Genealogy Chat

I am going to make my children read this! Although I am only 44 we had a tough start to life. All four kids in one bedroom, the boys were privilaged with a bed each me & my sister had to top & tail. Outside loo, Tin bath in front of the fire on Sunday evening. Half the panes of glass missing from the windows.I don't remember a larder or store cupboard, you bought the food for that day. I was often sent to the shop with a note, put on tick until Friday. My mother actually got a part time job, which was real 'girl power' in the sixties, none of my friends Mums went to work. I'm sure that was a vast improvement on the generations before. I suppose our kids will be telling there grandchildren how they never had sky TV , only one car for the whole family etc etc

I too remember being sent to the chemist with a note and returning with a brown paper bag :) and that was in the mid 60s. I also remember playing a 'game' with mum. It involved hiding behind the sofa and being very quiet when there was a knock on the door.....Strange how we only seemed to play it on a friday,..... Rent day :)))))) Chris

It's a different world isn't it? My Mum (b.1923) grew up in Southampton and didn't see her Dad until she was about 3 as he was a merchant seaman. They were poor, but Mum says she never remembers 'going hungry', though they were all lean as whippets in photos. Nan took in washing and Mum used to earn some pennies by taking a huge tray of tea to the lorry drivers from the depot over the road in her school lunch hour. Winkles, dabs and sprats were common fare, as was bread and dripping - Nan was a fab cook who could make most things taste good!

Hi Ang, Was that the display at St. Augustines? I really wanted to go there but had family committments so couldn`t make it. It sounds like it was really interesting, can you tell me more? Frances

Hi Frances, Yes that was at the St Augustines Heritage day. They are repeating it during the heritage week at the beginning of September. If you are anything like me then I just don't know what to look at that week, so many great historical buildings to see !

Thanks Ang, will check it out in Sept. I know what you mean about the Heritage weekend - wish it was longer. Last year I only went to St Augustines Church, but this year have a whole list of churches I want to visit plus many other of the venues. Will have to start planning my route, and tell the family I am not available that weekend. Frances

I read A RAGGED SCHOOLING by Robert Roberts this weekend, about a lad who grew up in Salford Manchester during the early 1900's. Although his family were considered poor he didn't go without anywhere near as much as some of your (and my) family members did, and it still brought me to tears. A good read though. I am looking for the book by Maud Pember Reeves titled ROUND ABOUT A POUND A WEEK, has anyone read it? I don't seem able to get it through Amazon or the publisher at the moment. It sounds as if it would give a very clear image of what it was like to try to feed and clothe a large family on very little money.