Dear Listers, I was hoping to have found something a little bit more descriptive on a number of birth certificates where the fathers occupation was listed as Engineer. In the 1840's what would the description Engineer most likely apply to? Was this simply someone who operated machinery or drove a railway engine, or was it something more sophisticated ? Cheers Ian in Hong Kong

Ian, Engineer is one of those terms that can cover many things, especially during the 19th century. It can mean a man who drove a railway engine (though that was a fairly new occupation in the 1840's) or someone who operated a stationary engine. It could also be a person who designed roads, bridges, or machinery. HTH Anne On 24 Jul 2010, at 09:27, Ian Robinson wrote: > Dear Listers, > > I was hoping to have found something a little bit more descriptive > on a number of birth certificates where the fathers occupation was > listed as Engineer. In the 1840's what would the description > Engineer most likely apply to? Was this simply someone who operated > machinery or drove a railway engine, or was it something more > sophisticated ? > > Cheers > > Ian in Hong Kong > > -------------------------------

Hi Ian I would be interested in any other opinions myself. Although my grandfather William James HILLIER wasn't born until 1871 - in many censuses prior to 1871, his family (father Wm and uncle George) are listed as a boiler makers & Marine boiler makers. In 1881 Georges daughter Emily was working for an ironfounder W E morris and I think that it's likely Wm and George worked for him also. Engineering and iron founderies seem to go hand in hand and follow through from their occupations in prior censuses. Being the docks area, ship building etc, this seemed logical to me. Plus the fact that they came to Deptford from Bridport, a Dorset port area, to the london docks area. In 1891 William James HILLIER was listed as marine engineers assistant (his father Wm was a Marine Boilermaker) In 1901 he is listed as a general engineer 1911 he is listed as a working engineer, electrical engineering 1941 at my parents marriage, as an engineer (retired) Any one with any ideas - I would welcome the input and discussion on the list myself. Also any ideas about how to track down any respective documents in relation to how they achieved their qualifications might be enlightening. Thanks in advance from both Ian and myself....grin !!! Cheers Pam from Adelaide Australia > I was hoping to have found something a little bit more descriptive on a > number of birth certificates where the fathers occupation was listed as > Engineer. In the 1840's what would the description Engineer most likely > apply to? Was this simply someone who operated machinery or drove a > railway engine, or was it something more sophisticated ?