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Wha is a Gummer?

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Sonya

Sonya Report 19 May 2009 00:39

On the 1901 census, a 21-year-old female relative's occupation is listed as a Gummer. Does anyone know what this is? Can it be as simple as somebody who glues things? If you look up the definition of Gummer, it's described as a punch-cutting tool, so could it also be applied to a person who uses such a tool?

Can anybody throw any light on it?

Many thanks (with fingers crossed).

Researching:
Needham/Bagshaw in Derbyshire, Calland in Lancashire, Rudd in Hull/Norfolk, Wallace/Guinan in Ireland

Elizabethofseasons

Elizabethofseasons Report 19 May 2009 00:53

Dear Sonya

I think it means a person who recut old saws, to sharpen them.

I would check on occupations, Genuki.

They hold extensive info about occupations of all kinds.

Best wishes

Sonya

Sonya Report 20 May 2009 00:34

Thanks folks.

I must admit, it seems a strange occupation for a 21-year-old lass!

Her sister was a domestic servant and the men of the household were coal miners. It makes me wonder how she got into what seems a rather specialised field?

Researching:
Needham/Bagshaw in Derbyshire, Calland in Lancashire, Rudd in Hull/Norfolk, Wallace/Guinan in Ireland

Elizabethofseasons

Elizabethofseasons Report 20 May 2009 00:46

Dear Sonya

She may have got extra money for having the those skills.
She could also have been her own boss in that she could go anywhere to do the work. Independence.

It may have been handed down to her or taught.

Check Genuki about the history of obsolete occupations.
They should be able to give more information about this.

Best wishes.
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