Focus on 1851 Census

Since we've been talking about Amelia Harris of late, I thought we'd show you the actual copy of the 1851 census:

Harris Thomas 38 Head Snuffer Maker Birmingham, -
Harris Ann 39 Wife         Burnisher Birmingham, -
Harris Amelia 15 Daughter         Burnisher Birmingham, -
Harris Emma  6 Daughter         - Birmingham, -
Harris Eliza          1 Daughter -         Birmingham, -
Gill         Joseph  61 Widower         Snuffer Maker Wolverhampton,




I don't know if the widower, Joseph Gill was a boarder or Ann Harris' father.  It appears that all may have been involved in a cottage industry, working at home at their trade.  A burnisher is someone who polishes metal.  Birmingham at that time had a large brass industry.  I couldn't find any information if a snuffer maker was a work at home occupation or a factory type job.  

Thomas and Ann Harris had one more child, a son, in 1853.