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From Google... tallyman n 1: (Brit) one who sells goods on the installment plan 2: one who keeps a tally of quantity or weight of goods produced or shipped or received [syn: tally clerk] Georgina.

Hi, anyone watch 'Lillies' last night? What exactly was the tallyman? Does anyone know in which years he would have been around, or anymore info? Thanks, Sara

I think you'd buy goods from a tallyman and pay over so many weeks. He'd keep a tally (count) of how much was owing. Heather

A Tallyman was a Travelling Salesman who sold goods on credit then collected monthly or weekly payments for them. Barbara.

I got the impression from the programme, that they meant the inspector kept a tally of how many people were living in the properties, and kept chek all was above board. Simone x

Hi In the instance of lasts nights program Lillies , the Tallyman would could count heads to see if there was overcrowding in houses, resulting in eviction if there was overcrowding. Lorraine

Thanks. I had looked on Google and seen the definition of salesman. But the T.V did give the impression of inspecting for overcrowding. Would this have been in place around 1901? I was wondering if this could be why I found my G Grandfather and his two brothers listed at another address on census. Although their parents were living not far away - with 5 adults and one child in house! Mother, father, daughter, cousin and a cook and housemaid! Sara

I think it would apply to rented houses, tenants had no legal rights in those days , From what i could understand in last nights program the health inspector thought that the overcrowding was causing the spread of scarlet fever , so called in the tallyman to do a head count .

If you go to the general topics board and in search add Lilies...just finished you will find that the series is written by a relative of a genes member and that the story is about her family.

Thanks for that Carol although it seems that thread has gone as I can't seem to find it!! Sara

Brings back memories my mother always had the tallyman come for his money every week she used to buy our Christmas presents with his vouchers god thats going back some Paul

Glad you asked as I watched it last night and wondered. The Tallyman seemed to make sure there wasnt overcrowding - which i found strange as he allowed no more than something like 3 adults and 4 children in a house (surely not many families would have fitted into this) .... he seemed to be very loathed by people!!

Yes, the character was portrayed so as to take an instant dislike to him! Sara

No one liked them because you had spent the money and they came every week for theirs most were on a persentage of what they collected as wages so if people didn't pay for some reason they went short. Paul

This is a question i wanted an answer to.Imagine the fear knowing he was on his way around, i remember my mum saying about 'the rentman' You had to scrub your step with sandstone? polish your brass knocker and have your windows gleaming. did you see the seamans mission? this still is a beautiful building in Newsham park, although left to rot,it would make a good 'most haunted' as it is abandonded and huge!! ... moe

Havn't seen that building in 50+ years it was a cracker make a great hotel Paul