Genealogy Chat

Thanks for Devon listing, Nell. They lived in tied cottages, I wonder if they had to pay rent, and if so, how much. It really gives you an insight as to what it was like doesn't it. Sue

Thanks Nell. Its incredible that wages went DOWN between 1872 and 1898! Beth :)

Sue (I remember you from Gaynor's do) The tied cottage system was deeply resented and there was a long campaign to abolish it. People were regularly evicted. The book gives an example of a tenant's agreement dated about 1908 in Norfolk: "I, the undersigned - agree to give the cottage up held by me, with all its apartments [!!!] to the landlord or his agent, at a week's notice. "I also agree, on quitting my cottage, not to damage the property in any way. I fthe copper, oven, stoves, etc are my property, I undertake not to remove them without first offering them for sale to the landlord or his agent. "I undertake not to take in any lodger without first obtaining the consent of the landlord or his agent. "I promise not to harbour any of my daughters who may have committed a breach of morality, nor yet any of my sons who may have broken any of the game laws. "I promise not to receive into my home any members of my family, with their wives and their families, without first obtaining the consent of the landlord or his agent. "I promise to act as game watch on the estate when called upon to do so". nell

Morning Helen, a big thankyou and a Happy New Year to you :)

Thanks Helen very interesting, better to be ag lab in Shropshire than Gloucestershire. Cherry

I suppose that wages were held a bit low. because before mechanisation, the farmer would have needed a small army of workers? most interesting, Li'l Nell, thanks...........

Hi Helen, One half of my tree is from Somerset and nearly all the males were agricultural labourers - can you give me some info too please? Much appreciated Sue

Somerset 1850 no figures available sorry 1872 14s. 1898 12s. 6d. 1910 13s. 6d. 1914 14s. 6d. 1919 28s. 6d (rose after 1924 Ag Wages Act to 32s. a week for 52 hours) 1938 36s.0d. 1947 90s. It's interesting that wages seem to have gone up much more quickly in the 20th century -- due to Union influence or galloping inflation? nell

hi-could you look-up sussex please?

Thanks for looking for Flintshire. Denise

Hello Helen, would you please have a look at west riding of yorks,my g.g.grandad was an Ag-lab for over 75 years-he had a very large family and lived to be 88!It would be interesting to see how much he earned to support such a large family. Thank you Regards Diane

Grant Sussex 1850 10s.6d 1872 13. 4d 1898 14s. 1910 14s.10d 1914 not available 1919 38s.6d 1924 not available. 1938 34s.3d 1947 90s. nell

Diane Yorkshire West Riding: 1850 14s. 1872 15s.6d 1898 16s. 1910 16s. 11d 1914 not available 1919 41s. 1924 35s. increased to 36s. after Ag. Wages Act. 1938 36s. 1947 90s. nell

Thanks a lot Nell,it really does seem they lived hand to mouth and i`m greatful for the information you kindly posted. best wishes Diane

Hi Helen Many thanks for the Somerset figures. I shudder to think how many hours they worked a week for less than a pound. When researching my tree i was amazed at the sizes of the families, 8-12 children the norm, it seems. I guess feeding wasnt a major problem as most country folk knew how to be self-sufficient and Ag Labs also had farm perks. As well as growing their own fruit/veg, many kept chickens - some kept pigs... and of course there were plenty of rabbits back then (which had 2 good things about them - food, and they sold the skins) But money was still needed to keep those huge households alive and running. The other half of my family tree is based in the mill towns of Yorkshire. Same large families and poor wages - but what nightmare working conditions it must have been in those mills. The towns were also overcrowded and heavily polluted by factories and household chimneys. Few houses had gardens - certainly not the working class houses. I reckon my Somerset folk where a lot better off in many ways. My Yorkshire grandmother lost her husband in WWI and she moved down to Devon with her son, then about 7 (my father). It must have blown his mind - all that fresh air and green fields. Apparently he spent many an hour wandering over the fields and beaches down there. He loved the countryside with a passion.... something he passed on to me.

Susan I have to agree with you with town v country. My Gloucester grandfather was one of 8 children and they all lived to a ripe old age apart from a girl who was killed in a road accident. My Norfolk grandfather was one of 10 and again they all lived except a boy who died of meningitis. But my London-born grandmother suffered poor health, including anaemia, most of her life. Her mother had 9 pregnancies, two children that died in infancy, and only 3 survived to adulthood. Going back, I see that apart from a few infant deaths, the children all thrived. One of my Norfolk gt gt grandmothers was one of 13 - again two children died, but they were twins and so more likely to have been premature. nel

hello, would you be so kind to look up suffolk please. thankyou!!! julie.

Suffolk 1850 7s. 11d (one of the lowest for the country) 1872 13s. 1898 10s. 6d 1910 12s. 9d 1913 not available 1919 36s. 6d 1924 25s. (rose to 29s. 2d after Ag. Wages Act that year) 1938 34s. 1947 90s. nell

thankyou nell for this useful information, very much appriciated !!!! kind, regards, julie

Thanks Nell, Lucia :-)