Genealogy Chat

Two, and possibly three of my great aunts were in domestic service for wealthy families in Gloucestershire. All three were born in the mid 1890's in the Forest of Dean and at least one of them was still living at home in Yorkley Slade during the 1911 census. Does anyone have a suggestion where I could research to try and locate the house or estate they may have been employed? Many thanks.

Nan

Well if two had left home by 1911 then look for them on the 1911 census

If you care to post names, a search of 1911 can be made.

Andy

Having servants wasn't only the sole preserve of the wealthy.

Domestic servants could be found in the homes of people with modest means.

My ancestors were by no means wealthy, but they employed a daily help.

You say one was at home in 1911 - where were the other two?

If they lived-in, the address will be on the census return

many middle-class, and even upper lower class, could afford to have a domestic servant ....................... even if it was as a Maid-of-all-work, otherwise called General Servant

They earned very little money.


If they lived at home, it would be somewhere relatively close, and probably not a very big house, otherwise they probably would be living in

I read that someone on about £150 pa could afford to employ a maid. She would have been paid £8-£12 pa.

Andy

Hello Nan and welcome to the Community boards.




I'll let Nan know how to find her replies. :-)

I live in a very ordinary terraced house in Sth London (Plumstead).

We moved here 16 years ago and a few doors along were an older couple.

She told us that when they moved in many years ago, one of the householders was a single lady and she had a servant, who did all the housework, cooking etc., and answered the door to callers. This was around the 40/50s.

Thanks to everyone who responded and informing me that domestic service was not limited to the wealthy. My aunts were Corah Annie, Edith Ethel and Hilda Cox. Edith was married to a Walter Cooke. Annie married Jack Jenkins and Hilda to Tommy Harris.
When I initially joined I naturally reviewed the rules of the group, but do have information that might be considered offending in nature as to the type of house one of my aunts was employed. It was to an unknown, titled woman and her sexual preference was not the norm of the day. Can I mention it in that way? :) Not being from the area, I only mention this as perhaps there is information out there as to whom the woman was thus the name of her home as well. Thank you.

Nan


doubt you'll find that out unless your aunt was a live-in servant, and happened to be there on a Census night

Your aunt would not qualify to be on an Electoral Roll at that time, although the lady probably / possibly was.


Have you found all of your aunts in the 1911 Census???

for our reference in trying to help ................


1901 Census

Name: Corah A Cox
Age: 4
Estimated birth year: abt 1897
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Father: Albert Cox
Mother: Elizabeth Cox
Birth Place: Yorkley Slade, Gloucestershire, England
Civil Parish: West Dean
Ecclesiastical parish: Viney Hill All Saints
County/Island: Gloucestershire
Country: England

Registration district: Monmouth
Sub-registration district: Coleford

Albert Cox 38
Elizabeth Cox 39
George L Cox 10
Charles M Cox 8
Edith E Cox 6
Corah A Cox 4
Hilda Cox 3
Gilbert W Cox 7 Months



1911 Welsh Census

Name: Cora Annie Cox
Age in 1911: 15
Estimated birth year: abt 1896
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Yorkley Slade West Dean Nr Lydeny, Gloucestershire, England
Civil Parish: West Dean
County/Island: Monmouthshire
Country: Wales
Street address: Nsorhl Sl L P
Marital Status: Single
Registration district: Monmouth
Registration District Number: 583
Sub-registration district: West Dean

Albert Cox 48
Elizabeth Cox 50
George Lambert Cox 20
Charles Mayard Cox 19
Cora Annie Cox 15 no occupation shown
Hilda Cox 13 Scholar
Albert Edward Cox 9
Lenoard Cox 6



so both Corah Annie and Hilda were at home with their parents in 1911. And no occupation is shown for Corah, while Hilda is still at school.


That leaves Edith Ethel .......................



but the 1911 is the last census that is available



and I'm afraid that an untypical life style was not all that uncommon, even back then!

I can't see Edith Ethel in the 1911 ........

I've tried under Edith Cox

Edith Ethel Cox

Ethel Cox

Edith Ethel (in case Cox was badly mis-spelled or transcribed)

e e c ............. in case she was in hospital or prison


and


no name, born 1896 +/- 2, Yorkley Slade, Gloucestershire




nada



Edith, Ethel and Cox are all too common to try under Gloucestershire alone

It is a shame the census only goes to 1911; I was very surprised that the US released the 1940 census, which has been a big help. Everyone has been so nice and helpful on GR and I appreciate all your help.

1921 is due for release in 2022.......unless it is decided otherwise