Abstract
Case studies of two branches of the Read family demonstrate the value of genealogical research as exemplars of historical scholarship, as well as contributing new evidence for further research: bricks in the wall. Wider research into sources beyond the usual births, marriages, deaths and parish records provides information relevant to broader historical research. The family case studies exemplify the economic factors driving the movement of people from rural to urban areas which was typical of the prolonged agricultural depression in Britain of the 1820s to 1850s, a period in which the economy was struggling to adjust to the post-Napoleonic War period. These case studies provideexamples of the responses of a tenant farmer and a family of shoemakers. Their subsequent experience of migration to London from Suffolk reflects the problems of this period. One branch established a successful butchery business, but suffered the ravages of a very urban disease: tuberculosis. The other branch shows the poverty that formerly well-paid artisan shoemakers suffered with the industrialisation of their craft.
Highlights
Research into the Read family was conducted for the usual family history reasons
The only known connection to the trade is through his son, Thomas Cannell Read who in the 1841 census was working for one Joseph Brown at the Thoroughfare, Halesworth, Suffolk, who was a butcher.[24]
George Poland Read (c.182554 to 1917; his death certificate gives his age as 9255), appeared in the 1851 census living in St Giles in the Fields, London; the property was shared with six other families, who were all artisans.[56]
Summary
Research into the Read family was conducted for the usual family history reasons. It uncovered information which touched on much wider socio-economic and medical issues which are illustrative of the major problems associated with urbanisation and industrialisation. There is evidence to show a much higher rate of death by tuberculosis among the branch who were involved in the butchery trade (George Read’s family).
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