Genealogy Chat

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I've just managed to get hold of a delightful book which is the transcript of the School Log Book of the small village school in Norfolk that my grandfather and his brothers and sisters attended. It's a fascinating book to read and gives a real picture of what life was like - both within school itself and the general village life outside. It's also fascinating to read that my Grandfather was off school on 13 June 1932 with measles ! Also a touching entry recounting that two of his sisters were kept away from school to tend to their sister who was ill with diptheria. The following month there is an entry recording her subsequent death. We always knew my grandfather had a sister that died before he was born and this record gives it dates. There is a selection of photos that show my grandfather's brothers and sisters - but none with him on unfortunately. There are many earlier records in the book concerning pupils sharing my grandfather's surname - so these will undoubtedly give me clues as to some ancestors (aunts/uncles etc). I think I'm lucky in this instance as this school's very concise log book has remained intact - other's may not have done. The bibliography at the back of the book says that the original document is held at Norfolk Records Office, so do check out your local records office in case they have school records for the school attended by your ancestors. You never know what you may find out and, as I say, its a fascinating read in any case.

Oh, and I forgot to mention - it records dates of pupils leaving school upon turning 14, so if you're having difficulty putting an age to a relative school records might be a place to try.

I have also had great info. from school records. In two cases the village schools still held the records themselves, even though one had moved location within the village and the old building been demolished.They me gave information about family in early 1900s.