In my initial excitement at reading and starting to transcribe the letters and Fred’s diary, I wasn’t really aware of how much this was getting under my skin. So when I came across this entry I froze. And then I found myself full of tears: Transcription: Friday October 4th. My father died on this day.… Continue reading Stop all the clocks…
Month: April 2016
Fred worriedly writes to Janie for the first time
The drama of Jane being hit by her mother for being seen with the wrong man really upset Fred. I’ve just finished reading, and have now transcribed his whole diary, and now realise he’s not given to writing his feelings down in it very much at all. It’s rare when he does and on one… Continue reading Fred worriedly writes to Janie for the first time
In which we meet Fred, and Jane gets into trouble
Along with the letters, we also have a diary that Fred kept for about 2 years – which looks like he started it on his 19th birthday – May 16th 1878. Between May and August he is courting, on and off, Miss Lucy Craven, a “fine looking girl about 17 years old. Tall and well… Continue reading In which we meet Fred, and Jane gets into trouble
A first look at a family treasure
Fred writes in the most beautiful copperplate. He has access to good paper and ink from his works at Brown Bayley & Dixon, Attercliffe – where in 1878 he worked as Trade Clerk for 25 shillings a week. Given that while coming from a poor area, he’s done well with education to the point that… Continue reading A first look at a family treasure
My very own time machine
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