Jane, You are right on all counts. There was a mass migration from rural to urban environments (the 1851 census proved that Britain was the first country in the world to have a greater urban than rural population), yes I have seen advertisements (why not look at some of the newspapers of the period) by manufacturing companies for workers and yes depression was affecting farm workers (Swing Riots, mechanisation, greater use of pasture less of arable and effects of the Poor Law all took their toll). Some parishes even borrowed money to send surplus (to the local economy) families to Canada/USA. It was cheaper to pay the passage than pay the poor law. I am sure that families of Blacksmiths would of found skill transfer relatively easy compared to agricultural labourers (few of whom could read or write). It is hard for us to imagine the changes that moving from a Victorian village to a town would bring about but street lights, hospitals, schools, new houses, shops, higher wages, regular work (especially for women) etc would, I am sure, of been seen as good motivation at the time. MT ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jane Kelly" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 8:46 PM Subject: [GLS] Rural Gloucestershire to the cities > Hi Sandra and Janet,. > > Our MONKs in Minchinhampton were blacksmiths for generations but their > children either emigrated to New Zealand or went to Birmingham. One > daughter > and granddaughter worked as curtain pin or pearl button makers in the > Ladywood area. Another was a Hair Plaiter (for wigs?) The daughter's > husband > who was born in Hereford was by 1871 a Metal Roller. His son was employed > as > a Bronzer and Polisher, another a Fork Polisher presumably in the cutlery > trade.. > > I guess it was happening everywhere with changed farming methods; people > forced off the land to find work in the towns and cities. > > I couldn't see a direct link to Birmingham but perhaps jobs were > advertised. > Does anyone know? > > Best Wishes, > > Jane > > >> From: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: [GLS] Seeking all Gloucestershire Smiths >> To: [email protected] >> >> Hello Janet,> > >> My STAIT family moved from Gloucestershire to Manchester in the late >> 1800's >> and as far as I can tell, it was purely for work. Perhaps it was the >> same >> for your family. >> >> Sandra >> >> >> Some interesting points arise from what has been discovered. The >> Gloucestershire HESKINS family has no connection with Manchester, so I >> wonder why they >> moved there. >> > > _____________________________________________ > > Have you considered adding "postems" to "your" events on > www.freebmd.org.uk , giving your contact details? Other researchers will > then be able to make contact. Click on the info button to add your postem. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > > E-mail message checked by Internet Security (5.5.0.212) > Database version: 5.11020 > http://www.pctools.com/uk/internet-security/ E-mail message checked by Internet Security (5.5.0.212) Database version: 5.11020 http://www.pctools.com/uk/internet-security/