Camb Builder

[scooter]

Hello,

Has anyone any idea what a Camb Builder might be? I've found a few references on Google, but no explanation.

Many thanks,

Scott

[DavidWW]

Hello,

Has anyone any idea what a Camb Builder might be? I've found a few references on Google, but no explanation.

Many thanks,

Scott

Are you sure that it's not "Comb", - I can't find any reference to "Camb" in the old occupation lists that I use regularly.

David

[scooter]

Hi David,

I couldn't either, and wondered if it was 'comb', however in the 1861 parochial directories of Fife there are 'Camb Builders' in Auchtermuchty and Wemyss. Of course they could be mistranscriptions. Anyway, the image is at: http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1035 You are looking for Jessie Wishart near the bottom of the page. What do you reckon?

Very best,

Scott

[DavidWW]

Hi David,

I couldn't either, and wondered if it was 'comb', however in the 1861 parochial directories of Fife there are 'Camb Builders' in Auchtermuchty and Wemyss. Of course they could be mistranscriptions. Anyway, the image is at: http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-1035 You are looking for Jessie Wishart near the bottom of the page. What do you reckon?

Very best,

Scott

I can't argue with your interpretation of "Camb Builder", but I'm at a loss to know what it means !

David

[ROY M]

Hi Scott
I had a look in the Dictionary of the Scottish Language and there is a couple of vague references to it being different spellings of the words calm or calms.
One of the meanings is a mould for bullets or horn spoons and the other is cords which warp passes through in a loom. The weaving might be possible as your record is Dundee.
That dictionary is an online one so have a look.
Hope this helps.

[scooter]

Hi Roy,

Many thanks for that. This does look like the most likely explanation. Perhaps one to add to your occupation list David?

Very best,

Scott

[DavidWW]

Hi Roy,

Many thanks for that. This does look like the most likely explanation. Perhaps one to add to your occupation list David?

Very best,

Scott

Not my occupation list, - just what I can access on the www

David[/b]

[Russell]

I wondered if there are alternative explanations

1. Apiarists need frames and wax bases for their bees to build combs on/in and bees have been kept for centuries to give a commercial crop of honey.
When they usd straw skeps rather than actual manufactured hives the bees were left to get on with it themselves. I'm not sure when prepared hives were first introduced.

2. When many of the single storied cottages were extended up the way, because of the sloping ceiling, or camb/coomb, specialist joiners were needed to build the dormer windows and strengthening roof trusses for the upper storey.

Just a thought for alternative occupations.
This just proves that not only do I think from time to time, I also think laterally

Russell

[joette]

Very smart Alec!

[Russell]

No Joette - Russells the name
Alex was my uncle - on my maternal side

We disowned the Alex on my paternal side as he was threeha'pence short o' the shilling.

Russell