1	21
Steel Pen Maker	8	199
Pencil Maker (Wood)	1	-
Domestic Implement Maker	8	12
Watch Maker, Clock Maker	76	11
Philosophical Instrument Maker	48	11
Electrical Apparatus Maker	12	-
Weighing and Measuring Apparatus Maker	59	1
Surgical Instrument Maker	5	3
Gunsmith, Gun Manufacturer	71	4
Sword, Bayonet - Maker, Cutler	12	-
Musical Instrument Maker, Dealer	23	1
Type Cutter, Founder	2	-
Die, Seal, Coin, Medal Maker	13	2
Toy Maker, Dealer	-	2
Apparatus for other games, Maker, Dealer	4	-
11. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN HOUSES, FURNITURE, AND DECORATIONS.	1,542	184
Builder	59	2
Carpenter, Joiner	255	1
Bricklayer	262	-
Mason	80	-
Slater, Tiler	43	-
Plasterer, Whitewasher	50	-
Paperhanger	16	-
Plumber	75	-
Painter, Glazier	279	1
Cabinet Maker	176	32
French Polisher	18	129
Furniture Broker, Dealer	13	7
Locksmith, Bellhanger	25	2
Gas Fitter	77	-
House and Shop Fittings - Maker, Dealer	11	3
Funeral Furniture Maker, Undertaker	7	2
Wood Carver	17	-
Carver, Gilder	70	3
Dealer in Works of Art	3	-
Figure, Image - Maker, Dealer	-	1
Animal, Bird &c. Preserver, Naturalist	6	-
Artificial Flower Maker	-	1
12. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CARRIAGES AND HARNESS.	352	150
Coachmaker	80	2
Railway Carriage, Railway Wagon, Maker	2	-
Wheelwright	28	-
Bicycle, Tricycle - Maker, Dealer	8	1
Others	3	-
Saddler, Harness, Whip Maker	231	147
13. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN SHIPS AND BOATS.	4	1
Ship, Boat, Barge Builder	4	1
14. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN CHEMICALS AND COMPOUNDS.	53	10
Dye, Paint Manufacture	1	-
Ink, Blacking, Colour Substance Manufacture	3	4
Fusee, Fireworks, Explosive Article Manufacture	3	2
Chemist, Druggist	37	1
Manufacturing Chemist	7	2
Alkali Manufacture	1	1
Drysalter	1	-
15. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TOBACCO AND PIPES.	29	23
Tobacco Manufacture, Tobacconist	25	21
Tobacco Pipe, Snuff Box &c. Maker	4	2
16. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN FOOD AND LODGING.	841	242
Innkeeper, Hotel Keeper, Publican	87	27
Lodging, Boarding House Keeper	3	23
Coffee, Eating House, Keeper	20	19
Maltster	23	-
Brewer	50	1
Beerseller, Ale, Porter, Cider Dealer	43	10
Cellarman	10	1
Wine, Spirit - Merchant, Agent	7	1
Milkseller, Dairyman	37	9
Butcher, Meat Salesman	138	10
Provision Curer, Dealer	12	5
Poulterer, Game Dealer	12	-
Fishmonger	40	8
Corn, Flour, Seed Merchant, Dealer	4	-
Corn Miller	12	-
Baker	119	18
Confectioner, Pastrycook	33	39
Greengrocer, Fruiterer	56	27
Mustard, Vinegar, Spice, Pickle Maker, Dealer	2	-
Sugar Refiner	1	-
Grocer. Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Maker, Dealer	129	40
Ginger Beer, Mineral Water Manufacturer, Dealer	3	4
17. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN TEXTILE FABRICS.	196	139
Worsted, Stuff, Manufacture	1	-
Cloth, Worsted, Stuff, Flannel, Blanket Dealer	3	-
Silk, Silk Goods, Manufacture	-	6
Ribbon Manufacture	-	1
Cotton, Cotton Goods Manufacture	2	4
Cotton, Calico - Printer, Dyer, Bleacher	1	-
Cotton, Calico - Warehouseman, Dealer	1	-
Lace Manufacturer, Dealer	-	6
Rope, Twine, Cord - Maker, Dealer	4	1
Mat Maker, Seller	2	-
Sacking, Sack, Bag - Maker, Dealer	1	1
Others working and Dealing in Hemp	1	-
Dyer, Printer, Scourer, Bleacher, Calenderer (undefined)	10	8
Carpet, Rug Manufacture	2	2
Manchester Warehouseman	1	-
Draper, Linen Draper, Mercer	157	77
Fancy Goods (Textile) Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	8	26
Trimming Maker, Dealer	2	6
Embroiderer	-	1
18. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN DRESS.	890	1,583
Hatter, Hat Manufacture	14	3
Straw - Hat, Bonnet, Plait Manufacture	2	6
Tailor	314	272
Milliner, Dressmaker, Staymaker	6	720
Shirt Maker, Seamstress	2	141
Hosiery Manufacture	-	2
Hosier, Haberdasher	24	27
Glover, Glove Maker	-	1
Button Maker, Dealer	44	163
Shoe, Boot - Maker, Dealer	417	144
Wig Maker, Hair Dresser	35	5
Umbrella, Parasol, Stick - Maker, Dealer	19	85
Accoutrement Maker	9	2
Old Clothes Dealer, and others	4	12
19. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.	198	82
Tallow Chandler, Candle, Grease Manufacture	3	3
Soap Boiler, Maker	2	-
Glue, Size, Gelatine, Isinglass - Maker, Dealer	1	-
Bone, Horn, Ivory, Tortoise-shell - Worker, Dealer	53	2
Furrier, Skinner	6	3
Tanner, Fellmonger	2	-
Currier	41	13
Leather Goods, Portmanteau, Bag, Strap &c., Maker, Dealer	30	31
Hair, Bristle - Worker, Dealer	3	4
Brush, Broom, Maker	56	25
Quill, Feather - Dresser, Dealer	1	1
20. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.	243	211
Oil and Colourman	2	-
Japanner	22	56
India Rubber, Gutta Percha - Worker, Dealer	5	3
Waterproof Goods - Maker, Dealer	1	1
Others	1	-
Willow, Cane, Rush Worker, Dealer, Basketmaker	39	8
Hay, Straw (not plait), Chaff, Cutter, Dealer	5	-
Timber, Wood - Merchant, Dealer	17	11
Sawyer	20	-
Lath, Wooden Fence, Hurdle Maker	1	-
Wood Turner, Box Maker	51	4
Cooper, Hoop Maker, Bender	22	1
Cork, Bark - Cutter, Worker, Dealer	2	3
Paper Manufacture	2	4
Stationer, Law Stationer	34	20
Card, Pattern Card Maker	-	1
Paper Stainer	-	2
Paper Box, Paper Bag Maker	5	96
Ticket, Label Writer	5	1
Others	9	-
21. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN VARIOUS MINERAL SUBSTANCES.	2,806	683
Coal Miner	3	-
Miner, in other or undefined Minerals	1	-
Mine Service	1	-
[Haulier] [not in Census Report but in codebook]	2	-
Coal Merchant	45	5
Coalheaver	66	1
Gas Works Service	9	-
Stone Quarrier	2	-
Stone Cutter, Dresser, Dealer	9	1
Limeburner	1	-
Well Sinker, Borer	3	-
Plaster, Cement Manufacture	3	-
Brick, Tile - Maker, Burner, Dealer	7	-
Paviour	9	-
Road Labourer	53	-
Railway Contractor	1	-
Platelayer	3	-
Railway Labourer, Navvy	13	1
Earthenware, China, Porcelain, Manufacture	9	15
Glass Manufacture	85	21
Earthenware, China, Glass Dealer	14	7
Waterworks Service	7	-
Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller	219	59
Gold, Silver, Beater	34	4
Lapidary	5	3
Others	5	22
[Iron Manufacture]	321	33
[Steel Manufacture]	60	8
Blacksmith	129	1
Whitesmith	3	-
Nail Manufacture	18	22
Anchor, Chain Manufacture	4	3
Ironmonger. Hardware Dealer, Merchant	52	4
Other Iron and Steel Manufacture	33	3
Copper, Copper Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	4	-
[Coppersmith]	13	-
Tin, Tin Plate, Tin Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	148	68
Zinc, Zinc Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	24	-
Lead, Leaden Goods - Manufacturer, Worker, Dealer	2	1
Metal Refiner, Worker, Turner, Dealer	65	4
Brass, Bronze Manufacture. Brazier	788	47
Metal Burnisher, Lacquerer	43	175
White Metal, Plated Ware, Manufacture. Pewterer	136	60
Wire Maker, Worker, Weaver, Drawer	58	9
Bolt, Nut, Rivet, Screw, Staple Maker	21	30
Lamp, Lantern, Candlestick Maker	188	50
Clasp, Buckle, Hinge Maker	15	2
Fancy Chain, Gilt Toy Maker	18	13
Others	54	11
22. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN GENERAL OR UNSPECIFIED COMMODITIES.	640	272
General Shopkeeper, Dealer	37	84
Pawnbroker	15	18
Costermonger, Huckster, Street Seller	59	23
Manufacturer, Manager, Superintendant (undefined)	9	4
Contractor (undefined)	1	-
General Labourer	262	1
Engine Driver, Stoker, Fireman (not railway, marine or agricultural)	75	1
Artizan, Mechanic (undefined)	120	56
Apprentice (undefined)	5	2
Factory Labourer (undefined)	54	75
Machinist, Machine Worker (undefined)	3	8
23. PERSONS WORKING AND DEALING IN REFUSE MATTERS.	41	-
Town Drainage Service	9	-
Chimney Sweep, Soot Merchant	26	-
Scavenger, Crossing Sweeper	5	-
Rag Gatherer, Dealer	1	-
24. PERSONS WITHOUT SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS.	108	669
Persons returned by Property, Rank &c. and not special occupation	108	669
[UNKNOWN OCCUPATION]	71	4,812
[Occupation recorded but of unknown meaning]	18	10
[Blank field, or illegible]	53	4,802

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".

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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.)