52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 40. Preservation

 PRESERVATION

I was really struggling to think of something to write for this weeks theme. I wished I had some Cornish ancestors then I could write about the salting of pilchards to see them through the winter. I will be writing a blog in relation to fishing in the future and wondered about writing about the Yarmouth or Lowestoft bloater, but this was actually related to the smoking of the fish, rather than as a preserving tool.

So then I thought about my poorer ancestors and how they had to resort to poaching and stealing a faggots (branches twigs or wood in bundles) in order to survive, a form of self preservation.

I did think about being a little controversial and talk about cryogenic freezing, which then became an arguement with myself about which of my ancestors rather than loved ones I would like to bring back to have a chat too. I still haven't made a decision on that one.

Then I looked at any keepsakes I may have from my grandparents, but really I don't have a significant or interesting family heirloom to talk about, other than from a personal level.

So I thought about what I may have done that could be considered a factor in helping preserve family history. Like many I have transcribed records for freebmd and familysearch periodically over the years and photographed gravestones for the gravestone photo project. I know there has been some controversy re find a grave, but my personal philosophy on taking the photo's and transcribing the information, was to use the 100 year rule.

But I finally decided on my own small contribution in 'preserving' the memory of some of the unmarried women who appear amongst my wider family. Often disregarded, as the 'maiden Aunts' within families especially during the Victorian period.

Statistics indicate that in 1851, a third of women aged 20-40 were unmarried, likewise in the late 19th century, a similar number i.e. 1/3rd of women aged 25-35 were unmarried and then post WW1, there was an imbalance of approx 1,750,000 women to men ratio, with the middle classes being effected as a higher proportion of officers to lower ranks were killed. However it has been argued that post WW1 there was an increase in the popularity of 'marriage'.

So for those, who may be interested, a section of my blog has been labelled as:-

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES

Catherine Sophia Lissa Woodley: Sister of Mercy (mypynthdev.blogspot.com)

The story of a young lady who converted to 'catholicism' and joined holy orders to become  a 'Sister of Mercy'.

Ada M. Youell: M for May (mypynthdev.blogspot.com)

The youngest sister of my Great Grandmother, who spent her life 'nursing'. Surprisingly I discovered that for a few years, she lived not 5 miles from where I live now. Perhaps not surprising in itself, but we both moved 200miles from where we were bought up.

In search of the family (mypynthdev.blogspot.com)

The story of Jean Iris Howard 1892-1951, a young lady who followed in her father's footsteps and became 'Acting Agent General for Nova Scotia.' The first woman to hold such a post in the British Empire.

The following 2 ladies have appearred within themes of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks titles.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 33. Tragedy. The Youell trilogy Part 2 (mypynthdev.blogspot.com)

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 36. Working (mypynthdev.blogspot.com)

And finally:-

Cecilia Clarissa Jay 1883 - 1967 (mypynthdev.blogspot.com)

Cecilia does not really come under the single lady heading, but as her two daughters had no children of their own, her story could easily be forgotten.

These stories are a work in progress and I hope to add other ladies stories in the future and post after this years 52 ancestors exercise.