Hi Sheila Annie does not appear to have any gypsy connection that I can see, she is as you say a general servant in 1861 and a cook in 1901, in 1871 she is a domestic servant In 1891 husband Ambrose is a salesman, no occupation enumerated for Annie in 1891 or 1881 (where hubby is a Grocer as he is in 1871) The only sign of traveller I can see is that Ambrose is a Salesman in 1891, that could be a travelling salesman but that can cover a multitude of jobs, could Annie have helped out or taken over if he was ill perhaps ? Of course the census is only a snap shot of one day every ten years and much could happen in between them, but nothing in the occupations of their children or or details suggests any gypsy connection, just the reverse really What does it say on their childrens baptisms or the death certs / burials I wonder Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 16/10/2012 13:03, Sheila and Brian Longden wrote: > My g grandmother Annie Jane HEATH was described in family papers as being a traveller. I am aware that one meaning for this would be a travelling salesperson but I would have thought this would more likely refer to a man. She was born in 1848 in Lambeth and died I think in 1902. She married into a Jewish Family called JACOBS.. Could this indicate perhaps that traveller referred to a Gypsy, or did women have jobs at this time that would mean she travelled during the course of the job. Unfortunately I don’t have any family members alive that could shed light on this mystery. > > In the 1861 census she is described as a general servant and in 1901 as cook, not domestic. There is no date on the information to act as reference > > cheers Sheila

Thanks Nivard and others who responded in a similar vein. Ambrose did die before Annie so as you say she may have taken over from his job as a salesman. That makes sense. I haven't bought any certificates yet but am rapidly approaching the point where I have to, I think cheers Sheila Hi Sheila Annie does not appear to have any gypsy connection that I can see, she is as you say a general servant in 1861 and a cook in 1901, in 1871 she is a domestic servant In 1891 husband Ambrose is a salesman, no occupation enumerated for Annie in 1891 or 1881 (where hubby is a Grocer as he is in 1871) The only sign of traveller I can see is that Ambrose is a Salesman in 1891, that could be a travelling salesman but that can cover a multitude of jobs, could Annie have helped out or taken over if he was ill perhaps ? Of course the census is only a snap shot of one day every ten years and much could happen in between them, but nothing in the occupations of their children or or details suggests any gypsy connection, just the reverse really What does it say on their childrens baptisms or the death certs / burials I wonder Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK)