In the column named "occupation," the census taker included a few different kinds of information, all in French.
The first was the name of the occupation of the person.
A second type was information on where the person was working, for example "in Pennsylvania" or "in Old Town".
A third type is a generic "Engagé", which means working, almost always meaning outside of their parents' homes, sometimes in another household in the parish, sometimes outside of the parish.
There is a also category called "Protégé," which seems to mean that the person is working for the head of household in exchange for room and board.
Finally, for some individuals, all widows, there is information on how they are supporting themselves.
By far the largest occupation, 268 out of 402 persons for whom an occupation is listed, was "cultivateur," or farmer.
Locations:
à Pensylvanie : in Pennsylvania
aux E.U. : In the United States
à Old Town : In Old Town, Maine
Phrases:
Existence soutenue par la public et ses enfants : Existence supported by the public and by her children
soutenu par ses enfants : supported by her children
Vivant au depens de les enfants : supported by her children
Vivant de la bienfaisance publique : living on public charity
Occupations:
à rente = rentier : on pension
Bedeau : Church warden
Commerçant : merchant
Contracteur : contractor
Docteur : doctor
Eng. = Engagé(e) : employed
engagé ailleurs : employed elsewhere
engagé chez : employed at the home of
Forgeron : Blacksmith
Entrepreneur : businessman
Garçon : literally "boy," but often meaning unmarried male
Hotelliere : innkeeper
Gentilhomme : Gentleman
Instituteur / Institutrice : Schoolteacher (male/female)
Journalier : Day laborer
Menagère : Manager
Mtre. ouvrier : Master worker
Old Town : Working in Old Town, Maine
Pretre Curé : Priest, pastor
Protégé : working in household or for head of household for room and board
Rentier / Rentiere : Pensioner
Servant : Servant
Vieux garçon : "old boy," meaning bachelor, unmarried adult male
Voyageur : traveller
Return to 1872 St Bruno Census page
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Last revised 15 Apr 2007
© 2007, C.Gagnon