Occupation query, again!

Hi all

Merry Christmas!

I previously posted a message asking if someone could have changed occupations and have been a Gas Fitter and Labourer.

Associated thead
http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=thread&id=5018#p5018

On George's marriage cert in Nov 1840 he states he is a 'Fireman', but on the 1841 census he is an Ag Lab. Is this one feasible do you think, to be a Fireman then an Ag Lab? Was a Fireman a full time occupation in those days or something voluntary/part time?

Thanks

Simone x

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How clear is Fireman written ? could it be Farmer or similar ??

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Thanks Slowhands,:)

No it definitely says Fireman.

Simone x

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It all seems to fit with an Agricultural background, water power was the driver in Stroud ( for the mills) , unless you count the Canal boat traffic ( or the GWR ) ....

Name: Elizabeth Alder / Cadie /Cadle (transcribers unsure ?)
Name: George Whitaker
Year of Registration: 1840
Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
District: Stroud (1837 Onw)
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 11
Page: 639

1841 Ruscombe Stroud
George Whitaker abt 1821 Gloucestershire, England Stroud Gloucestershire Ag Lab
Elizabeth Whitaker abt 1816 Gloucestershire, England Stroud Gloucestershire

1851 New Rd, Blakeney area
George Whitaker abt 1822 Stroud, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire Ag Lab
Elizabeth Whitaker abt 1817 Stroud, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
Elen Whitaker abt 1842 Stroud, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Eliza Whitaker abt 1847 Stroud, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Whitaker abt 1850 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
George Whitaker abt 1842 Stroud, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Harriet Whitaker abt 1845 Stroud, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
William Whitaker abt 1833 Stroud, Gloucestershire, England Nephew East Dean Gloucestershire

Name: George Whitaker
Year of Registration: 1861
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Abergavenny
County: Herefordshire, Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 46

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Thanks Slowhands

The marriage cert has George Whitaker m Elizabeth Alder (widow). Her father's name William Smith, Labourer. George's father William Whitaker, Cloth weaver.

Witnesses Enoch Alder and Sarah Alder.

I notice on Ancestry, Elizabeth is listed on same marriage page as being Cadle, Cadie and Alder, so not sure if Cadle/Cadie one is a different marriage from the page, or if something else going on there!

Thanks for you help.

Simone x

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Here is a couple of types of Firemen of the past, other than the Fireman we know of today

Fireman in the Coal Mines
Early coal mines were troubled by methane gas; the coal mine
management paid someone to disperse the gas by igniting it with a
naked flame. As you can imagine this was a very dangerous
occupation and these "firemen" literally risked their lives every
time they entered a gaseous area of the mine.

The fireman walked down roads or tunnels with a candle and
ignited any accumulated gases he encountered. He held a long
stick with a candle at the end. Naturally this exploded any
methane present. His only protection was to wear clothing such as
wool, or leather, well damped, and his head protected by a hood
Very often the fireman was killed during the operation
of igniting the gas.
http://www.petcaretips.net/gas-coal-mine.html

Railway Fireman
A person who tends the fire of a steam engine, a stoker.

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1171 views

Thanks Dave:)

That sounds very feasible doesn't it.
Maye he left that job as he had just married, the mine fireman sounds none too safe!!

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