Help reading occupation please

[Muggins in Sussex]

In 1901, Katie Ellwood was a "ladies' help".

But I cannot make out what she was doing in 1891, aged 15

RG12; Piece: 3212; Folio 141; Page 31; GSU roll: 6098322.

http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec/?htx=view&r=5538&dbid=6598&iid=LANRG12_3212_3214-0296&fn=Katie&ln=Ellwood&st=r&ssrc=&pid=22117157


Can anyone help, please?

Also her father, John was a pianoforte-maker and organmaster. Does anyone know whether the family was likely to have been wealthy?

Thanks

[kiterunner]

Electro-plater + Burnisher.

[Georgette]

It looks like ? plater+burnisher

[Georgette]

Just seen Kate's answer and it does look like Electro plater+burnisher

[kiterunner]

Also her father, John was a pianoforte-maker and organmaster. Does anyone know whether the family was likely to have been wealthy?

Thanks


He was "employed" rather than "employer" and his 15 year old daughter went out to work, so I don't think he would have been exactly wealthy, but it looks as though they had a house of at least 5 rooms to themselves, so they weren't poor either.

[Muggins in Sussex]

Thank you, Georgette and Kite :)


Poor little Katie.

One of Katie's sisters was, according to rumour, quite wealthy by the time she was 25.. so I guess it wasn't inherited wealth.

Thank you

[Uncle John]

At least she wasn't at the electroplating for too long. It would have shortened her life considerably.

[Muggins in Sussex]

Yes, UJ...I still feel very sorry for her


Does anyone know what electroplating entailed ? It sounds horrid

[Uncle John]

Take a large vat of acid, dangle the brass candlesticks etc. from one set of electrodes and a lump of silver from the other electrodes. Turn on the current and Bob's your uncle. Complete with fumes given off by the chemical reaction.

[Muggins in Sussex]

Thanks UJ

But how sad...and I suppose Katie was just one of many children doing this....