Norway Occupations
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Occupations were a measure of social status. Some trades were viewed as more prestigious than others. For example, goldsmiths had more prestige than shoemakers. Many trades, such as butchers, tanners, shoemakers, tailors, and others were organized into guilds, which were in charge of training apprentices and regulating a trade's practice in an area. Guilds were usually established in each city. Guild records include lists of members, information on journeymen practicing in the town, marriages of journeymen, and advancements from the rank of apprentice to journeyman and from journeyman to master craftsman. In addition, contracts between masters and parents of apprentices may be included.
There are records not often used that can be of great help and interest for the researcher, and they are:
Contents
Borgerskap (citizenship) records in Norway[edit | edit source]
A new idea, that resulted in little used record show up in Oslo during the 1300’s.
A man could apply for “borgerskap” in a specific city, and if granted would be given certain rights, as well as certain responsibilities. As a “borger” or citizen he would be able to set up shop in town; as a merchant, skipper, master craftsman with apprentices etc.
He would also be expected to pay taxes and accept different city assignments from the government.
The word “borgerskap” can have many different meanings. In modern times we talk about having citizenship in a country, or the word can refer to a specific social group in society; “borgerskap” versus the working class or nobility.
In earlier years the word “borgerskap” describes the judicial relationship a person had with the city he lived in, (“borgerskap” was not made available to women in earlier times).
In the 1600’s it became required that the new “borger” swore allegiance to the King and city, and paid a licensing fee. He was then recorded in the city’s “borgerbok”, and given a “borgerbrev” as a proof that he was a “borger”.
The eldest known “borgerbok” today is from mid 1551-1751, and is found in Bergen city.
The “borgerbøker” can be very helpful to the genealogist, especially during the time period before the parish registers were kept.
Information about a person’s name, birth place, address, and farm name if connected to a farm is given. His particular job is also listed. Used with other genealogical records it can be very helpful to researchers, adding information not usually found in church records.
Research use: Tradesmen are often hard to find, trace and identify. These records are very helpful to locate these persons. Pre-1750 records would be of value in cases where other records are not available.
Record type: Records of the granting of local citizenship and citizens rights. Local citizenship was necessary to conduct business in most cities.
Time period: Mid-1400s to present; most exist from the time of the industrial revolution in the early 1800s.
Contents: Name of applicant for citizenship, occupations, age, place of birth, name of sponsor.
Location: Regional archives [Statsarkiv].
Percentage in Family History Library: It is estimated that about 50% of the pre-1800 have been acquired. Many of the later rolls have also been acquired.
Population coverage: 10%.
Reliability: Good.[1]
Norway Occupations
- Artisans
- Carpentry
- Civil Service
- Clergy
- Farming
- Fishing
- Forestry
- Medicine
- Merchandising
- Military
- Mining
- Pharmacy
- Shipping
- Smithing
- Tailoring
| Norwegian occupations: | ' |
A[edit | edit source] |
|
| A/S | Abb. for aksjeselskap or share company |
| Aar | year |
| Adel | nobility |
| Adelsmann | nobleman |
| Adjunct | secondary school teacher |
| Advokat | lawyer, solicitor |
| Agent | representative, commercial agent |
| Agronom | graduate of an agricultural college |
| Aksjonær | shareholder |
| Almisse | charity or alms |
| Almisselem | charity recipient, poor person |
| Almueskolen | public school |
| Amanuens | assistant |
| Amme | nurse |
| Amt | administrative district / county |
| Amtmann | county governor, county administrator |
| Apotek | pharmacy |
| Apoteker | pharmacist |
| Abr | abb. for “arbeider” or laborer |
| Arbeidskarl | laborer |
| Artillerist | soldier |
| Assessor | assistant judge |
B[edit | edit source] |
|
| Br. | Abb. for “bruker” or farmer |
| B.F. | abb. for “barnefader” or the child’s father |
| Baadsmand | boats man |
| Bager | baker |
| Bager dreng | baker apprentice |
| Bager/baker mester | master baker |
| Bagwe/baker svend | baker journeyman |
| Bager/baker | baker |
| Bager/baker lærling | baker assistant |
| Baneformann | foreman at the railroad |
| Banevokter | length man |
| Bankbogholder | bank accountant |
| Bergarbeider | mine worker |
| Bergverksarbeider | mine worker |
| Bestyrer | manager |
| Besøkende | visitor |
| Betjent | assistant, servant |
| Betler | beggar |
| Bibliotekar | librarian |
| Biskop | bishop |
| Blikkenslager | tinsmith |
| Bog/bok trykker | book printer |
| Bog/bok binder | book binder |
| Bokhandler | book seller |
| Bokholder | bookkeeper |
| Bonde | farmer |
| Borgerkrig soldat | soldier in the civil war |
| Borgemester | mayor |
| Brannmann | fireman |
| Brennevinsbrenner | distiller of spirits |
| Brendevins handler | liquor dealer |
| Bruger/bruker | farmer/ user of a farm |
| Brygge arbeider | dock worker |
| Brygger | brewer |
| Bryggeri arbeider | brewery worker |
| Budeie | milkmaid |
| Bundtmager/maker | furrier |
| Bureiser | settler |
| Butikk dame | sales woman in a store |
| Butikk sjef | store manager |
| Bygde folk | country people, villagers |
| Byggmester | master builder, contractor |
| Bygnings arbeider | construction worker |
| Bygsel mann | leaseholder |
| Bødkemester | master cooper, barrel maker |
| Bøksel mand | lease holder |
| Bønder | farmers |
| Børsemager/maker | gunsmith |
| Båd/båtbygger | ship builder |
C[edit | edit source] |
|
| Cammerrrad | chamber councilor |
| Cancelliraad | same as above |
| Cand. Juris | Bachelor of Laws |
| Cautionister | witnesses, sponsors |
| Contorist | secretary, office worker |
| Copist | transcriber |
D[edit | edit source] |
|
| Dagsarbeider | day laborer |
| Danne kvinde | gentlewoman |
| Dannemann | gentleman |
| Degn | pariah clerk |
| Diakon | deacon, male nurse |
| Dosent | associate professor |
| Dommer | judge |
| Domprost | cathedral dean |
| Dragon | light cavalryman |
| Dreng | boy, farm hand |
| Dug/duk mager/maker | sail maker |
| Dyrlege | veterinarian |
E[edit | edit source] |
|
| Enroullert | enrolled |
| Eier | owner |
| Ekspeditør | shopkeeper |
| Elektriker | electrician |
| Embedsmand | civil servant |
| Emigrant | emigrant |
| Emissær | travelling lay preacher |
F[edit | edit source] |
|
| Faarehyrde | shepherd |
| Fabrikk arbeider | factory worker |
| Farger | dyer |
| Fattig folk | poor folk |
| Fattiglem | pauper |
| Fehandler | person in the cattle business |
| Felemaker | fiddle maker |
| Felespiller | fiddle player |
| Fell maker | rug maker |
| Fenrik | ensign, second lieutenant |
| Fergemann | ferryman |
| Fisker | fisherman |
| Fiskehandler | fish merchant |
| Fjøsstell | dairy management |
| Flaademand | log driver |
| Flaadmand | ferry man |
| Flødnings arbeider | log floating worker |
| Fmd. | “føderaadsmand” or pensioner |
| Fogd | bailiff, sheriff |
| Forbryter | criminal |
| Forettningsmand | businessman |
| Forfatter | writer, author |
| Forhen. | previous |
| Forhenværende | previous |
| Forlover | best man, sponsor |
| Forlovede | fiancé |
| Forløftningsmænd | guarantors |
| Forman | foreman, supervisor |
| Formynder | guardian |
| Forpakter | leaseholder |
| Forvalter | manager |
| Fotograf | photographer |
| Fraktmand | cargo handler, transporter |
| Frisør dame | hairdresser |
| Fullmektig | head clerk, agent |
| Fylkesmand | county governor |
| Fylkesrådmand | county commissioner |
| Fyrbøter | stoker, lighthouse keeper |
| Fyrmester | lighthouse boss |
| Færdesmand | traveler |
| Føderaad | pensioner |
| Føderaadsmand, føderaadskone | owned the farm before adult children take over |
| Førnemde | the former, previously mentioned |
| Fører | pilot, guide, operator |
| Fårehyrde | shepherd |
G[edit | edit source] |
|
| Grdbr., selveier | farmer, owner |
| Gaar i dagleie | working as a daylaborer |
| Gaar paa skole | in school |
| Gaardbruger/bruker | farmer |
| Gaard far | head of household |
| Gardsfolk | farmers |
| Gartner | gardener |
| Garver | tanner |
| Garver svend | tanner apprentice |
| General løyntnant | lieutenant general |
| Gevorben | enlisted |
| Gjestgiver | innkeeper |
| Gjeter | shepherd |
| Gjetergutt | shepherd boy |
| Gjørtler | brazier, brass smith |
| Godseier | estate owner |
| Guldsmed | Goldsmith |
| Graver | sexton, grave digger |
| Grenader | grenadier, infantryman |
| Grenselos | border pilot |
| Grossist | wholesaler |
| Grovsmed | blacksmith |
| Grube arbeider | miner |
| Grunnlegger | founder |
| Gråsten arbeider | stonecutter |
| Gårdsarbeider | farmer, field hand |
| Gårdsbestyrer | farm manager |
| Gårdsfolk | farm people, owners or tenants |
| Gårds gutt | farm boy |
| Gårdsbruker | farmer |
| Gårdmann | farm owner |
H[edit | edit source] |
|
| Haandværker | tradesman |
| Hammersmed | hammer smith |
| Handelsbestyrer | shop manager |
| Handelsbetjent | salesman, shop assistant |
| Handelsfuldmægtig | business agent |
| Handelsmand | merchant, trader |
| Hanskemaker | glove maker |
| Hattemaker | hat maker |
| Heradsskriver | district taxation registrar |
| Hjelpepleier | enrolled nurse |
| Hjulmaker | wheelwright |
| Husbestyrinde | housekeeper |
| Huseier | homeowner |
| Hushjelp | housemaid |
| Husholderske | housekeeper |
| Husmand | cottager, tenant farmer, crofter |
| Husmand med jord | cottager who rented a small plot of land |
| Husfader | head of household |
| Husmoder | house wife |
| Hustru | wife |
| Høker | small grocer/ shopkeeper, huckster |
| Høvedsmand | fishing boat master, shack master |
| Håndlanger | assistant, hodman |
| Håndverker | tradesman |
| Håndsverksvend | journeyman |
I[edit | edit source] |
|
| Inderst | renter, lodger on a farm |
| Indehaver | owner |
| Indsitter | renter, lodger |
| Ingeniør | engineer |
| Innvandrer | immigrant |
| Isskjauer | dockhand |
| Isskjærer | ice cutter |
J[edit | edit source] |
|
| Jaegere | elite troops of the army |
| Jeger | hunter, trapper |
| Jeger | light infantry soldier |
| Jernbane arbeider | railroad worker |
| Jernbane fuldmektig | managing clerk at the railroad |
| Jernverks arbeider | mine worker |
| Jord arbeider | farm worker, field worker |
| Jordbruker | farmer |
| Jordbruksarbeider | farm hand, farm worker |
| Jordeier | landowner, landed proprietor |
| Jordløs husmand | cottager without land |
| Jordmor | midwife |
| Jordrotten | landowner |
| Journalist | journalist |
| Jungmand | ordinary seaman |
| Jurist | lawyer |
| Justis | justice, administration of justice |
| Jæger | hunter |
| Jætergut | shepherd boy |
| Jøkel | glacier |
K[edit | edit source] |
|
| retired man living on his own farm with accommodations and support | |
| Kadet | cadet (army) |
| Kapelan | curate, cleric who assists the priest, deacon |
| Kaptein | captain |
| Karetmaker | coach builder |
| Kasserer | treasurer |
| Kaveringsmand | best man |
| Kemner | town treasurer |
| Kgl. Fuldmægtig | royal attorney |
| Kongelig fuldmægtig | royal attorney |
| Kirkesanger | church singer |
| Kirkeverge | church warden |
| Kirurg | surgeon |
| Kjelearbeider | boiler worker |
| Kjæreste | lover, sweetheart, friend |
| Kjøpmand | merchant |
| Kjørekarl | driver of a horse |
| Klokker | bell ringer, parish clerk, sexton |
| Kommune arbeider | local government worker |
| Konditor | confectioner |
| Konduktør | railway conductor |
| Kone | wife |
| Konsulent | consultant |
| Kontor betjent | office clerk |
| Kontorfuldmægtig | head clerk |
| Kontormand | office clerk |
| Kontrollør | inspector, supervisor |
| Kranfører | crane operator |
| Kreaturstel | cattle herder |
| Krigsfange | prisoner of war |
| Krigsminister | minister of war |
| Kræmmer | shopkeeper |
| Krøpling | cripple |
| Kuldbrenner | charcoal burner |
| Kuldhugger | coal miner |
| Kuldhandler | coal dealer |
| Kurvmaker | basket maker |
| Kusk | coachman, teamster |
| Kvartermester | chief petty officer |
| Kystvakt | coastguard |
| Kæmner | town treasurer |
| Kårfolk | retired, elderly couple living on their farm and receiving support |
L[edit | edit source] |
|
| Lagerarbeider | warehouse laborer |
| Lagrettsmand | court member |
| Landhandler | rural store owner |
| Landsfogd | county police commissioner |
| Lasaron | tramp, bum |
| Laugverge | widow’s guardian |
| Legdekjerring | woman on welfare |
| Legdekall | man on welfare |
| Legdslem | welfare recipient |
| Leieboer | tenant |
| Leilending | leaseholder, tenant farmer |
| Lekmand | lay preacher |
| Lensmand | sheriff |
| Likrøver | grave robber |
| Livsarving | heir, issue |
| Livsfange | life prisoner |
| Logerende | lodger |
| Losoldermand | pilot master (ship) |
| Lutbrukar | using a part of a farm |
| Læregutt | apprentice |
| Lærer | teacher |
| Lærerinde | female teacher |
| Lærling | apprentice, assistant |
| Løitnant | lieutenant |
| Løsarbeider | day laborer |
| Løskarl | free hand, takes any job that comes along |
| Låsesmed | locksmith |
M[edit | edit source] |
|
| Magistrate | town administrator, magistrate |
| Major | major, squadron leader |
| Maler | painter |
| Malersvend | painter apprentice |
| Malmlaster | ore loader |
| Mandskap | crew |
| Marine | navy |
| Maskinist | engineer |
| Masovn arbeider | blast furnace worker |
| Matros | sailor |
| Medeier | part owner |
| Medhjelper | assistant, helper |
| Megler | mediator, negotiator |
| Mekaniker | mechanic |
| Menig | soldier with rank of private |
| Messing smed | brazier, brass smith |
| Mester | master of a trade |
| Mestermand | executioner |
| Militær | military |
| Mine arbeider | mine worker |
| Minister | priest |
| Misjonær | missionary |
| Montør | fitter |
| Murarbeider | brick layer |
| Murer | brick layer |
| Musiker | musician |
| Mægler | mediator, negotiator |
| Møbel snekker | furniture maker/carpenter |
| Møller | miller |
| Møllearbeider | worker at a mill |
N[edit | edit source] |
|
| Nabo | neighbor |
| Nyder almisse | receives charity |
| Nyder vildkaar | person receiving pension paid by new owner of the farm |
O[edit | edit source] |
|
| Oberst | colonel |
| Odelsberettiget | freehold right |
| Odelsbonde | freeholder, allodialist |
| Odelsgutt | oldest son with right to inherit the farm |
| Odelsjente | oldest daughter with inheritance right |
| Ombudsmand | trade-union representative |
| Omflakkende handelsmand | traveling salesman |
| Omgangs skolelærer | circuit teacher |
| Omreisende handelskarl | traveling salesman |
| Omvandrende | persons moving from place to place |
| Oppsitter | leaseholder, tenant farmer, occupant |
| Oppsynsmand | supervisor, inspector, warden |
| Optiker | optician |
| Ordfører | mayor |
P[edit | edit source] |
|
| Pakkhus arbeider | ware house worker |
| Parykk maker | wig maker |
| Pastor | vicar, minister |
| Pensjonær | boarder |
| Pensionist | retired person |
| Permitert | be on leave |
| Pige/Pike | girl, maid, unmarried female |
| Plate arbeider | sheet metal worker |
| Pleieassistant | nursing assistant |
| Politiker | politician |
| Postbud | postman, mail carrier |
| Pottemaker | potter |
| Praest | priest |
| Preses | president, chairman |
| Privat lærer | private teacher |
| Prost/provst | senior rector, dean |
| Pølsemaker | sausage maker |
Q[edit | edit source] |
|
| Quinde | female person |
| Quindemenneske | female person |
R[edit | edit source] |
|
| Radiorelegrafist | radio operator |
| Redactør | chief editor |
| Rector | head teacher |
| Reparatør | repairman, mender |
| Representant | representative |
| Repslager | ropemaker |
| Revisor | auditor |
| Ridder | knight |
| Ritmester | cavalry captain |
| Roarskarl | oarsman |
| Rydningsmand | pioneer, original clearer of land |
| Rytter | cavalryman |
| Rørlegger | plummer |
| Rådmand | councilman |
S[edit | edit source] |
|
| Sadelmagerlærling | saddle maker’s apprentice |
| Sagarbeider | miller |
| Sagbruksarbeider | sawmills worker |
| Sagmester | master saw miller |
| Sakfører | attorney |
| Salmaker | saddle maker |
| Seildukmaker | canvas maker |
| Seilmaker | sail maker |
| Sekretær | secretary |
| Selveier | owner, freeholder |
| Sersjant | sergeant |
| Sildearbeider | herring processing |
| Sjauer | dockhand, long shore man |
| Sjef | chief, manager |
| Sjøfarende | seafaring, sailor |
| Sjøfolk | seaman |
| Sjøkadett | naval cadet |
| Sjøkaptein | captain on a vessel |
| Sjåfør | chauffer, driver |
| Skarpretter | hangman, executioner |
| Skarpskytter | sharpshooter |
| Skattefut | tax collector |
| Skipsfører | ship’s captain |
| Skieløber | skier, infantry soldier on skies |
| Skifterettsdommer | probate judge |
| Skipper | skipper |
| Skipsbygger | shipbuilder |
| Skipstømmermand | carpenter onboard a ship, carpenter building ship |
| Skoemager | shoemaker |
| Skogsarbeider | lumberjack, logger, forest worker |
| Skogfut | forest bailiff |
| Skogridder | forest manager |
| Skogvokter | forester |
| Skoleholder | schoolmaster, teacher |
| Skolemester | schoolmaster |
| Skomager | shoemaker |
| Skomagerdreng | shoemaker apprentice |
| Skomagersvend | shoemaker journeyman |
| Skrabhandler | scrap dealer |
| Skraeder | tailor |
| Skreppekar | peddler |
| Skriver | writer, scribe |
| Skrædder | tailor |
| Skræddermester | master tailor |
| Skurekone | cleaning lady |
| Slagter | butcher |
| Slakter | butcher |
| Smedlærling | blacksmith apprentice |
| Smedmester | master blacksmith |
| Småbruker | a farmer of a small farm |
| Snedker | carpenter |
| Sogneprest | parish priest |
| Soldat | soldier, usually an infantryman |
| Sorenskriver | magistrate, probate judge |
| Spillemand | fiddler, musician |
| Spinderi arbeider | spinning mill worker |
| Spinderske | female spinner |
| Staldkarl | stall groom |
| Stamfar | progenitor |
| Stasjonsmester | station master at the railroad |
| Statsminister | prime minister |
| Stattholder | governor, vice regent |
| Sten arbeider | stone worker |
| Stenhugger | stone cutter |
| Straffange | prisoner |
| Strandsitjar | person renting a cottage near or at the coastline |
| Strandsitter | person renting a cottage near or at the coastline |
| Strikkerske | knitter |
| Strygerske | ironer, laundry maid |
| Stubbebryter | stump puller |
| Student | student |
| Stuepige | chambermaid |
| Stuert | steward |
| Styrer | ruler, director |
| Styrmand | ships mate |
| Støber/støper | foundry worker |
| Svend/svenn | journeyman |
| Svensk | Swedish |
| Sygepleierske | nurse |
| Sykepleier | nurse |
| Sypige/sypike | seamstress |
| Søfarende | sailor |
| Sølvverksarbeider | silver smelter worker |
| Sømand | seaman |
T[edit | edit source] |
|
| Tambur | drummer (soldier) |
| Tannlege | dentist |
| Tegelbrænder | brick/tile burner |
| Tekstil arbeider | textile worker |
| Telegrafist | telegraph operator |
| Tiener | servant |
| Tieneste dreng | servant boy, farm hand |
| Tieneste pige | servant girl |
| Tigger | beggar |
| Tilsynsmand | supervisor |
| Timmermand | lumberman |
| Tjener | servant, farm hand |
| Tjeneste dreng | servant boy, farm hand |
| Tjeneste folk | servants, domestic or hired hands |
| Tjeneste gutt | servant boy, farm hand |
| Tjeneste karl | male employee |
| Tjeneste kone | female servant |
| Tjeneste jente | servant girl |
| Tjeneste pige | servant girl |
| Tjeneste quinde | female servant |
| Tollbetjent | costums officer |
| Tomte arbeider | working at a building site |
| Trædreier | wood turner |
| Træsliper | worker at a pulp mill |
| Tuskhandel | barter |
| Tvangsfange | prisoner at hard labor |
| Typograf | typographer |
| Tyskertøs | German tart |
| Tyv | thief |
| Tømmer arbeider | lumber jack, lumber man |
| Tømmerflaader | log driver (down the river) |
| Tømmerfløter | log driver (down the river) |
| Tømmerhugger | logger |
| Tømmerfut | saw mill owner |
U[edit | edit source] |
|
| Ufør | crippled |
| Uhrmager/urmaker | watchmaker |
| Underskrevne | the undersigned |
| Ungkarl | bachelor |
| Utkommandert | called, mobilized |
| Utvandrer | emigrant |
| Utyske | monster |
V[edit | edit source] |
|
| Vaegter | public watcher |
| Vanfør | crippled, disabled |
| Vanskapt | deformed, handicapped |
| Vaskekone | cleaning woman |
| Vegarbeider | road worker |
| Veiarbeider | road worker |
| Vejarbeider | road worker |
| Vekter | public watchman |
| Verge | guardian |
| Verksarbeider | factory worker |
| Verkseier | factory owner |
| Veterinær | veterinarian |
| Vever | weaver |
| Veveriarbeider | worker in a weaving factory |
| Vesjemaker | weave spool maker |
| Vikar | substitute |
| Visegutt | errand boy |
| Vitne | witness |
| Vognmaker | wagon maker |
Return to Norway Page
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Norway,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1997-1998.
