Thanks, Nivard, these were interesting! --Carolyn -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Nivard Ovington Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 11:22 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [LEI] Victorian Letters Hi Carolyn All evidence I have seen and read on the subject suggests literacy was far higher than is often assumed Some information on literacy based on ability to sign marriage registers http://www.bl.uk/collections/early/victorian/pr_intro.html and http://ideas.repec.org/p/umb/econwp/03107.html (downloadable pdf) History of Education in England http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_education_in_England http://richardjohnbr.blogspot.com/2011/01/literacy-revised-version.html Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > Hi, Brian, > > The fact that she writes at all in 1858 is what I find fascinating--a very > intelligent and determined woman--with family and household duties occupying > most of her time, and the general lack of extensive education for women at > the time. > > My family's experience (coal miners) was quite different, particularly for > the wives and daughters. Illiteracy was the norm well into the 1880s. It > might be interesting, along with the letters to have a short discussion of > the existing educational system for farm workers' and their families in > England at the time the letters were written. Thanks for sharing. > > --Carolyn Sidebottom, Minnesota, USA ------------------------------- 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