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Occupations


As you are transcribing and translating documents, you will notice that many, if not all, documents contain the names of individuals, and next to their names is their occupation. To make your genealogical research easier, below is a Dutch list of occupations that you might come across while transcribing the genealogical documents.

Guild and apprenticeship records (Gilden registers)

A guild is an association of artisans and merchants who oversee the practice of their craft/trade in a particular area. The earliest types of guild formed as confraternities of tradesmen, normally operating in a single city and covering a single trade. Guilds kept records in order to show their legitimacy. Guild records date from 1240 to 1850 and usually contain: Names of skilled laborers, craftsmen, and apprentices, birth dates or ages, places of origin and residence, family relationships, occupations, and death dates. Some guild records list their members' families with marriage dates of couples and birth dates of their children.
The types of guild records that will find will be: Records of merchants, craftsmen, tradesmen, skilled laborers, and persons bound by indenture to serve others for a prescribed period to learn an art or trade. May includes civil, religious, hospital, and/or trade guilds.



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A

Aannemer: Building Contractor

Aardwerker: Earthenware/Pottery Maker

Advocaat: Lawyer

Ambachtsman: Artisan

Ambtenaar: Government Official

Apotheker: Pharmacist/Chemist

Apothekersbediende: Druggist Clerk

Arbeider: Workman

Arbeidster: Workwoman

B

Bakker: Baker

Barbier: Barber

Beddeschoonmaakster: Chambermaid

Bediende: Servant

Beeldhouwer: Sculptor

Begrafenis Baas: Undertaker

Bierbrouwer: Beer Brewer

Bijker: Bee Keeper

Binnenvaarder: Canal Boatman

Bleeker: Bleacher

Blikslager: Tinsmith

Bloemist: Florist

Boekbinder: Book Binder

Boekdrukker: Publisher

Boekhouder: Bookkeeper

Boerenknecht: Farmer's hand

Borstelmaker: Brush Maker

Bouwkundige: Architect

Broodbakker: Baker

C

Chirurg: Surgeon

Civil Ingenieur: Civil Engineer

Correspondent: Correspondence Clerk

D

Daglooner: Day Laborer

Dekker: Roofer

Dienstmeid: Farm Servant Girl

Dijkwerker: Dyke Worker

Docent: Teacher

Drukker: Printer

E

Elektricien: Electrician

Engineer: Engineer

Ergotherapeut: Occupational therapist

Editor: Editor

F

Fysiotherapeut: Physiotherapist

Fotograaf: Photographer

Financieel adviseur: Financial advisor

Farmaceutisch technicus: Pharmaceutical technician

G

Gareelmaker: Harness Maker

Gaardenier: Gardener

Geestelijke: Clergyman

Gemeente Ontvanger: Municipal Official

Geneesheer: Physician

Geweermaker: Gunsmith

Glasblazer: Glassblower

Grafdelver: Grave Digger

Graveur: Engraver

Grofsmid: Blacksmith

Gruttersknecht: Grocer's Hand

H

Herbergier: Innkeeper

Hoedenmaakster: Hat Maker

Hoefsmid: Blacksmith

Horlogemaker: Watchmaker

Houthakker: Wood-Cutter

Huisschilder: House Painter

Huisvrouw: Wife

Huurman: Hired Man

I

Ijzergieter: Foundry Man

Industrieel: Industrialist

Ingenieur: Engineer

Inlandsche: Peddler

J

Jager: Hunter

Journalist: Journalist, reporter

Jurist: Jurist, lawyer

Juwelier: Jeweler

K

Kaarsmaker: Candle-maker

Kaasman: Cheesemaker

Kapelaan: Curate

Kapper: Hairdresser

Karreman: Cartman

Kassier: Cashier

Kasteleijn: Inn-keeper

Katoenspinner: Cotton Spinner

Kelner: Waiter

Keukenmeid: Kitchen Maid

Kleedermaker: Tablecloth Maker

Kleermaker: Tailor

Kleijmaker: Claymaker

Klerk: Clerk

Klompenmaker: Wooden Shoemaker

Koekbakker: Confectioner

Koetsier: Coachman

Kofferbeslager: Luggage Smith

Koffiehuishouder: Cafe Proprietor

Kok: Cook

Koopman: Merchant

Koopvaarder: Merchantman

Koperslager: Coppersmith

Korendrager: Wheat Carrier

Kroeghouder: Bar Keeper

Kuijper: Cooper

Kunstschilder: Artist

L

Laarzenmaker: Bootmaker

Landbouwer: Farmer

Leemvormer: Clay Molder

Leerlooijer: Tanner

Leraar: Teacher

Liefdezuster: Nun

Likeurstoker: Distiller

Lintwerker: Linen Weaver

Lithograaf: Lithographer

Logementhouder: Innkeeper

M

Machinist: Engineer

Makelaar: Broker

Mandenmaker: Basket Maker

Marsdrager: Peddler

Matroos: Sailor

Metselaar: Bricklayer

Mineur: Miner

Modemaakster: Milliner

Modiste: Milliner

Molenaar: Miller

Molenmaker: Windmill Maker

N

Naaister: Seamstress

Natuurkundige: Physicist

Neuroloog: Neurologist

Notaris: Notary

O

Oppasser: Caretaker

Orgelmaker: Organmaker

P

Paarddriller: Horse Trainer

Pakkendrager: Delivery Man

Parapluiemaker: Umbrella Maker

Particulier: Private Person

Pastoor: Priest/Rector

Pachter: Tenant Farmer

Pettenmaker: Cap Maker

Ploeger: Plowman

Photograaf: Photographer

Planter: Planter

Politieagent: Policeman

Postbode: Mailman/Messenger

Pottenbakker: Potter/Ceramist

Pottenmakker: Pot Maker

Predikant: Minister

Priester: Catholic Priest

Professor: University Professor

Q

R

Radmaker: Wheelwright

Reitdekker: Roofer

Rijtuig: Harness Maker

S

Schilder: Painter

Scheepsmaker: Ship Builder

Schepen: Alderman

Schoenmaker: Shoemaker

Schoolmeester: Schoolmaster

Schoorsteenveger: Chimney Sweeper

Schriver: Writer

Secretaris: Secretary

Slager: Butcher

Smid: Blacksmith

Steenbakker: Brickmaker

Steenhouwer: Mason

Stoelenmaker: Chair Maker

Straatmaker: Street Paver

Stukadoor: Plasterer

T

Tapper: Tavern Owner

Tekenaar: Designer

Telegrafist: Telegrapher

Timmerlieden: Carpenter

Timmerman: Carpenter

Touwslager: Rope Maker

U

Uitgever: Publisher

Uitdekker: Roofer

Uurwerkmaker: Watchmaker/Clockmaker

V

Varensgezel: Sailor

Veearts: Veterinarian

Veloarbeider: Field Hand

Venter: Peddler

Verloskundige: Midwife

Verfmaker: Paintmaker

Verpleegster: Nurse

Visscher: Fisherman

Voerman: Coach Driver

W

Wagenmaker: Wagon Maker

Washvrouw: Washwoman

Werkman: Workman

Winkelier: Shopkeeper

X

Y

Z

Zeelieden: Sailors

Zeilmaker: Sail-maker

Zendeling: Missionary

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