Category:Berufsbezeichnung

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Tagelöhner

The Tageloehner was of the lowest standing in a predominantly

agricultural society, but, and this was of great importance, this man
was free! While the estate labourer on the vast estates, on the whole
belonging to titled gentry, had to get the lord's permission for every
move he wanted to make ('May I marry this girl?'), the Tageloehner,
although very poor, was master of his own destiny.

We all know this is not worth much if one has not the means to fulfil
plans and dreams, but if a Tageloehner could scrape together the money
for the fare over to America, he was free to go. The farmhand, employed
by a landlord, and more often than not living in a 'tied cottage' (the
house goes with the job) on the other hand, had to ask permission to
leave.  As this was not easily given many emigrants had to abscond and
could only breath a sigh of relief once they were on the ship and sails         
were set.

There  is a fascinating book available about the fate of a German Tageloehner who had emigrated
to the USA

"Juern Jakop Swehn der Amerikafahrer" by Johannes Gillhoff
dtv - Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag 

or in English:

„Letters of a German American Farmer“ University of Iowa Press, here:

http://www.uiowapress.org/books/pre-2002/gilletof.htm

And all about the author and the story here:

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Johannes-Gillhoff.

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