Occupations

Detailed occupation data was collected from 1841. Statistical reports reported the number of persons in 877 occupations, grouped into 12 classes, excluding the unoccupied, wives and children. For 1851, occupations were grouped into 17 classes divided into 90 sub-classes. The categorization was modified in subsequent years and for 1881 included:

• 6 Classes
• 24 Groups
• 80 Sub-groups
• 414 Categories

This 1881 categorization has been used, with additional divisions of the "unoccupied" class. There are 3819 distinct occupations included in the database after removing variations such as "Ag Lab". "Ag. Lab.", "Agr. Lab." etc. for "Agricultural Labourer". This loses none of the original information, but otherwise the original has been retained. We have, however, introduced a "Preferred Occupation" to remove abbreviations and to clarify a "work status" which includes "Unemployed", "Pensioner", "Formerly" etc., and to clearly identify "Master", "Journeyman", "Apprentice", etc. This allows these terms to be searched for, as well as the Classes, Groups, Sub-groups and Categories.

The following links provide access to pages that give the number of persons in each class, group, sub-group and category, presenting the information in tabular and graphical form, with further links identifying the individuals and the households of which they were part.

For each class, then group, followed by sub-group and finally category. In each grouping the link provides data relating to the next lower level within the heirarchy

For each category within sub-group, group and class. Similar to the above, but showing the data in the occupation hierarchy. The links exist only at the category level.

For a selection of classes, groups, sub-groups or categories.The data is consolidated for the selection and presented as a table and a graph.