Differing Responses to an Industrialising Economy - eTheses ...

significant presence of needlemakers in the eighteenth century, who may otherwise have
gone unnoticed. I hope my analysis and observations will be informative for those
interested in the occupational structure of certain parishes in the study area and also for
those interested in the development of different industries or trades.
Although it was not possible in this study, further research could take the analysis
back before 1660 using probate, or if suitable, marriage licences. Another possible line for
research would be to bring the analysis forward using the censuses after 1841. 2
Although
space does not allow analysis of later censuses here, Appendix 11 compares results from
the baptism registers 1813-40 with the 1851 census for parishes in the Alcester Registration
District.
The discussion in Chapters 4 to 7 was organised according to my geographical
zones, but it may be enlightening here to pull information together here for the whole study
area.
Table 8.1 Occupational structure (primary, secondary and tertiary) from probate data in
The Whole Study Area 1660-1858 (as % of males with known occupations)
1660-
1858
1660-
1699
1700-
1749
1750-
1799
1800-
1858
Primary (including all labourers) 59.1 65.7 61.2 57.5 52.3
Primary (without labourers) 55.0 61.8 58.7 52.1 47.1
Secondary 30.2 27.4 30.2 31.7 31.7
Tertiary 10.6 7.0 8.5 10.9 16.0
Total males with known occupations (n) 3033.5 723.5 912.5 562 835.5
Taking probate data for the whole study area we can see the steady decline of the
primary sector and the growth of tertiary. The secondary sector was already well
established in Period A, but in this source it showed little growth after Period B. 3
2 At present such research would be possible to 1911.
3 For a comparison of the occupational structure in probate in the different zones see Appendix 26.
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