Old Occupations

Victorian servants belonged to one of the largest employment sectors in Britain.  Did your ancestor work in this sector?

Historically, an innkeeper managed an inn, or pub, and still does! However, inns were much more than just a place to drink. Let’s find out more ..

A Scottish ghillie traditionally worked on Highland estates as a highly respected expert on the land, wildlife, and rivers.

Ever come across the term ‘hawker’ in a census and wondered, ‘What is a hawker?’ This was an old occupation for someone who sold goods door-to-door or on the street.

Learn about Scottish mining history from servitude to the rise of unions with tips on how to trace your old coal miner ancestor in records.

What is a Carter? This old occupation refers to someone who had a cart and horse to transport goods. Was your ancestor a carter?

Teachers – Learn how to access pre-19th century records about this old occupation from Scottish archives, schools and libraries.

The cooper occupation was prevalent and significant in ports around Scotland, particularly in Leith, Edinburgh. Find out why….

Explore the rich legacy of Scottish weavers and discover where to find them in documents