Genealogy Chat

LOL Kim, My Google powers must be suffering from pre-C-mas woes! I'm sure I've NEVER seen any of those men on Pot Black?? Merry

try looking here - it actually lists the profession 'Professor of Billiards' www(.)wacook(.)com/

As two of my lot earned their living as 'billiard marker' I'm quite prepared to believe that there were 'professors' of billiards as well. I guess the word professor is here used in the sense of teacher /instructor rather than someone with a university post though.

It's definitely 'Professor of Billiards'. I thought it had to be a joke, but 7 jokes (or 7 people with exactly the same sense of humour) on one census seemed a bit unlikely! Don't put yourself down Olde Crone, we all look to you for wisdom and guidance ......... Bev x

I hate it when I'm called upon to be clever! Could it possibly say 'Professional Billiard Player'. Otherwise it has to be a joke, doesn't it, rather like the supposed father on one of my BCs 'Father James Holden, a Brewer'. In fact, he was illegitimate and I wondered if the Brewer bit was a nasty slur on his mother's character! Olde Crone (who knows nothing about anything, not even what day it is, nor does she want to)

I bet you Olde Crone has an angle on this, and a story to tell....... Maybe you should incorporate her name into the thread title? Merry

Merry ...!!!!lol!!!! Well he would fit in nicely with my 'Nymphs du Pave' then............... Seriously, I cannot believe its a genuine occupation, more like the middle-aged gents in question have somewhat debauched lifestyles and seriously big egos! Bev x

Doh, Ta Bev! It's wierd....Google ''Professor of Billiards'' - Nothing.......tried it in The Times archive....nothing........Those 7 men in 1881 are all middle aged, living in London or outskirts, and with semi-professional type neighbours....you would have thought we would have come across it before?? Keep thinking it must be a euphamism for something else......High class pimp or something!! LOL Merry

Well I never! You learn something every day ..... maybe Edwin wasn't such a nutcase then ...... or maybe he was, lol! Thanks Merry, I'll put cute little jingly sleigh bells on your tinsel G-string for that! Bev x

Amazingly, on the 1881 census there are no less than 7 men with the same profession!! Merry

Multi-tasking then??? Why do I get all the nutcases as ancestors ........... .................... don't answer that! lol! Bev x

and in between getting sorted for THE party too! Merry

Blimey Merry, how did you look them up that quick? Bev x

and he says the same in 1861 and 1871!! See his son is down as a gentleman............... Merry

On 1851 census, I have one Edwin Kentfield claiming to be a Professor of Billiards .......? Probably a silly question, but would anyone know if this is for real, or someone's idea of sarcasm or a joke? Thanks Bev x