Thread: Ancestor has "Own Account"

I noticed on the 1901 census there is a column for Employer, Worker or Own Account.



An ancestor of mine is listed as a bookseller, own account working from home.



Do you think I can assume own account simply means self employed?



Thanks

Elanter

Hi elanter - yes it does

Gillian

Thanks for you replies.



Pity my ancestor's name wasn't Foyle or Waterstone.



I thought it was interesting that the servants had nothing in the work column when you consider how hard they actually did worked. I've a few in my tree, I'll have to have a look and see if it's the norm. I also wonder how much income one would have needed in 1901 to live reasonably well on their own means.



I recently came across another new entry, a widowed ancestor was listed as an Annuitant under Rank, Profession or Occupation in 1851. I was quite surprised really, as the family seemed to be on very low incomes, ag labs etc.and wouldn't have thought they would have had the extra money to pay for an annuity, but perhaps her husband was forward thinking enough to save her from the workhouse. I doubt if I'd be able to find any more information though.



Thanks again

Elanter