Reasons for leaving? (General)

by Roger Griffiths, Tuesday, April 17, 2007, 07:52 (6429 days ago) @ craig p

In a word, work. The Forest did draw in people from outside in early 19th Century, as capitalists expanded and developed coal and iron mines which had been there for centuries small scale. Neither the capitalists nor the miners in particular made much money out of it. Average family sizes were 12 children. That was general anywhere in UK, hence emigration to look for work. My GGGrandmother had 12 between 1859 and 1883 and none emigrated. That was unusual. Three died young, the males generally benefited from the Great Western Railway, including my grandfather. One as a Metropolitan policeman and the surviving female by making a good marriage.

Roger