The Hampshire Family Historian | Volume 50 No.3 | Dec 2023

Local Group Programmes

Living conditions were cramped and segregated. There was little spare time and it wasn’t possible for two indoor servants to have a relationship. Food and sanitation was poor which was in stark contrast to the opulence of the families whose food consumption was obscene in comparison. Cooks would be expected to routinely provide dishes in great numbers for multiple course meals for the family but also for lavish dinner parties used to impress their guests. But a number of events were soon to change the landscape. In 1894, what we now view as inheritance tax was introduced and higher death duties made it harder to inherit wealth. Estates became smaller as the wealthy felt the pinch. Meanwhile, bicycles gave more independence to young girls; much letter writing was done and people started applying for jobs, now offering much improved government conditions, through newspapers. In 1901, the school leaving age was raised to 14 which greatly reduced the number of available staff. Workers were also able to seek better opportunities on the railways and elsewhere. Furthermore, three million people emigrated over the next ten years, seeking a better life abroad. During the Great War, men were enlisted to serve the country. Women were subsequently employed to fill the industrial jobs they had left. Estate gardens were given over to food production. Spanish flu killed 258,000 people in ten months – many were servants. Things had changed forever. Those left in service now preferred day jobs working in hotels where they could have independence and live at home. The increasing use of cars and electrical time saving devices eased workloads and commercial laundries reduced the burden on housemaids. By the time WW2 was over, the need for numerous live-in staff numbers in large estates had all but gone and the era was over. (October) Special Members’ Evening This meeting was in two parts – a short talk from the new HGS chairman and a separate general Q&A session with a panel of our own knowledgeable genealogists. Tony Sinclair was voted in as our new chairman at the AGM in June. A lot has happened since and Tony has wanted to ‘meet the members’ in person to explain events. We had unexpectedly lost crucial executive volunteers earlier in the year – positions which had to be covered temporarily. Tony presented a newly developed organisation chart highlighting those key roles we have to legally fill to maintain charity status. We now have a new chairman, vice chair and secretary, but next year we’ll also need a new treasurer and a membership secretary. Can you help? Tony explained that we are also a business as we sell physical CDs, maps, inscriptions and booklets. Our products, and the way in which they are made available, is always under review whilst considering rising postal costs. The website is under review to make things more attractive and easier to find. We are also looking to work in collaboration on projects with organisations like universities and other researchers. Tony explained the roles of the many HGS volunteers including those running the help desk at the Hampshire Records Office and how transcribers are helping us to create new datasets. There is always room for more helpers!

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