Essex Society for Family History

RECENT MEETINGS AT CHELMSFORD

Hylands House, Chelmsford

DECEMBER 2009 - THE PAST IN ANOTHER COUNTRY with Audrey Gillett

Hello again to Audrey, our own member with over 40 years research experience, to talk us through the past, so different to how we live today. We might not like what we find about our ancestors in years gone by, and we are certainly unable to change anything. Thank you for taking us on the journey.

Barbara Harpin

NOVEMBER 2009 -THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851 - Ann Carter

After a short delay, Ann’s factual story of the idea and planning, through to the actual event, was packed full of detail and pictures of this truly amazing Exhibition over 150 years ago.

We were almost present at some of the meetings when designs, funding, materials and labour were discussed to build and organize this amazing international display of inventions and life in early Victorian times, which was the beginning of tourism. And as for “spending a penny”………

A truly lovely afternoon with a very entertaining speaker. Thank you.

Barbara Harpin

October 2009 - Death and Resurrection - The Body Snatchers by Alec Tritton

Alex presented a delightfully gory tale of death through the last two centuries. From 1832 and the Act of Anatomy, Surgeons needed to practice their trade, initially on the bodies of murderers, later purchasing bodies, encouraging “body snatchers”. There was great fear among the living that dissection was the worse fate possible.

Brothers John & William Hunter - their work preserved and displayed now in the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons encouraged experimental work on dissection of bodies.

Amazingly, removal of bodies was not an offence, although the taking of the burial shroud was, hence many shrouds left behind in the graves. Various facts and figures were imparted, along with incredible tales including the infamous Burke & Hare who murdered in order to make money from selling the bodies

Alec finished quoting a poem. He also provided a useful handout including a bibliography for those wishing to read more. An interesting presentation, thank you Alex.

Barbara Harpin

JULY 2009 - HISTORY OF BRITAIN’S ROADS - MURRAY BRAZIER

Paved with Good Intentions

Introduced as a Highwayman, actually a Highway Engineer by trade, and a member of the Society, Murray gave a very interesting presentation, as the title suggests, on our roads.

From pre-historic to roman trackways, ridgeways such as ICKNIELD WAY across the south of England, we enjoyed a journey through the ages up and down our country.

It is estimated the Romans built 10,000 miles of roads across Britain. Famous for their straightness, built in layers up to a thickness of 3 feet raised above ground level, thus known as highways. Among the famous roads are Akeman Street, Dere Street, Ermine Street, Fosse Way, King Street, Stane Street, and Watling Street

On through Medieval Britain to when the monks levied tolls for the use of their roads and bridges, helping to fund the abbeys. Not much was done to the roads for a long period until 1555 The Statue for Mending Highways was introduced to force parishioners to work for 4 days a year on the upkeep of our roads. The Highways Act of 1662 allowed the Parish to levy an annual rate of 6d for repairs. Shortly followed by the Turnpike Act, with only limited use made of its powers.

Things changed in the 18^th century when three men, John Metcalfe, Thomas Telford and John Loudon had a big influence. By 1894 the Local Government Act created Rural District Councils to take over maintenance from the parishes after over 300 years.

Thank you Murray for an interesting journey, giving us a valuable insight into how our ancestors may have travelled.

Barbara Harpin

JUNE 2009 - A Weaver at Waterloo: The women in his life by Anne Grimshaw

Anne started her talk by advising us that it was 114^th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo this year and her talk was all about how she believed, taking into account facts from World Wars I & II and Afghanistan, Tom Grimshaw’s family was affected during and after his return

Anne gave the talk in costume changing her bonnet and shawl for each woman.

The first is his mother, Dolly, who is talking in 1833, having found his old letters and using these she describes how he joined up, some of the places he was stationed during his 12 years away and his return home injured in 1818 suffering from nightmares

The second woman was his sister Sally, who had married his friend John, who had returned home in 1814 injured. Whilst touching on the injuries they suffered in the Wars Sally concentrates on the years that follows, Peterloo and how her husband’s pension of 9d a day was stopped after he refused to join the Peterloo Veterans Battalion. It was restored many years later.

The final lady was Tom wife Phoebe who takes up the story in 1859 and talks about the changes in weaving such as the introduction of the Steam Looms and Spinning Jennys, her spell in prison for breaking the looms and Tom changing to Silk Weaving.

A really good talk based on real people and events – Anne is an excellent actress.

Meryl Rawlings

May 2009 - LONDON CURIOSITIES by RON COOK

A delightful look at oddities in the capital, many that are taken for granted. Several bridges, stations, churches, Turkish Baths in Bishopsgate, 24 hour clock. Ron displayed photos and explained how he came across his finds in the streets of London. Very interesting, thanks.

Barbara Harpin

April 2009 - WOMEN AND FAMILIES IN MEDIEVAL ESSEX by JENNIFER WARD

Mrs Ward explained how women were treated through earlier centuries using slides to give us a picture. Women were generally subordinate. From the popular story of Eve in the Garden of Eden, our speaker concentrated on 12^th to 15^th centuries. Women were often married at the age of 12, and expected to stay married for life, hoping that love would develop. A very knowledgeable lady. Thank you.

Barbara Harpin

March 2009 - Dengie Hundred Coal Miners - Kevin Bruce

Well, many in the audience were puzzled about the topic, but all became clear when Kevin explained how the book Meagre Harvest by Arthur Brown set him on a search beginning around 1873. There was much unrest among the high numbers of agricultural labourers throughout the South East. Information was found in the newspapers of the time.

Farmers wanted to lower the rates of pay after the Harvest for the hardworking people tilling the land. They formed unions and we know of rebellions, but Kevin enlightened us to how they were offered free passage to Australia, many settling in Rockhampton. Others were offered 12s to go north and after investigation, mainly using the 1881 census, large numbers settled in Butterknowle, Durham and became employed in the coal mines.

Kevin’s thorough research had shown of 313 who migrated north 262 settling in one town.

Barbara Harpin

February 2009 - Mrs Goodwin’s Little Book - Meryl Catty

What a delight that Meryl could stand in at short notice. From a little book, almost called a diary, our speaker was able to enjoy detail of facts happening in a Twickenham family home from 1732 to 1817. Also events like earthquakes, changing of the calendar from Julian to Gregorian, and the extended rainy period were delightfully described. All sorts of detailed information not forthcoming from the usual family history records we all use. Meryl brought this family to life, encouraging us all to delve a bit deeper into historical records to add that personal touch. We might not be so lucky to have a diary, but adding a bit of extra detail can really make us feel we are back there with them. Thank you Meryl for sharing your treasure with us all

Barbara Harpin

December 2008 - The Skills and Crafts of our Ancestors with Derek Palgrave

Hello again to Derek and thank you for sharing your extensive research into the many illustrations and pictures from manuscripts of trades, mainly between the years 1300 – 1750.

Ploughing, threshing, milling, grafting, carding, spinning wool, furriers, bookbinders, mining, wheels and their uses, to name but a few of the many interesting, ancient skills and crafts practiced by our ancestors and explained via pictures and woodcuts.

Barbara Harpin

October 2008 - Railways came to Essex – Adrian Wright

Well, the railways not only came to Essex, they came to life in the lecture room as Adrian took us on a trip from 1804, the beginning of the Steam Trains through to present day.

He was passionate and well read on the subject and had many interesting slides to delight us.

Landowners opposed the purchase of land for the purpose of running tracks for trains to move vast quantities of goods around the UK. Politics and the chance for investors to make big money brought about expansion of the railways, but as today, recessions came, holding up many developments.

Adrian explained how lines were developed, stations built, changes, recessions, lines closed. How the intention was to transport food, coal and commodities, developing into passenger transport, not only for UK but on to Europe.

Many thanks to Adrian for such an interesting journey on the railways.

Barbara Harpin

September 2008 - Weird & Wonderful Weddings - Marian Moule

Following on from our AGM, Marian, a lecturer with a life interest in Anthropology and out of the ordinary traditions, took us on a weird journey through many countries, displaying many wonderful examples of customs for marriage and fertility.

We know that in centuries past, marriages in England were performed outside in such ways as “jumping the broom”, but our lecturer opened up many other traditions of weddings around the world.

From mothers advertising they have an eligible daughter to give away in marriage, to large dowries being prepared, to some not able to take anything with them to their new life. From the tradition of everyone contributing in a village so that brides and grooms have the same sendoff, to extravagant celebrations with grand wedding parties lasting many days.

Our lecturer explained how some literally “tied the knot” and how things like clothes, looks, foods, spices, colours, plants & flowers etc played an important role in weddings. Some ceremonies lasted from hours or days, and had many guests, such as Sudan where it took a thousand people a week to celebrate.

Thank you for a jam packed humorous talk.

Barbara Harpin

July 2008 - The Princess Alice Disaster by Joan Lock

Joan took us back to a late September afternoon in 1878 when the Princess Alice, a large pleasure steamboat was returning from Gravesend to the city of London with a full load of passengers aboard presumably having enjoyed their day out. Approaching Tripcock Point at about 8pm the collier Bywell Castle was heading down the Thames on its way up the east coast back to Newcastle.

For some reason the two vessels did not pass, but collided resulting in the worse civilian disaster to happen in Britain. The Bywell Castle ploughed into the passenger steamship which subsequently sank in less than 5 minutes.

Attempts to rescue the passengers wrapped in thick warm Victorian clothes from the festering Thames was extremely difficult with few being saved resulting in the loss of approx 650 lives including Captain Grinstead and his family. Many women and children who could not swim were drowned.

There were several inquests, with the dreadful details of whole families lost, in an attempt to determine the reasons.

A memorial was erected at Woolwich cemetery paid for by national subscription.

Joan had looked extensively into the various records of the disaster and has written a fictional book based around the tragedy.

Barbara Harpin

June 2008 - Secrets in the Attic, including Annie’s Story – Tony Nicholson

Tony expertly delivered a wonderful tale of his investigation into “rubbish” discovered in the attic of the Brotton home he moved to a few years back. A bundle of letters, photos and other memorabilia led Tony to delve further into previous occupants of his house. The sad figure of Annie had been intriguing and with the internet to research and make contact with surviving relatives, we were enthralled with the developing tale of what happened after the local vicar invited Annie to an evening dance at the Vicarage at the turn of the 20^th century. Such characters as the cad Gus, the drunken hag Agnes, and Beezy were brought to life in this wonderful tale which kept us entertained for the afternoon. Thank you Tony, hope you will return with more tales for us

Barbara Harpin

April 2008 - . Entertainment in Clacton through the Ages by Norman Jacobs.

A truly entertaining talk about a Clacton in the late 19th/early 20th century, when it was a vibrant destination. In 1871, Clacton was advertised as the Sun & Fun Show-Bizzy Resort, but to get there you needed to go by Paddle Steamer as the Railway only went to Weeley. Various shows were held on the beach.
The London Concert Company, who employed Stanley Holloway, was set up on a piece of waste ground and during the late 19th century a number of Theatres opened. In 1906, The Palace by the Sea opened, where Ralph Richardson and Lawrence Oliver played before WW1. Indeed, during its heyday, Clacton had four Theatres, two Cinemas and many beach shows, being a popular destination for East Enders and was the main place on the East Coast by WW1. In the 1920s when the town was ready to pick up after the War, the only beach show left was Punch & Judy. Unfortunately, I had to leave early, so was unable to hear the second part of this excellent talk.

Barbara Harpin

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