I have a number of ancestors who were described in the Victorian Censuses as "gamekeepers" 1. At that time were there professional standards or could anyone so describe himself? I presume that there was no formal training, simply learning from an "master" gamekeeper, a sort of informal apprenticeship. 2. I assume that all gamekeepers were employed on various estates. How can one discover on which estate an ancestor worked? 3. Is there a central record of gamekeepers? 4. During the Victorian period were there many gamekeeper and what would be their social status, and relative income? Was the social standing of the employer reflected in that of his gamekeeper? 5. Would a gamekeeper live on the estate or in the village? I would appreciate any information Thank you. David

Hi David I can't answer all your questions, but gamekeepers had to be licensed - these were often published in local newspapers (which give the employers names)- try Richard Heaton's wonderful newspaper indexes http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dutillieul/index.html I believe there is a gamekeepers index - but sorry I can't remember the contact details Hope this helps in some small way Debbie David Parker wrote: > I have a number of ancestors who were described in the Victorian Censuses as "gamekeepers" > > 1. At that time were there professional standards or could anyone so describe himself? I presume that there was no formal training, simply learning from an "master" gamekeeper, a sort of informal apprenticeship. > 2. I assume that all gamekeepers were employed on various estates. How can one discover on which estate an ancestor worked? > 3. Is there a central record of gamekeepers? > 4. During the Victorian period were there many gamekeeper and what would be their social status, and relative income? Was the social standing of the employer reflected in that of his gamekeeper? > 5. Would a gamekeeper live on the estate or in the village? > > I would appreciate any information > > Thank you. > > David > *************************************** > > When replying to this message, please spare a thought for your fellow list members, and anyone searching the archives in the future. SNIP everything which is not essential for comprehension or continuity (including the footers which will be put back anyway!) > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to HAMPSHIRE-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > ___________________________________________________________ The all-new Yahoo! Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html