Genealogy Chat

Ive got a family in my tree that seem to move around the country at every census. They start pre 1861 in Buckinghamshire then in the 1861 census they are in Shropshire in 1871 they are in Monmouthshire in 1881 they are in Staffordshire in 1891 and 1901 they are back in Wales (Glamorgan) The fatherand his subsequent sons occupations are mainly down as Labourer although the latter welsh entries are the obvious Coal Hewer. Could this early movement be anything to do with the expansion of the railways (wild guess). Is this type of movement typical with a family? Cheers...P

Hallo Work is generally the reason people move. Way back, most people worked in farming and stayed in the same place. Later on, the industrial revolution created new job opportunites/agricultural work declined and railways made it easier to travel. But in my husband's family he has Jewish roots, so I imagine they originally settled in England to escape persecution. He also has suspected Irish roots and I think they came to escape the famine in the 1840s. All my relatives born in the countryside were living in London by 1900s. nell

My g g grandfather and his family moved constantly. They had 7 children all born in different places. He was a railway porter and so I guess he moved because of work. My g g g grandfather was a missionary and he is only on the census returns once with his wife. They travelled and also had a large family born in different areas. He also travelled without them. I guess work was the reason. Susan