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Does anyone know what a Storekeeper (Luckster) is ?

Louisa

master brummie
One of my ancestors lived in Holt Street Duddeston and on the 1901 Census her occupation is given as a 'Shopkeeper (Luckster)' working at home.

I have never heard of this term and a 'Google' search has no answers. Does anyone else have any ideas?

Louisa
 
I think you will find it's meant to be 'Huckster', these were shops that sold just about everything from food to household goods. My Gran had one in Ickneild Square Ladywood.

Chris/Pom :angel:
 
Thanks Chris, that is the answer.

So obvious when I took a closer look. The way the word is written could be a small h and not L as I thought. It all makes sense now.

The amount of local Birmingham and general factual knowledge that the members on this site have between them and their willingness to help and share this with others never fails to amaze me.

Someone always knows the answer.

Thanks again Chris
 
I thought the term was familiar, so I looked it up. Item 2 is this meaning.

huckster Noun
1. a person who uses aggressive methods of selling
2. Now rare a person who sells small articles or fruit in the street [probably from Middle Dutch hoekster]
Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2004, 2006
 
From A Dictionary of Old Trades, Titles and Occupations.


Huckster.. Travelling salesman in small items, also a woman street seller of ale who was often also a prostitute.
 
Hi Mike-g what you trying to say here about my Great Gran and Gramps LOL ... They did sell Beer /Ale in their shop though and they had converted their front room as the shop.
Like a lot of words over the years some of the original meanings got lost and could cover anything with the slightest resemblance.
Just think of a few of todays words and what they meant to us as a kid and what they now mean ... LOL

Chris/ Pom :angel:
 
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