Mysterious occupation.

[Lakeslass]

In my family tree research I have come across the occupations of Cive Maker,Civer and Siever but can't find out the meaning of these words. Google tells me that I mean Silver, but I don't. Can any of my new found (very clever) friends help?

[kempie]

A Siever, or Sieve Maker (whatever the spelling) was a maker of sieves.

Siever was also applied to persons who sifted materials especially in the pottery industry (link) and probably others.

[Lakeslass]

Kempie. The terms Cive and Civer (and of course Siever) came from the Census. The Enumerators of the 19th Century had a very varied way of spelling, but I would have expected it to be "as it sounded". The occupations in the small township concerned were almost entirely woodworking and weaving - no reference at all to pottery as far as I can gather.

Having said all that I totally accept all that you say and enjoyed your link. With thanks - as always - for your help.

Eileen

[kempie]

You must consider that many English words beginning "ci" are sounded with an ess i.e. city, civil, cinema, so Cive and Civer are indeed sounded as they are spelled.

[kempie]

If you also look at the references to sieve maker here you will notice it is often combined with basket weaver because certain types of sieve were made from split cane or osier and used for winnowing i.e. separating chaff from grain.

[Lakeslass]

kempie; Thankyou again. Problem solved. I feel much happier now and wonder whether the sieves were similar to the swill baskets which are still made here in the Southern Lake District.

Read with interest the story of Morgan the Sieve Maker and that of Polly Nichols.

I must apologise to Google - it was Jeeves who insisted that I meant Silver.