Genealogy Chat

Thanks Kathlyn, Webster and Janet. I have often thought that any work was probably better than none and that his religion would also have been against him. That sounds like a good read, I will try and get it. At the moment i am reading 'London labour and the London Poor' by Mayhew. He wrote about different people he met and it is a real insight into life in the 1850's. It's really shocking the hardships people faced. I'm also reading 'A Child of the Jago' , again to gain an idea of what my ancestors lives would have been like. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

Perhaps he was Roman Catholic? School teaching then was not as grand as it sounds, and very poorly paid - before universal free state education too Jay

I beleive there was alot of prejudice against the irish when they arrived in england, in many ways simillar ro now with other nationalities, there is a guy who is a cleaner at our local hospital who is a qualified doctor in his county, unfortunatly the uk government dont recognise his countries qualification so he cannot practice here. Have been reading a fantastic book called Bloody Foreigners by robert winder which is the story of immigration in britain. It highlights some of the appauling living conditions and prejudice suffered by immigrants and says of the irish of that time 'Few immigrants have been less welcome' It is worth a read and really puts into perpective the struggle these people must have had.

Hi Angelina, I would suggest that any work was better than none at all when you think how hard the times were. Kathlyn

Hi Is it possible that when Irish relatives came over around 1850's /60's that a schoolmaster in Ireland would end up a labourer in London? Does anyone know if this was a common event? They were also Catholic. Thanks for any help Angelina