Genealogy Chat

Looking at the 1881 census cds, I think this MAY be my maternal GGmother. But whatever is a "Hen Wife"? Dwelling: Henly Green Census Place: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0203530 GRO Ref Volume 453 EnumDist 9 Page 9 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Mary BROWN W 49 F Cameron, Fife, Scotland Rel: Head Occ: Hen Wife

No-one has a clue then?

I'd guess it was someone who looked after chickens, collecting eggs and despatching the adults as required. Beth :)

From the Concise Scots Dictionary Hen wife 1. A woman who has charge of, or deals in poultry 2. A man who concerns himself with matters usually left to women Martin

Yes they had shooting parties but grouse were the reponsibility of the gamekeeper. This lady may have been in charge of chickens for a large home - the sort of place with loads of servants, head gardener, parlour maid, laundry maid, etc. Alternatively she kept chickens to provide eggs for neighbours in an urban setting; rural communities generally had a few hens scratching about in the yard. Beth :)

Thanks Beth, Could have puzzled for days over this one, my boss runs a shoot and the female pheasants are referred to as hens. Amanda

Thanks Martin, I think the most likely description is your one! I don't think there was much game shooting around St Andrews, Fife, in the 19th century, But I may be wrong. Oh, and guess why I'm called Andrew!

Andy Hi, The term Hen in Scotland, just means female as far as know. My Mother was a Scot and my Grandad used to say to her and me. "Are ye ok hen" When I first heard it, I thought he was being funny (not Ha Ha ) and If I cried at anytime it was, what yer greetin for hen. Come on all you Scots on the site. Lets hear it from you.

Funny thing, Ann, my Mum was from Glasgow but although "Hen" is a term of endearment I know well, I never heard her use it. She left Scotland in 1927 but never lost the Scottish vernacular and accent. "I'm nae Scotch, that's a drink"!

Aye but up in Fife do they no call women a wife... like.... did you see what that wife wiz wearing? I'm confused I even have a book of Scottish Occupations from over the years but its not in there! Shaz x

And the funny thing is, Shaz, I because of me Mum I can understand even the Glasgae brogue. Can't speak it, but translate for my wife, workmates etc.

Andy My Mum was from Glasgow. She came to live here with my grandad when a young girl. ( Mum and Dad divorced.) All the rest of my family are Scottish and all but 2 live there. Ach hi laddie and away the noo. Only heard the word Hen when talking about a female. Wee Ann

Cap 67 I may live to regret asking this, but what's a chanty?

Geoff - dont be silly, everyone knows a chanty is the scottish word for a gazunder. The word Hen, used as an endearment, comes from hinny, which in turn comes from honey. Hen wife is, I should think as above, a woman who looks after or deals with hens and poultry, just as a Fish Wife cleans, guts and sells fish. And as for Qunies and Loonies - Ive often wondered if Quine is a corruption of "Queen" or "Quean". My maternal grandmother was from Aberdeen and I could never understand a word she said, except her greeting, which was always "Fit like?"

Not so sure about Hen and Hinnie being connected. Certainly the Concise Scots Dictionary does not list Hinnie under Hen and does not list Hen as a variant or derived from Hinnie. Martin