Genealogy Chat

These books hold a wealth of information. My ancestors attended village schools and on a recent visit to the Northampton Records Office I looked at the above books for the village schools of Marston St Lawrence and Helmdon. The registration books give the child's date of birth, parent/guardian name and where they lived. Also when they started and left school. The log books give interesting snippets of school life, what was taught and if you are lucky bits and pieces about your ancestors. The child may have been off school owing to a death in the family (helps you to pinpoint a death). I got so much information, took my digital camera with me and was able to photograph quite a few of the pages so lots I can transcribe - when I get the time! Just thought I would pass this on!

That's interesting - thanks for the tip!

They are brilliant, if you can track them down - also look to see if there is a punishment book. These will give you a chuckle, even if your rellies were well-behaved. Jay

Did not think about a punishment book but probably being a village school it was all written down in the log book. One poor little girl in my tree was known as a 'notorious liar' because she pinched other girl's lunch boxes! When she was caught red handed her Mother said she would be given a good whipping. Poor little thing was probably hungry, she came from a large family.

One illness that was mentioned throughout was Blisters. I presume this was another name for Chicken Pox? Can anyone confirm?

I suppose ''blisters'' could have been smallpox, too? Christine