Genealogy Chat

Margaret and Bob: Of course I remember (years ago!) reading about children working in factories and such. Have been so involved in researching, I guess I never thought about the hardships people went through. I know a GC member recommended a Victorian website -- I think I better take some time to read about life "back then". Thanks so much for your comments. :~)

There would be no typical age of leaving it would depend on the family’s status. Conditions in these days were horrendous. Look at these Acts of Parliament from this time. 1842 Mines and Collieries Act : banned all women and children under 10 from working underground. 1844 Graham`s Factory Act : minimum age for working in factories reduced to 8 years old. 8 to 13 years old to work a maximum of six and a half hours a day. 13 to 18 year olds to work a maximum of 12 hours a day and the same applied to women. Given the size of the family I think it highly likely they were somewhere else earning a crust. Bob

I believe that some people went "into service" as young as 12 Margaret

Maz: I did read on GC about the age rounding -- totally forgot about that. Will have to print your message and post it on my computer so I don't forget again! However, this is the first English census I've seen about my family ("Vanda" was kind enough to find it) and oddly enough, all of the family members had the correct ages! I do have a feeling "James" (the 15 year old) was working somewhere. Mel: They had relatives in the area; you're right, the older children could have been away. Pauline: Vanda, who found my family, said that the census was written in pencil and when copied, was very hard to read. Perhaps my James is somewhere out there. Everyone: Thanks so much for your opinions. I truly value what everyone has to say. James is the ancestor who emigrated to Canada and I swear, he just didn't leave any paper trail, anywhere, so it wasn't a surprise to see that he wasn't on the 1841 census! Good luck with your searches!! Vanda: I already sent an email, but once again -- Thank You!!

hi lisa,some of my rellies were`nt on 1881/91 census as they were working as servants or working elsewhere in the country and were boarding.if you check their names on the census,it should tell you where they were and if they were boarding.hope this helps. pauline xx

There is also the possibility that they were visiting other relatives, maybe older siblings at a different address on Census night. Just a thought. Mel

Hi Lisa, firstly bear in mind that ages were rounded to nearest/lowest 5 years in 1841 census. Some of my Essex rellies were actually about 21, probably claimed 19, and were recorded as 15!! Also have had instances in later censuses of 14/15 year olds shown as in employment away from home - mainly under 'male/female servant' ie living in. Just feel that with such large families, poverty at home, lack of schooling after 14, they were probably encouraged out to work asap. As usual, never rule anything out, however unlikely to us!! Maz. XX

My ancestor is not shown living with his family in the 1841 (Essex?) census. He was 15 years old. Since he had 7 siblings I am wondering if he and his older siblings left home, perhaps to earn a living. Would anyone know the typical age that children did leave, or have any suggestions why he and his older siblings were not shown with the rest of the family? Thank you, Lisa.