My background is very mixed. My paternal g,g grandparents were Devonians, agricultural workers who went to Bermonsey and worked in the leather - tanning - trade. After one of the men died young, some of the family wer put in an orphage while their youg mother tried to keep body and soul together. My maternal grandparents were very different - born in France of British parents, son of a bank clerk, grandpa was an army officer 1908-1919, worked briefly for Spinks the jeweller and ran Collins Music Hall in the 1930s. (His mother was furious when he wrote Licensed Victualler as his occupation in the 1931 census) His wife was daughter also of a bank manager who died in 1932. My mother told the story, probably 1931, when she would have been 12, shortly before he died, that as they were celebrating at dinner, her grandpa started to choke on the Christmas pudding. In the fuss to make sure he did not snuff it there and then there was a loud cry - "Well what is it? the silver threepence? the bachelor's button? No. It's the swastika!!" What is a swastika? spluttered the poor victim. The silver charms came in sets of 6 or 12 each with its own significance. We still have the silver coin, but the rest are largely forgotten. A mere 3 or 4 years later everyone knew what that was - but it is one of the oldest good luck symbols, going back 3000 to 5000 years. http://www.luckymojo.com/swastika.html http://www.wisegeek.com/did-the-swastika-symbol-really-originate-in-some-eastern-religions.htm This symbol has dropped out of our Christmas customs now!But I cannot think it would have been the pleasantest to find in the pudding! http://www.madmolly.co.uk/Vivi_Silver_Candle_Holders___Charms/Christmas_Pudding_Charms_-_Sterling_Silver.html?c=177&p=3951 http://www.orkney-antiques.co.uk/items/764931/item764931store.html Do look at this one! Jean > From: roy.stockdill@btinternet.com > To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com > Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:13:56 +0000 > Subject: Re: [B&S] Christmas tradition > > On 16 Dec 2010 at 10:20, Tom Perrett wrote: > >> On Wed, 15 Dec 2010 05:53:49 -0800 (PST), Joni Saunders wrote: >> >>>Every year at this time I can't help but wonder how my ancestors in >>>England celebrated Christmas >> >> Joni, >> >> What era are you interested in, like when did >> they leave England? >> >> >> Cheers, >> >> Tom Tom Perrett> > > The original question is a bit like asking how long is a piece of string ! > > It's not just the historical period that is important but knowing the circumstances and > lifestyle of Joni's ancestors and who they were. > > If, for instance, they were from the aristocracy or wealthy landowning classes, then > they would probably have celebrated Christmas in grand style. Middle class people > would have celebrated it somewhat more modestly, while if they were ordinary working > class families they would quite possibly barely have noticed that it was Christmas at > all, since just surving from day to day was a struggle against adversity. Many would > have celebrated Christmas in the workhouse - indeed, they were probably better off > there than many working families who spent Christmas at home, since in the > workhouse they would at least be assured of a decent meal! > > One thing family historians may have noticed is that some of their ancestors got > married on Christmas Day - I have several examples - since it was the only day of the > year they had off. > > A little imaginative Googling should turn up some facts. For instance, what is believed > to have been the world's first Christmas card was sent by one Henry Cole in 1843 and > now resides in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The Christmas tree tradition > began in Germany in the 18th century and was introduced into Britain by Queen > Charlotte, wife of George III and continued by Prince Albert during his marriage to > Queen Victoria. > > Many of the Christmas traditions popular today are not actually all that old but, of > course, many would argue that they were originally symbols of a much older, pagan > and secular tradition than Christianity and that Christmas was "hijacked" by Christians! > There is no real evidence, for example, that the central theme of Christmas, > Christmas Day, was actually the birthday of Jesus Christ (see Wikipedia on the > subject). > > -- > Roy Stockdill > Genealogical researcher, writer & lecturer > Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html > > "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, > and that is not being talked about." > OSCAR WILDE > > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message