10 professions of our ancestors who have (almost) disappeared
Immerse yourself in the past with this short series of professions of our ancestors
©️Gallica - BnF
It is not uncommon to find the professions that our ancestors exercised in the archives. If for many of them the professions were rather common, discovering an unusual profession is one of the #genea genealogist!
Discover in this article, 10 professions of our ancestors who have disappeared or evolved from their time to the present day.
Co -lesser
No, your ancestor a retirement was not used to flatter and thus achieve its ends. He was actually Amadou manufacturer, a spongy substance from the flesh of certain fungi, used for its flammable power. It was used in the 18th century as a fire lighter in the lighters. You can also use it to stop hemorrhages, it is a substitute for tobacco to be a prosecuting and it is transformed today into a very flexible leather for the textile industry.
Cabin rental company
If it seems to hold its name well, this job is nonetheless unusual today. Indeed, at the beginning of the 20th century, the cabin rental company rented, on the beaches, horse -drawn cabins to take the bathers in the middle of the waves. Tracted in their cabin by a horse, the bathers approached the sea or the ocean more easily.
Lump
The bagottier was a man who made lugs. He was in charge of Transport light luggage for travelers to stations. He therefore helped to unload the trains arrested and to accompany people until they are released or vice versa.
Decreasing
Reading the meaning of this word, you suspect that it should not be an easy but no less useful job. The decreaser had first to clean, either The streets of the mud after the rain, either Shoes or clothes of passers -by. We found the decrees near the crossroads, bridges or other places of passage. They could also be itinerant.
Flask
Although we rather know the wooden birds that live only on caterpillars, being a loss was indeed a job. Indeed, it had to rid the trees and plants of the caterpillars.
Delegate
The delegate was, like the clogch with his hooves, a dice manufacturer. If some sources grant him the manufacture of sewing dice, delegating him mainly manufacturing dice to play. In bone, horn, wood, clay or wax, the delegate could also work ivory, silver, stone or gold to make more prestigious dice. Since the 13th century the marking of dice has been standardized, opposite faces must always be equal to 7.
Fidelier
The Fidelier was not renowned for his loyalty but by his Preparation of pasta and vermicelli, in Provence. Also called Vermicellier, we came to buy him pasta. There is a reference to vermicelliers in Father Goriot de Balzac. We eat pasta in France and then the 16th century.
Barrel
The barrel, or evening bailiff, was hired for the power of his voice. His role was to shout, at the door of shows or its employees, the names and qualities of the guests when they arrived. We give different tasks to the barrel, such as reciting the programming of shows to attract passers -by or even calling cars on horseback at the end of the performance.
A few years ago, Firmin (of his real name Michel Weber), became known on the TV sets thanks to his unusual profession: he is the last professional royal barker in France. He is the last descendant of a line of royal barks from 1780 to 1936 at the Court of England. A height for this ex-dog dog!
Cantor
There are cantors since Antiquity. Also called praise drivers, the cantors have the role of making the divine word heard by singing in churches. A large cantor will preside the singing in front of the choir and a underwear will have to answer and replace him.
Gastelier
Have you ever gone to a Gastelier? Well yes! They are actually The ancestors of pastry chefs. Le Gastelier (derived from GASTEL qui signifie gâteau en ancien français) n’est autre qu’un faiseur ou un marchand de gâteaux. Aujourd’hui, des pâtisseries emploient de nouveau ce terme sur les devants de leurs commerces, les GASTELiers sont-ils en passe de revenir à la mode ?