Master Hairdresser

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 1:14 pm

When my husband's g grandfather David Mitchell married Agnes Speed in September 1890 he gave his occupation as a Hairdresser (Master). On the 1891 census he is a Carpet Printer.

I always assumed that Hairdressing had something to do with carpets

especially as the groom on the same page in the register had the same occupation.

As a few of you know the birth of David Mitchell is one of my biggest brick walls. I was reviewing my info today as I plan to go to Dundee for a rummage and now I'm wondering if he really was a hairdresser and nothing to do with carpets.

Opinions please.

Regards,
Annette

Post by **SarahND** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 3:21 pm

Hi Annette,
I'm sure you've looked more than I have, but I can't find Hairdressing having anything to do with carpets. Seems to have been more like wig making, which is similar to making a carpet for the head, I would think! So perhaps it wasn't so odd to go from one to the other...

Did the other groom on the marriage page remain a hairdresser for the 1891 census, or did he, too, start doing something with carpets?

All the best,
Sarah

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 3:41 pm

SarahND wrote:Hi Annette,
I'm sure you've looked more than I have, but I can't find Hairdressing having anything to do with carpets. Seems to have been more like wig making, which is similar to making a carpet for the head, I would think! So perhaps it wasn't so odd to go from one to the other...

Did the other groom on the marriage page remain a hairdresser for the 1891 census, or did he, too, start doing something with carpets?

All the best,
Sarah

Hi Sarah,

Funnily enough today is the first time I've ever thought of looking for him (in all the years I've known this) and in 1891 he is a Hairdresser.

So now I'm thinking my David was indeed a Hairdesser.

(wonder if they kept records). He's a real mystery man but Ill track him down one day!!

Best wishes,
Annette

Post by **SarahND** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 3:55 pm

nelmit wrote:He's a real mystery man but Ill track him down one day!!

I'm sure you will! Sounds like you're in for a lovely day in Dundee, poring over the records!

Regards,
Sarah

Ann In the UK · Post by **Ann In the UK** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:26 pm

Hairdressers serve an apprenticeship. And, in the old days, they were indentured. If he's trained, and became a master, he could have belonged to the Hairdressers Guild (established 1882). I don't know where the Scottish records are kept, or indeed if they are kept, but it could be worth looking around for them,
Ann

EDIT: Had a quick google, you might want to ask here :

The Guild of Hairdressers

Archway House, Langdale Road
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
United Kingdom
S71 1AQ

info@hairguild.co.uk
+44 (0) 1226 786 555
+44 (0) 1226 786 555

Post by **emanday** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:06 pm

I've got a couple of Hairdressers as well and they appear to have been involved in the preparation of jute for weaving.

My father was a carpet weaver and I'm sure he once told me that, when he first went to work for Templetons in Glasgow, they still used the term "hairdresser" in relation to the jute.

Ann In the UK · Post by **Ann In the UK** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:12 pm

Wig makers and carpet weavers used similar tools and skills (or used to!). That these people may have switched between the two isn't as surprising as you might think.

Hairdressers right into the 1980s were taught the art/skill of wigmaking. Not sure it's still the case now, but it was certainly a trade tradition going back into Victorian times til then.

And I think I'm right in saying that jute (kind of like the sort they use for backing carpets) was used as the basis for early wigs. (it's what they attached the hair to). Possibly why a wig is often referred to as a rug

Ann

Post by **emanday** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:15 pm

Ann In the UK wrote:Possibly why a wig is often referred to as a rug

Good One

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:02 pm

emanday wrote:
Ann In the UK wrote:Possibly why a wig is often referred to as a rug
Good One

I searched for Hairdresser in the 1891 census at Ancestry and there was only 137 Hairdressers in the whole of Angus.

Found this guy while I was looking at 1901 and he isn't helping to make my mind up -

Name: David Fairweather
Age: 14
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1887
Relationship: Son
Father's Name: Adam B
Mother's Name: Jane A
Gender: Male
Where born: Blairgowrie, Perthshire
Registration Number: 282/2
Registration district: St Mary
Civil parish: Dundee
County: Angus
Address: 4 Lindsay St
Occupation: Apprentice Hairdresser Bootmaker & Church Officer

Regards,
Annette

Post by **SarahND** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:28 pm

nelmit wrote: Occupation: Apprentice Hairdresser Bootmaker & Church Officer

Looks like hairdressing was the gateway to just about any profession!

Sarah