Forum: The Victorian Period - (1837-1901) though this could run from 1832

Hello, I have a question regarding Queens Messengers and in particular if they can be researched. My interest is in a relative (on my grandmothers side) who was said to be a Queens messenger. His name is Edward Pett Thompson (1802-1870),a former Mayor of Dover. His son Rev Edward Henry...

I have a Bible which was printed at the Oxford University Press in 1869 for the British and Foreign Bible Society. On the front cover is a circle with the words Two shillings and Six Pence, and on the outer rim British and Foreign Bible Society. Opposite the 'title' page there is a list of the...

Has anyone got any Spindlows in there family tree? I am interested in the Spindlows from Ducklington Oxfordshire. I have a Annie or Ann Spindlow who married George Wickson and also a Noble Spindlow who could be her brother.

My grandfather Henry HENDERSON No. 1545 was in the 65th Regiment of Foot (1st BN Yorks & Lancs) for six years, leaving to Army Reserve 20th June 1884(from the Muster Book in Kew). In Feb 1884 the Regiment left Aden to return home on HMS Serapis, was diverted to Suakin to fight the Mahdi's forces....

I am trying to find the early service records of my g g grandfather Joseph Routh born 1850 in Thirsk. I know from his marriage record that in 1882 he was a Sargeant in 1nd Batt. Manchester Regiment (formerly the 63rd West Suffolk regiment) in Urmritur, India. I know that he must have left the army...

I am researching background information (general - not related to my family) about marriage laws in 1838. For instance: What were the requirements for a legal marriage? What did you have to declare or prove, and to whom? Was illegitimacy or being under 21 a cause of difficulty? (eg, What...

Are there records of people who were made wards of chancery? Where would they be held? nancyt

Does anyone know what book I could buy on the 'habits', lives etc. of Agricultural Labourers etc. from the Cambridgeshire, Norfolk area in Victorian Years. I have had my head researching my family around this area for a number of months. Have come to some of my own, maybe incorrect conclusions on...

My grandfather's great grandfather was John Smith coachman to Queen Victoria, his son (my grandfather's grandfather) was Alfred John Smith coachman to Edward VII. I am looking for information on John smith's ancestors (probably in Isle of white), john's wife Edith and alfred's wife Annie Fitzgerald...

I had never heard of this terrible disaster and only came across it because one of my namesakes (not directly related to me) perished in this ghastly event. I had to google it to find out about it - not nice. There must be numerous disasters that we either are not aware of or have forgotten...

Do you remember a really good documentary nearly five years ago, 'Tales from the Green Valley' on British television? It portrayed life on a farm in the 1640s. Next week a new series starts on the same lines, called 'Victorian Farm'. It was filmed over a year on a Shropshire smallholding and the...

This domestic tome is obviously a rip-off of the more famous "Enquire Within Upon Everything". This volume was brought out in Dec 1883, and so has the summary of the "Married Women's Property Act, 1882" (came into operation Jan 1st 1883). 'Every woman who married after the commencement of this...

Can anyone help, please? I'm trying to find out what exactly a "Taglioni Omnibus" was. It was hired to take a party of 18 people on a picnic in 1852. I have found an online website called Probert Encyclopaedia which talks about the Windsor stagecoach called 'Taglioni', but from pictures...

Following on from Janice's post on Victorian clothes, I have put together a short list of some of the fabrics used during those times (from what I can remember of what I have read in period novels). It is not comprehensive and others may wish to add to it. Fabric types Bombazine – a twilled...

I am searching a Thomas Moran born about 1823 -25. Born in Ireland but living in Bolton, Lancashire, UK married Mary C Duclos probably in the 1840 and had a son Thomas born about 1845 and probably other chilldren. Thomas went to live in Malta around 1860 - Any help re the above will be appreciated

Victorian Farm Special - the birth of Christmas as we know it Although it's a trailer for a tv programme, this article (telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6773063/Victorian-Farm-Special---the-birth-of-Christmas-as-we-know-it.html) from the Daily Telegraph has some of the history of the Victorian...

excuse my ignorance,, but when did Manchester or salford get running water supplied from the street,, when did thay dig up all the roads to lay these pipes ,, and were was running water first supplied to a house in Manchester or salford,,, i often remove very old stop taps and wonder how old these...

I have in my possession a gilded plate from the Victorian period made by London & Ryder from 17 New Bond Street, London in 1864. There is a family crest on the front of the plate. I have no idea whose it is. We have been advised to try and find the family as it will help with the...

I have just found the burial record of my ggg. grandparents on the same day in London in 1849. She was 56 and he was 64 so not that old. Why on the same day? While I wait for the certificates... I googled and found that during this time there were many epidemics world wide. In the summer of...

One aspect of the 10 year census is seeing how the families moved around (or not at all in some cases) following work opportunities and post 1911 I've started to research the Electoral Registers in the local records office. Not being land owners seems to be a limitation way back, the...