Great Grandfather Alfred Swain found himself in the Workhouse in Bermondsey in southeast London for a year at the age of 14. Children in the workhouse during the Victorian period experienced poor conditions, limited education and hard work.
The Stone Delver
Looking at the census records of third-great grandfather George Fenton Pearson revealed that he was a ‘Stone Delver’ – not an occupation I’d ever come across.
The Newgate Prisoner
Great-grandfather Jonathan Beard came a cropper with an accusation of forgery – he went to court and ended up in London’s notorious Newgate Jail.
The Army Deserter
Great-Grand Uncle George William Pemberton had an erratic career with the British Army. In 1901 he was jailed for desertion – but 15 years later he was back in uniform, and lost his life at the battle of Thiepval in the Somme during World War 1.
The Communication Pioneer
Second cousin twice removed James Richard Beard emigrated from the UK to the US, got to know Buffalo Bill, and was in at the start of the communications giant now known as ITT.
The Peasant-Poet
Four times great grandfather Thomas Watson was a drystone waller in rural east Cumberland, and a mason. But he was also a poet, whose work was published by and for his friends after his death.
The Victorian Innkeeper
Richard and Mary Burton took on the Cross Keys Inn in Brindle in Lancashire in the 1860s
The Victorian Bobby
London’s Metropolitan Police Service was formed in 1829, the first modern police force in England – and Annette’s third great uncle John Glayzer became a ‘Bobby’ in November, 1857.
The Irish Navvy
Great great great grandfather John Fitzpatrick had a short life – but contributed to building Great Britain.
Man of Mystery
Richard Montprivat went from cow keeper to medical surgeon – but not before being found guilty of libelling a member of the aristocracy. He’s one of our more unusual ancestors.