Bird stuffer?

Maisie · Post by **Maisie** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:05 am

Can anyone help with the occupation of John Young on his DC, which I'm putting on the gallery?

In 1864 his occupation was coalminer, limestone miner in 1869, coalminer again in 1891 and retired coalminer on his wife's DC in 1919. So why does it look like bird stuffer on his DC or is it just me?

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-763

I was quite disappointed when I realised one of my ancestors had the forename Napier and not Viper so you can tell I'm not good at handwriting!

Maisie
Currently researching Young, Nicol, Scoular, Lugton, Seggie and Edmiston in Lanark and the Lothians

Gallery URL added - AndrewP

Post by **AndrewP** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:49 pm

Hi Maisie,

I agree with you, he is listed as a bird stuffer (retired) as far as I can make out.

All the best,

AndrewP

Post by **emanday** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:19 pm

Cannae see it. Link no workin

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:39 pm

Ditto

Russell

Post by **joette** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:00 pm

So glad it's not me being a numpty!Can't see it either & I am very intrigued-working for a taxedermist?sideline for a butcher?

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:33 pm

Fixed?

Post by **joette** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 5:02 pm

Aye & it's definetly Bird Stuffer-what the heck???????

Post by **joette** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 5:10 pm

I had a wee google & it's definetly the forerunner of the Taxedermist.
Stuffed animals were all the rage in Victorian Britain&the Colonies.

Maisie · Post by **Maisie** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 12:17 pm

Thanks Joette and Andrew

I got out the credit card and checked the 1901 census and there he is - John Young aged 61 a self employed bird stuffer! Certainly makes a change from all those farm servants and miners. Obviously his son thought retired coalminer was more suitable as an occupation when he registered his mother's death in 1919 but his son-in-law had no such qualms when John himself died in 1921. I guess he just got too old or frail to go down the pit and had a hobby he could turn to use.

Maisie
Currently researching Young, Nicol, Scoular, Lugton, Seggie and Edmiston in Lanark and the Lothians

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:00 pm

Hi all
Maybe he stuffed all those poor canaries that fell off their perches in the mines?

Sorry - not very funny for the canaries....

Best wishes
Lesley