Corporation Scavenger

[PhilD]

I am reseaching my family tree and in the 1901 census one of my ancestors occupation is listed as a "Corporation Scavenger". Does anyone know what this job entailed? 
 

[willow74]

'fraid not but if you go onto www.genesreunited.com and then onto the message boards , then records office, you can ask your question to History experts. They will give you an answer immediately. 

Also if you are stuck at 1901 they can help to get you back even further.

[PhilD]

Thanks Willow74. I'll give that a go.

[PhilD]

It appears to have been a road sweeper.

[sammy snake]

This job was featured on a TV program a while back, 'The Worst Jobs In History', with Tony Robinson.

 

Basically it was someone who was employed by the council to go out and collect (scavenge) any old bits of rubbish that could be used for something else.  This even included dog poo, which apparently was used in a tannery to treat the animal hides before they bacame leather!

[patriciago]

Hi Phil I too have just found one of mine was a Boro Scavenger on the census. I too am confused about this reference. If you find out can you post the answer on here please? So will I . Mine was in Lambeth where was yours? Pat

[PhilD]

Hi Pat, I think Sammy's answer is corrrect. It appears recycling is not just a modern idea. My ancestor worked in Liverpool, where the council was known as the Liverpool Corporation. If Lambeth is classed as a borough I guess it was the same job.