In regards to the replies sent to me and to the List on the subject "The Follies of our Greats/Great Greats/Great Great Greats/ etc., may I just say THANK YOU to everyone. Always good to discuss different viewpoints even though we may not always agree; it's still good to hear different opinions ! I love this List. Barb, Ontario, Canada. >>>>>>>-----Original Message----- From: Barb Ontario Canada via Throughout the 1800's/1900's in Cumberland and Lancashire I have been involved with transcribing news articles about the area where my Great & GreatGreat Grandparents lived, and their marriages & family lives during those times; through to the present events in the 2000's. The one subject that kept jumping out at me is what we now call spousal abuse. When I first read the 1800/1900 reports of spousal abuse in either County I was just abhorred to say the least. BUT SHOULD WE BLAME THOSE who were living through "the times ?" I don't think so. The above has continued on into the 2000's until this day. My Mom was the exception, but all of her four brothers came from England to Canada with problems with the booze, and it continued on right through until they passed away. Probably a male thing ; if one reads the statistics and studies which are published today. My Mom did not abuse alcohol; enjoyed a Gin Fizz on occasion, and usually and ONLY when my late hubby mixed one for her; at the end of the day/evening, there would be about an inch of mix left in her glass. I always wondered " The WHY " question when doing research in the area around Worcestershire in the 1800's; Suddenly had a brain alert !........there were pubs at every corner of each village; in fact....pubs at every 1/2 corner of each village. The children were not always left in the horse and cart; most times they accompanied their parents (usually the Father) into the pubs. Some children worked in the mines (depending where they lived) and a "pint" was the normal liquid) etc. and so on. The statistics in the family history weren't any different in Lancashire or Cumberland or Worcestershire; alcoholism was rampant simply because ale was an accepted part of having lunch (or no lunch). I decided long ago...............DON'T BLAME THE ANCESTOR .......................blame the custom of the day.<<<<<<