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Occupation - Foot Racer - do you know what it mean

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Karen

Karen Report 14 Apr 2005 10:07

I have a rellie who was born in Canada and came over here from the US sometime between 1881 and 1891. On the 1891 census he states his occupation as a Foot Racer. I think I have found him on the 1881 in the US as a Mill Worker. Does anyone know what a Foot Racer was???? Any help would be much appreciated. Kx

Unknown

Unknown Report 14 Apr 2005 10:20

Hi Karen, Could it be something to do witha weaving loom?? I know that some part of a weaving loom is refered to as 'a racer'?? Was he in Carpet County??Worcestershire?? orLancs,York.Manchester?? kay.

Karen

Karen Report 14 Apr 2005 10:23

Hi, he was in Cumberland - Longtown when the census was taken. As far as I am aware there was no mills around that area - the closest would have been in Carlisle (approx 15 miles away) Kx

Jack

Jack Report 14 Apr 2005 10:27

Doesn't it just mean he was a runner/sprinter? There were meets where professionals competed. See www speedtracktales for an advert for a motorbike meet where there are also foot races taking place and a photo of a running track. Just saw your message about him being in Cumberland, so he could even have been a fell runner. Jack

Unknown

Unknown Report 14 Apr 2005 10:36

Was he in Army unit??? Kay.

Jack

Jack Report 14 Apr 2005 10:38

Just realized the website I gave you has not come out. It should be www(.)speedtracktales(.)co(.)uk. On the home page, click on 'Skip intro'. There is also a poster there which I didn't see at first listing various foot races from 120 yards upwards. Jack

Karen

Karen Report 14 Apr 2005 10:44

Cheers Jack, the runner would make more sense. I'm not sure whether he was in the army or not. His name was Charles Albert Colford born 1856 in either Canada or the US. Thanks for finding that site for me......... Kx

Unknown

Unknown Report 14 Apr 2005 10:47

Have just looked at old map and see in Longtown two railway lines run one to Gretna and other to Carlisle ,could it have anything to do with this.??have you looked at neighbours to see what they did .could have been samte but desribed different;; Pity they never knew us lot would come along 100+years later ;perhaps have been bit more Job descriptive?very inconciderate I call it!!!!!!!!! kay. Perhaps he ran in front of horse carriage with oil lamp???so many could fit;;

Jack

Jack Report 14 Apr 2005 10:50

No problem! I wonder how much they got for winning? Certainly nowhere near the mega bucks of today but it must have been sufficient to make some kind of living if you were good enough to be a professional. Jack