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  1. #1
    Jan1954
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    Default Winter 2013 competition - And the winner is..

    Back by popular request, competition time is here again.

    Have you all managed to store your family history information so that you know where to find everything or is it scribbled on scraps of paper that are littering the dining table? The prize for this competition is a CD of Family History Research Record Forms supplied by Maxbal Genealogy. Not only are there colour forms for you to print off, but also GRAMPS Family Tree Software Program, a relationship chart and a 2,500 year perpetual calendar! All of this would make your research so much easier.

    What do you have to do to secure this marvellous CD? Occupations of some of our ancestors can be fascinating – even that of an Agricultural Labourer! So, as very kindly suggested by Lizzy9, we would like to read about…. A day in the life of a ?????? in the nineteenth century. Please replace the ????? with an occupational title of your choice.

    Post your entries on this thread and we will have a poll at the end of the competition time so that you can vote for the winner. The closing date and time for this competition will be 3:30pm GMT on Sunday 10th February, which is when the poll will open.

    Good luck everybody and I will certainly look forward to reading all about those 19th century occupations.

    also added....
    I think all the entries are outstanding so with that in mind, I have decided that rather than just have one winner, we will have a winner and two runners up. The three prizes will be:-

    Family History Research Record Forms (CD)
    The Journal of a Georgian Gentleman
    Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs

    The winner will have the first choice, the first runner up the second, and the remaining prize will go to the person in third place.

  2. #2
    Knowledgeable and helpful stepives's Avatar
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    Jun 2011
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    Ireland, but born Buckinghamshire.
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    Default A day in the life of an agriculural labourer.

    My 3xGt.Gramps, woke up, went out and worked in the fields. In the 'quiet' moments of his life, he and his wife, produced 8 children. The sons, in turn, did the same except for one, who had 11 children.

    So whatever they touched in there mundane lives, at least it grew.

    Steve.

  3. #3
    Famous for offering help & advice
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    Nov 2012
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    St Austell, Cornwall
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    Default Mount Edgcumbe Training Ship Inmate

    A Day In The Life Of An Inmate on Mount Edgcumbe Industrial Training Ship for Homeless and Destitute Boys 1878


    Hello, I'm Billy Baines. I'm 11 years old, although people think I'm 12 'cos that's what my mum told the Magistrates. She told them she couldn't control me, but I think she wants rid of me - she got married again and has a new family now. (My older sister has gone to work as a servant. My younger brother is living with my gran.)

    So here I am on the 'Mount Edgcumbe', moored off Saltash (Devon). There are 250 of us. This morning (like every other) we were woken at 0550h, dressed and stowed our hammocks, got the tables and benches onto the main deck and had half an hour for breakfast. By 0700h the tables were stowed away and the school desks put in their place.

    I was on "Port Watch", so from 0700h to 1000h I was on the Upper Deck with Instructor Farlow - Gunnery. We practised cleaning and dismantling the carbines. I like learning about the guns - it's more fun than learning how to splice ropes and tie all the different knots. (My fingers are raw after handling wet rope for 3 hours!)

    From 1000h to 1300h our watch had Cookery Instruction with Seaman Sullivan. We prepared the ship's lunch. I hate peeling potatoes! But at least it was warm in the galley. And I saw Miss Nellie, Captain Price Knevitt's eldest daughter. (I got birched for staring, but she's worth it!)

    "Starboard Watch" set up the main deck for lunch after their school lessons, so we served the food and ate. By 1400h we ("Port Watch") had the school desks set up again and spent until 1700h learning to read and write with Mr Gitsham and I even did a bit of arithmetic. And I only had the birch once! ('cos I got a spelling wrong).

    Tea-time was a disaster. I forgot about the "invisible lines" dividing the "messes"! I went to ask Seaman Tesdale about tomorrow's Seamanship practice in the 'Goshawk' and forgot to ask permission to move. Another lashing with the birch! OW!

    From 1730h I practised with the band (I like the drum, but I want to learn the bugle). At 2000h everyone came back below decks to the dormitory, slung up the hammocks and now I'm ready for sleep. I'll stay here on the 'Mount Edgcumbe' until I'm 16, then they'll sling me off. I think I'll join the Royal Marines. That's what my Dad was, and Mum's new bloke is a Marine, too. (Mum likes the uniform)

    (Names are accurate; detail is poetic licence. I don't know what happened to William Baines after 1881. His mother married my ancestor and seems to have abandoned her first 3 children)

  4. #4
    dylan thermos
    Guest

    Default

    Hello,
    My name is Elizabeth Chriswick I am ten years old.
    Today is my birthday but no one knows. It is 1899 and I am living in Welsh Wales you know the part on the end of England.
    I get up at six sharp and light the fire downstairs so that the girls (my masters daughters) can be warm while they eat their breakfast before going to school.
    I do not go to school because I have to work here in this family business to pay for my board and keep.
    Last year my dad died whilst overseas, he died when he was in Poland, now that seems so far away.I never got to kiss him before he left.
    My mother said that I had to go into service because she could not feed me. This was just after my baby brother died, I miss him so much.
    She was right really to put me into service at least I get fed here.
    This blackened stove takes a lot of black leading, my nails and hands are black by the end of my time getting it to look spick and span.
    I don't mind really because I get to warm myself for a while at least for a little while.
    Once the fire is done I wash myself and prepare the breakfast for everyone.
    Mr. Batten loves his bacon and eggs with that thick fried bread no wonder his stomach protrudes from his belly.
    Like a big egg he is, yes thats it, too many eggs…..
    Well now that breakfast is done time to clear away the dishes and wash them up, my hands are red raw what with cinders and this harsh soap suds.
    Sweep the floor and tidy away the pots and pans then up stairs to sort the girls rooms out.
    Mrs. Batten loves her bed, I can hear her snore when I go back up to begin the bedrooms.
    She is quite kind but not like my mam.
    My mam used to spoil me, come to think of it I miss her too.
    Must get on with my work make three beds pick up clothes and then sweep all the little bits of fluff onto some newspaper and take it down stairs to the rubbish bins.
    While I'm up here I'll just go and tidy my little room right at the top of the house. Well when I say room I mean cupboard and when I lean to look out the tiny window I can see the sea well just a little bit over the roof tops.
    Time goes so quick it won't be long before Mr. Batten is calling me to work in the shop.
    Usually I go down and he makes me peel potatoes for hours on end and then I get to serve in the shop.
    I eat a chip now and then just to make sure they are cooked see, well that's my excuse, I'll be as fat as Mr. Batten if I carry on like this.
    Tea time I get to go and fetch the girls when they come out of school they love to dawdle on the way home.
    Prepare tea and help bath the girls ready for bed.
    Thinking of bed I'm very tired myself.
    Not long now I think to myself.
    Just then Mrs. Batten calls me and gives me a small box with a card tied to it.
    I am so surprised she can be so kind.
    I thank her for my gift of scented soap and make my way to my room to hide my sophisticated soap.
    Once the girls are fast asleep Mrs. Batten tells me to get off to bed and be up early next day so that we can all go to church together.
    Sundays are like a day off but then it is not a day off. I still have my chores and have to fit church in too.
    Sleep, glorious sleep, hope I can see my mam soon.
    I'm so tired…………

  5. #5
    Super Moderator Sue Mackay's Avatar
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    Oct 2004
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    Rhoose Point, South Wales
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    6,540

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    My name is Thomas and I am 40 years of age or thereabouts – never did have much time for birthdays. I come from Deal, in Kent, so the sound of the sea ain’t nothing new to me, but little did I think I’d ever see my name on a ship’s muster roll. I’m on board the Weymouth, a store ship in His Majesty’s Navy, and a fine ship she be, but she don’t half heave about. I’m not supposed to be part of the crew, see, as I am bound for a better life, God willing, at the Cape of Good Hope, along with my good Jane and our three littl’uns, James, Hannah and Ruth. They say we’ll have our own ground when we gets there – well a few acres at least – but times are hard and I don’t have much saved, so when the Captain said we was light a few crew I jumped at the chance to sign on. I am a wheelwright by trade and so they’ve signed me on as a cooper. I did mend a few barrels this morning, but mainly I just hauls them up from the hold. There be hundreds of emigrants on board, so we gets through lots of barrels of water, flour and salt. Still, I’m glad I don’t have to climb the rigging!

    We left Portsmouth on 7th January in the year of our Lord 1820 and perishing cold it was – there was a fierce blizzard and I thought we’d lose little Ruthie before we even got on board, what with having to travel in an open cart from Kent. Fortunately I was able to sign on as crew straight away, so it’s a bit easier to slip the kids some extra rations, seeing as I help haul them up to the galley. We’ve been at sea a month now, and the weather is getting warmer. Today we all had fresh meat as we slaughtered one of the live bullocks we brung with us, and we came in sight of Cape Verde, so the kids were running around by the rail trying to see land and getting under everyone’s feet. There was quite a lifting of the spirits to see some land, but then little Sarah Hobbs passed away with the measles and we had to assemble on deck for another funeral. The way the fever is spreading we’ll commit a few more little bodies to the deep before the week is out, but God be praised my family has been spared to date. The captain got us all to help bring the bedding up on deck to air it and I think that’ll help. I’m glad I have a hammock, even if it do mean I’m separated from Janey. Still, even with big Will snoring fit to bust I gets a better night’s sleep with the crew than down there with the emigrants and all those kids wailing. Tonight if we get a calm sea I plan to sit on deck and whittle a toy for James and listen to the Wiltshire settlers – they’ve got lots of Chapel folk and their singing gives us all hope that God will be kind to us in Africa.
    Sue Mackay
    Insanity is hereditary - you get it from your kids

  6. #6
    ellyjane70
    Guest

    Default

    I'm Mary, yesterday I was Mary Corneilius, today I am Mary Morrison,aged 39 - it is 1839 and I have just married my new husband one day after burying my old one. I still have to work for our 8 children so I will sit at my embroidery until the candle blows out..my eyes ache but I have to work. When it is the fishing season I will be at the quayside gutting the fish that my husband has trawled overnight. This Ayrshire coast is cold, and very dangerous for the men and women so I consider myself fortunate that I can sit indoors sometimes and take up the skill I have learned-that of the beautiful Ayrshire embroidery, worked on pristine white linen. I do this for the rich people.I will sew the very best I can then wrap the work in white cotton sheeting..which we often also use as shrouds.

    I have a pot hanging over the fire and I can smell the fish bones cooking for us all - I have to be careful it doesn't taint the work I am doing or the rich people will refuse to take it into their homes. I must work, I must keep my eyesight and I have to be able to buy candles to see at night when the children are in their beds. The Parish Board will be harsh if I have to apply for relief.



    One day my great great great granddaughter in England will treasure a piece of my embroidery. It will be old, it will be thin but she will say with pride-Great Great Great Gran Mary embroidered this and it is beautiful.
    Last edited by ellyjane70; 30-01-2013 at 8:26 PM. Reason: incorrect

  7. #7
    Thachuk
    Guest

    Default An IDLE Farmer

    Can you believe a farmer with NO chores in 1926! Hard to do from a jail cell! I was out in the barn hitching up the horses when it all began this morning. Two men appeared and hauled me off to jail. They say I entered the USA illegally in 1906. I told him how I came to Canada as a Barnardo boy in 1898 and worked hard in Manitoba for another tyrant. I saw my chance and ran away to seek my fortune in the US. After getting to Washington state I worked hard as a farm labourer for James Turner my wife's father. He's a hard man, and abusive as well. I thought I had done a good thing by rescuing my wife, Sara, from her horrid father but am finding out he is also vindictive. So after marrying my sweet girl, she was only 15, I provided her with a home and children. I did my best to win her father over, even confiding my past to him. He thinks I stole her from him but we are properly married . I'm a simple farmer , trying to scratch out a living here in Washington, just like him. But now he gets his revenge - after all these years he called the Immigration people and turned me in as illegal alien! So now I sit here waiting for deportation, they say, to ENGLAND. What will happen to wife and family? The're gonna send me- not Sara and the children. And all my neighbors will think I am a criminal since my story is being written in the local newspaper. He will probably claim all my animals and sell them off. How can I eat this meal they just shoved at me when I might never see my family again? So tomorrow will I be right back where I started?

  8. #8
    AnnB
    Guest

    Default The Inquest 11th May 1878

    Last Saturday must ’ave been one of the worst day of our lives. We’ll remember Thursday right enough, but Saturday was worse. It started off fine, with me and George doing our usual, me getting the littluns ready for the day and George going off to Farmer Elliott’s, his master. The master had said George could finish early so as us could go into Barnstaple to see George’s mother, us having been obliged to take her into the House on Thursday. He even offered us the use of his cart again, for he lent us it to take her in – he is a very good man and George has done well to be working for him. To tell the tale as short as I can, Mother had been living with us for a few weeks, her not being able to look after herself no more. She was a very great age – 80 I believe - and was almost stone deaf. ‘Cause of that, she’d to rely on me and my maid Rosa to look after her, which was very hard, as she didn’t get out of her bed after she moved in. Rosa is only 9, but she is a big help, she do ‘er best to help me. Anyhows, afore we could set out on Saturday afternoon, Mr Vickery the relieving gentleman, rode up to tell us that Mother had gone. He was a bit short with us and told us we ‘ad to get to the House to attend an inquest on Mother that very afternoon as we could be in a lot of trouble. We were so flummoxed and upset, but as we ‘ad the Master’s cart we set off almost at once in a right state. We left the maids and little Henry with Alice next door and we managed the journey in less than two hours. When we got to the House we were that scared, to tell the truth of it, I cannot remember very much of what happened next.

    The Coroner was a kindly man but firm, as us heard tell from others, but I was still afeard. Mr Vickery told him that Mother wanted to go into the House, as she had said so in front of him when he called a week ago after we applied for some extra relief. He told us there could be no more money and so we should take Mother into the House as soon as possible, her being so frail and old. Mother knew that George’s brother’s maid was helping out the nurses in the House, she said she would be quite happy to go in until she got her strength back, she’d been in once before and so wasn’t bothered. The Coroner wanted to know how much Mother was getting in relief and I told him it was 2s 6d a week but us hoped us might get a few extra pence as I couldn’t go out to do any work being as I had to look after her.

    At the time, George’s master was away for a few days and we knew no-one else with a horse and cart that we could borrow, so we waited till Farmer Elliott came home. He was willing to lend us the cart, but he said it would have to wait till Thursday, as he needed it till then. The Coroner said that it was waiting till Thursday what us done wrong and why us was here being asked questions, we should have made more effort to get Mother in to Barnstaple workhouse sooner. I explained that as soon as us had use of the cart, us filled it with straw, put in a feather pillow and some blankets and took Mother to the House. She was very weak and so George carried her in when we arrived and she was put to bed. Betty was on duty and came along to see her settled in, so us went home knowing she was being looked after.

    The Coroner asked if I had been able to keep Mother clean and fed and I answered that I had, but that I had been run off my legs trying to cope as I had to do everything for her. Having three small children as well (our other seven children were either married or in service) it made life very difficult, but she was George’s mother and that was all there was to it. After some more questions, the Coroner spoke to Dr Lane who had seen Mother about two weeks ago. He said that Mother was really too poorly to have been kept at home and that she should have been sent to the House sooner, but he did not think it would have made any difference to her living any longer. He said us should have asked him to see Mother again when we couldn’t take her in at the beginning of the week.

    The Coroner said it was a pity Mother hadn’t been sent to the House sooner but there was no reason to blame us for anything – the Guardians of the Union had to report the death to him, it was the law. He then had a private talk with the gentlemen who made up the jury and told us that they had decided that Mother had died of extreme old age and that us could go home. I should have felt relieved but all I wanted to do was cry – us never got to say goodbye to Mother and that will always stay with me.

    Ann

  9. #9
    lawsue
    Guest

    Default A day in the life of Rachel Grounds,widow.

    Well today I had a letter from the Dept of Education in Sydney, telling me that the 9 shillings and 6 pence that I owed in school fees had been forgiven. Ada Alice can keep on at school, thank goodness. Poor Mr Scully though, he has to find the money he owes. It seems unfair but he is a strong man and I'm sure that he will soon find work.
    Since 1879 the gold fields have been quiet and even the Ironclad mine is finding it hard. So because of that the sewing that I've been taking in is getting scarce.
    Before Ada returns from school I must find the doings of a decent meal for her, her brothers and her sister. Both boys need to find work and Mary's wage at the shop doesn't go very far. Perhaps there is work for them at the graveyard, with the typhoid epidemic and all.
    How I wish that John hadn't sold the drapery business in Accrington to come here and chase gold dust. But he did and it is too late now. I'm sure a little help from his father wouldn't go astray. After all he is a rich lawyer in Wigan, but John would not approve of my asking and I guess I should not be bitter. Although if I was completely honest I would say without hesitation how much I hate this place.
    I hate the cold, I hate the heat, I hate the snakes, I hate the spiders, I hate the constant threat of bushrangers, I hate the lack of rain and I hate the way the typhoid took my John.
    But some good news. I have another sewing job just come in, so I will stay up late and get that started tonight.
    Rachel Grounds, widow, Cargo, NSW, Australia.

  10. #10
    austinward
    Guest

    Default

    Well done maid

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