Category: Uncategorized

Trouble at the steel mill

I’m publishing this post 140 years to the day that Fred, 22 years old, boarded a train from Sheffield to Middlesborough, and left behind everything he’d ever known. There’s a letter from Fred dated July 1881 on Brown Baley & Dixon company paper that has been stamped “In Liquidation”. This is the part of the… Continue reading Trouble at the steel mill

The Sad Story of Emma Warburton part two

Content Warning, descriptions of domestice violence. It’s time to return to the story of Jane’s sister, Emma, who had been abandoned by her abusive husband John George Herrod, in 1877. In January 1881, Fred writes asking Jane how her trip to London had gone. This date coincides with the records of the High Court of… Continue reading The Sad Story of Emma Warburton part two

Did Janie actually propose?

Suddenly we have news from Oxford, an encounter with Victorian celebrity and a suspicion that Janie might have popped the question. 1880 is a fragmented year to put together in Fred and Jane’s story as Fred’s diary eventually sputters out and there are few letters from this year. In the world at large, Disraeli was… Continue reading Did Janie actually propose?

When great great grandfather Fred beat Aston Villa

Fred’s sporty genes have not made it down the family tree to me but I am finding the history of pre-league football oddly compelling. Footballs and cricket feature largely in Fred’s life but I don’t think I realised quite how much until this latest episode. Fred mentions that he “Played at football Attercliffe v Surrey”… Continue reading When great great grandfather Fred beat Aston Villa

Shorthand from 136 years ago – need a hand, short or otherwise.

Edit 14:30 17th January 2017: I have been overwhelmed with the kindness of others. After lots of sharing around on facebook and twitter, I now have an almost complete transcription – and it’s fascinating. I will be blogging it very shortly! Thank you to everyone (and their mums) for doing this. You have been lovely!… Continue reading Shorthand from 136 years ago – need a hand, short or otherwise.

In which we admire smoking caps, royalty and take a trip to Chatsworth.

Peering into the past of 137 years ago, the windows on my Victorian Tardis are often fogged up. So it’s delightful when the picture clears after a bit of recorded history pops up in Fred’s diary and I can find lots of pictures to share with you. So here is an illustrated blog of my… Continue reading In which we admire smoking caps, royalty and take a trip to Chatsworth.

Back to Sheffield, back to the steel works, and back to Janie…

After the lovely day when Jane came to visit Fred on his holidays at Bridlington, Fred sadly had to come home as “we could not stay any longer on account of the funds”. While on holiday Fred wondered how long they might be staying as he noted the food was rather luxurious and must have… Continue reading Back to Sheffield, back to the steel works, and back to Janie…