Guysborough County Genealogy

Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Canada

Glossary of Old Terms

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-O-

Word/PhraseDefinitionUseage
öislandSwedish
oäktaillegitimate (child)Swedish
Oakum WorkerTook old ropes apart for the hemp fibre (oakum ) to be used for caulking (qv)Scot.Occup
oangivennot givenSwedish
obefintligapersons whose residence is not knownSwedish
obit sine prole (o.s.p.)(he or she) died without offspringLatin
obit(he or she) diedLatin
OccupierTradesmanUK Occupation
ochandSwedish
ocksåalsoSwedish
octobreOctoberFrench
octubreOctoberSpanish
odateradnot datedSwedish
ödevacant, fateSwedish
odöptnot christenedSwedish
OedemaFluid accumulation & swelling. See pulmonary edemaScot.Dise 1855
ofärdiglame, crippledSwedish
oftaoftenSwedish
ögaeyeSwedish
ogiftunmarriedSwedish
OGSOntario Genealogical SocietyColonial Diseases
Oil & Colour ManDealer in the victualling trade - not to be confused with the above!UK Occupation
Oil Colour ManEmployed in the paint manufacturing trade, mixing pigmented paintsUK Occupation
Oil MillerMiller of seed to extract oils for food manufacture. Rapeseed, cottonseed, linseed etc. Cottonseed oil was also used to lubricate the spinning mule.UK Occupation
OilmanLamp oil sellerUK Occupation
okändunknownSwedish
OktoberOctoberGermany/Swedish
OlitorKitchen gardener – Olitory; a kitchen gardenUK Occupation
Oliver Smith/ManA blacksmith who used a foot operated hammer called an OliverUK Occupation
olyckaaccident, misfortuneSwedish
omif, aboutSwedish
omkommendied accidentally, drownedSwedish
omkringaboutSwedish
omvändelseconversionSwedish
omyndigminorSwedish
On the ClubThis is not an occupation but is often seen in census returns. It refers the the person being out of work and drawing benefit from 'the Club', which was an appropriate insurance scheme.UK Occupation
ondslagsyphilisSwedish
OnkelUncleGermany
onomasticsThe science or study of the origin and forms of proper names of persons or placesColonial Diseases
onsdagWednesdaySwedish
OnsetterPerforms the duties of a Banksman, except at the bottom of the shaft.UK Occupation
öraearSwedish
ordbokdictionarySwedish
OrderlyMilitary batman or officer's servantUK Occupation
Ordinary KeeperInnkeeper with fixed pricesUK Occupation
ormbettbitten by a snakeSwedish
OrphanChild whose parents are dead; sometimes, a child who has lost one parent by death.General
Orphan's courtOrphans being recognized as wards of the states, provisions were made for them in special courts.General
OrramanSpare man or odd-job man around the farmScot.Occup
Orrery MakerMade an apparatus which showed planetary movements - after the inventor, the Earl of OrreryUK Occupation
Orrice WeaverDesigned / wove lace patterns in silkUK Occupation
orsakcause, reasonSwedish
ortplaceSwedish
ortförteckninglocality list, gazetteerSwedish
ortodox(Eastern) OrthodoxSwedish
Osier or Withy PeelersPeeled bark from willow stems (osiers) for basket weaving - usually women & childrenUK Occupation
OslerBird catcherUK Occupation
öster (östra)east (eastern)Swedish
OstiaryMonastery doorkeeperUK Occupation
Ostler / HostlerOriginally, a Hostler was the host of an Inn or (H)ostelry. Later became the man employed to look after the horses of the visitorsUK Occupation
OstlerHostler, person looking after horses at an innScot.Occup
otidigt sängelagfornication betweeen a couple who intends to marry (who are not engaged)Swedish
Otitis mediaInfection of the middle earScot.Dise 1855
ottobreOctoberItalian
OurmanOverseerScot.Occup
Out CrierAuctioneerUK Occupation
OutworkerHome-worker, particularly in weavingUK Occupation
Oval TurnerLathe operator who produced oval shaped wooden legs of tables, chairs, stair balusters. etc.Scot.Occup
ovan, ovanföraboveSwedish
överoverSwedish
överlevandesurvivor(s)Swedish
OverlookerOverseer or foreman esp. in textile millsUK Occupation
OvermanColliery supervisor - checked the workers and coal qualityUK Occupation
Overmantel MakerCraftsman who made ornamental structures over a mantelpiece.UK Occupation
OverseerThe officials who performed the assessment and collection of the poor-rates. More Info.UK Occupation
övreupperSwedish
OwlerSmuggler - particularly sheep or woolUK Occupation
oxeltumourSwedish
Oyster DredgerCrew member on an oyster boatUK Occupation
Oyster HawkerStreet seller of pickled oysters - 18/19th centuryUK Occupation
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