Table of Contents
Acknowledgements viii
Introduction:
Stories from your Family Tree 1
Ancestors Within Living Memory 7
How to Use this Book 11
Resources to Take You Further 14
Chapter 1 'He Didn't Come from Round Here': Migration within Britain
The Story 16
Key Source: Commercial and Trade Directories 26
Resources to Take You Further 29
Chapter 2 'Great-Great-Granny Was a Rum 'Un': Poverty and Disease
The Story 32
Key Sources: Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates 42
Resources to Take You Further 44
Chapter 3 'So Poor, They Took in Lodgers': Working-class Living Conditions
The Story 46
Key Source: The Census 56
Resources to Take You Further 60
Chapter 4 'Coal and Canals Polished Them Off: The Dangers of Industrial Towns
The Stories 62
Key Source: Local Newspapers 72
Resources to Take You Further 75
Chapter 5 'Daddy Saw It All': The Second World War
The Story 78
Key Source: Diaries 85
Resources to Take You Further 89
Chapter 6 'She Had a Really Good Send Off: Death and Burial
The Story 91
Key Source: Records Related to Death (particularly Obituaries) 101
Resources to Take You Further 103
Chapter 7 'We Come Alive behind Shop Counters': Working for Big Companies
The Story 106
Key Source: Company Newsletters and Company Archives 113
Resources to Take You Further 115
Chapter 8 'Great-Grandfather Lived with the Red Indians': Emigration to America
The Story 118
Key Source: Passenger Lists 128
Resources to Take You Further 131
Chapter 9 'Grandfather Owned a Piece of Gold': The British Empire and Immigration
The Story 133
Key Source: Passports 142
Resources to Take You Further 146
Chapter 10 'She Supported the Family': Domestic Service
The Story 148
Key Source: Oral History 158
Resources to Take You Further 160
Chapter 11 'He Always had his Nose in a Book': Cultural Tastes and Family Relationships
The Story 163
Key Source: Books and the Family Bible 169
Resources to Take You Further 173
Chapter 12 'You Are What They Ate': Geography, Culture, Religion and Wealth
The Stories 175
Key Source: Recipes, Food and Eating Habits 183
Resources to Take You Further 186
Bibliography 188
Index 193
