‘Reading, Riting and Reaping’

Wendy Anderson - 12 Feb 2007 - speaking at the BerksFHS Abingdon Branch

Sue Matthews provided the following summary:

Our interesting speaker on 12 February was Wendy Anderson. She had come all the way from near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire to talk to us about ‘Reading riting and reaping.’

As you have probably guessed from the title, it was all about schooling in the 19th century. Wendy told us about the different Education Acts and how the farm labourers were reluctant to send their children to school. Because as well as the income they were losing, while the children were not working, they also had to pay for their children’s education.

Before schooling was compulsory in 1874, there where Dame Schools. These were not there to educate the children, more of a cottage industry. In Bedfordshire they platted straw or made pillow lace in very cramped accommodation usually one small room with children from 3 years and the education was very limited. She told us of one Dame school that had 23 children platting straw in a room 7ft by 7ft.

She also told us about log books which were used from 1845 and where to find them, and also about early school photographs from the 1870’s. The log books are a great source to find out what your ancestors did or didn’t do in school. They were full of absenteeism when the children where out harvesting or helping mum with the new baby etc.

The talk lasted about and hour and was illustrated with slides. The talk generated a fair amount of questions and comment which I always think is the sign of a good lecture.

updated 17^th February 2007