Help With Archaic Occupation Abbreviations in Census Records
What in the world does an “NG” do for a living?
Today, I looked at a copy of the 1900 Lowndes, Valdosta, GA census record for an ancestor: Thomas Jones. In the record, his occupation is listed as “NG.” Nowhere else on this page is this term used. In the 1880 census he lists himself as a farmer; in the 1910 census he’s a “butcher.” Ugh– what in the world is an NG?
I did what any good researcher these days would do. I immediately posted my question on Facebook! The Georgia Genealogy Network, to be specific. Within two minutes I had my answer.
A fellow researcher, Alison Marie, informed me that NG would stand for “Not Given” and included the following link to a listing of occupations from the 1900 census in Greene county, Arkansas: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ar/county/greene/1900abb.htm. As I don’t know who originally produced this document, I can’t give credit other than this link back to it and my appreciation for it.
Here was my response to her:
“Aahhh— yes, I’m sure that is correct. Though I’m bummed. I don’t like the answer “not given” !! It makes sense though– in 1900, his family moved to Valdosta due to a fire destroying his store in another part of the county. He had just moved there! Thanks for the help.”
Isn’t Facebook amazing! It’s a great research tool.
Well, since I learned something from the document she provided, I thought that I should share it for others to learn from as well. I’m sure that many of these abbreviations apply to other census years across the country.
Following is the information listed in the doc.
Greene County, Arkansas, 1900 Federal Census Abbreviations
-A-
A Aunt
AB Abstractor
AD Adopted
AH At Home
AP Assistant Postmaster
-B-
B Brother
BA Barber
BC Baker
BK Bookkeeper
BL Brother in Law
BM Brickmaker(occupation col )
Black Male. (race/sex col )
BR Boarder
BS Blacksmith
BU Butcher
BY Buyer
-C-
C Cousin
CA Clerk/Cashier/Messenger
CC County Clerk
CK Cook
CL Collector
CM City Marshall
CP Cooper
CR Carpenter/Contractor
CS Commissioner Streets
CT County Treasurer
-D-
D Daughter/Divorced
DC Deputy County Clerk
DD Dentist
DL Daughter in Law
DR Druggist
DS Deputy Sheriff
-E-
E Engineer/Fireman(RS )
ED Editor
EL Electrician
-F-
F Farmer
FA Father
FI Father in Law
FL Farm Laborer
FM Fireman
FO Factory Operator
FS Fisherman
FT Fortune Teller
-G-
G Gardener
Go Grand Daughter
GNI Grand Mother
GS Grand Son
-H-
H Head of Household
HB Half Brother
HK Hotel/Boarding House Mgr.
HR Hunter
HS Half Sister
-I-
I Immigrated
IA Insurance Agent
-J-
J Jeweler
JA Jailer
JO Jockey
JP Justice of Peace
-K-
KH Keeping House/Domestic/House Work
-L-
L Laborer
LA Laundress
LG Logger
LL Lawyer
LS Laborer/Sawmill
-M-
M Married
MA Mahinest
MC Mechanic
MD Doctor
MI Miller
ML Mother in Law
MM Match Maker
MN Minister
MO Mother
MR Merchant
MS Mason (brick/stone )
MU Musician
MW Maid
MY Mayor
-N-
N Nurse
NE Nephew
NG Not Given
NI Niece
-O-
O Orphant
OC Oculist
OS Owner/Sawmill
-P-
P Peddler
PA Pauper
PB Plumber
PG Photographer
PH Pool Hall ( owner/optr )
PL Policeman/Watchman/Ect
PM Postmaster
PN Printer
PO Porter
PR Partner
PS Prisoner
PT Painter
-R-
R Rea1 Estate Agent
RD Mail Rider
RS Restaurant
RR Railroad(all employees)
-S-
S Son or Single
SA Salesman
SC Scavenger
SD Step Daughter
SE Seamstress/Dressmaker
SF Sheriff
SH Shoemaker
SI Sister
SK Stockdealer/Livery Sta.
SL Sister/Son in Law
Sht Step brother
SP Stenographer
SR Saloon Keeper
SS Step Son
ST Student
SV Sereant
SX Sexton
-T-
T Teacher
TA Tailor
TC Timber Emp. /Lumber Dlr.
TG Telegraph Employee
TL Telephone Employee
TG Teamster
TN Metal Worker
TR Trader
TT Trust Agent /Banker
TU Typographer
-U-
U Uncle
-W-
W Wife/Widow/Widower
WA Warehouse Agent
WD Ward
WE Weaver
WF White Female
WM White Male
WR Waiter
WW Wagon Wright
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ar/county/greene/1900abb.htm
Thanks Julie, nice chart to have.
This is awesome! Thanks Julie!!!