These pages list our ancestors and collateral relatives by occupation. The lists have been compiled primarily from census data for which, at the time of posting to this web site, records have been released only to 1911 in Ireland and the UK, 1921 in Canada, and 1940 in the US. Readers may wish to refer to the definitions page, for descriptions of the more unusual occupations.
- Accounting clerk, accountant
- Agricultural labourer
- Aircraft fitter or mechanic
- Alderman, councillor
- Ambassador, consul, diplomat
- Anthologist
- Apothecary, druggist
- Apprentice
- Architect, drafting
- Artist's designer
- Assurance, or insurance, agent or broker
- Baker, baker's assistant
- Banker
- Bartender, barmaid
- Blacksmith
- Boat manager, lighterman
- Boilermaker
- Bondman, bondwoman, indentured servant
- Bookbinder
- Bookseller, bookseller's assistant
- Brewer, cellarman, clerk, drayman, labourer, maltster
- Bricklayer, brick mason, clay digger, labourer
- Builder, contractor
- Business proprietor
- Butcher, butcher's assistant
- Canal contractor, canal manager
- Carpenter, cabinet maker, joiner
- Carter
- Cashier
- Charwoman
- Cheesemonger, cheesemonger's assistant
- Chemist, chemical analyst, laboratory assistant
- Chimney sweep
- Churchwarden, sexton, verger
- Clergyman, clerk or cleric, priest, minister, curate
- Clerk, secretary, stenographer
- Clockmaker
- Coach builder
- Coachman
- Coal mining and processing
- Cook
- Cooper
- Cordwainer
- Courier, dispatcher, messenger, delivery person
- Cowman
- Dental surgeon
- Dog breeder
- Draper, draper's assistant
- Dressmaker, needlewoman, seamstress
- Driver, lorry driver, omnibus driver, car man, van man
- Editor
- Electrician
- Engineer
- Estate agent
- Farmer, husbandman, fruit grower, orchardist
- Fellmonger
- Film, theatre, television
- Fireman
- Florist, florist's assistant
- Foreman
- Foundry worker
- Gamekeeper
- Gardener
- Gas fitter
- Gentleman Usher
- Grocer, grocer's assistant, cashier, &c.
- Government administration
- Governess
- Groom
- Hairdresser
- Home support worker, home care provider
- Hon. East India Company's Service
- Hotel proprietor, innkeeper
- House painter, house decorator
- Housekeeper, caretaker, cleaner, janitor
- Indigo planter, factory owner, factory superintendent
- Jeweller
- Joiner
- Judge, justice of the peace, magistrate
- Labourer
- Lace maker, dresser, manufacturer
- Lamplighter
- Laundress, ironer, washerwoman
- Lawyer, barrister, clerk, solicitor
- Leather worker
- Librarian
- Limeburner
- Lithographer
- Lock keeper
- Lodging house keeper
- Manager, administrator
- Manufacturer, industrialist
- Manufacturing trades
- Mason, stone cutter, stonemason
- Mechanic
- Merchant, businessman
- Merchant service, merchant marine, merchant navy
- Milk dealer, milk man
- Miller, miller's labourer
- Milliner
- Mining manager, miner
- Music teacher
- Musical instrument maker
- Musician
- Newspapers, journalism
- Nurse, medical attendant, orderly
- Oilman
- Ostler
- Photographer
- Physician, surgeon
- Plasterer
- Plumber
- Poet
- Police
- Politician, elected representative, member of parliament
- Porter
- Portrait painter
- Postman
- Printer, publisher
- Prison warden, governor, gaolor
- Professor
- Publican, off-license, spirit grocer
- Quarryman
- Railway labourer, brakeman, carman, porter, signalman
- Rancher
- Road man
- Salesman, sales lady, sales clerk, traveller
- Sawyer
- Scientist, researcher
- Seaman, boatswain, mariner, ship's boy, steward
- Servant (domestic)
- Shepherd
- Shipbuilder, shipsmith, shipwright
- Shoemaker, boot maker, clicker, dealer, fitter
- Shopkeeper, shopkeeper's assistant, mercantile clerk
- Silversmith
- Stationer
- Stay maker
- Steamfitter
- Stockman on farm, horseman on farm
- Stoker, fireman
- Surveyor
- Tailor, tailoress, tailor's cutter, clothier
- Teacher
- Telegraph or telephone operator
- Textile manufacture
- Thatcher
- Toolmaker, die sinker/setter
- Trustee
- Victualler, provision dealer
- Warehouseman
- Watchman
- Weaver
- Welder
- Wheelwright
- Whitesmith
- Woodman
- Writer
- Yeoman
❖ ❖ ❖