General Chat

Me name is Laura Cubitt and Oi was born in Catfield, Norfolk in 1860. Oi don't know who me parents were xactly Oi only know them as ahnentafel number 20 and 21. Me occupation? you decide. Oi was boarded out at one year old to the Crane family in Street and by 1871 Oi knew Oi had grandparents cos one of me descendents cleverly found me, despite me disguise, as Crbrtt living with them at the Crown Inn Catfield. Grandy was the Innkeeper so Oi knows a thing or two about men and beer. Despite all these clues she aint never found me movver or favver. I enjoys me beer which is probably why I has two little brats tagging round me skirts now. Ha, that will confuse em later on cos until she gets me def stifficate she aint gonna know bout the older one. Laff....... Oi nearly dropped me kn******s again. Chuck some bread to me kids will yer and pash me anovver beer. Might gis yer a twirl of me skirts later, oi's good at pole dancin too

Edwin, I be very proud of me descendants, that Sunny's father was a Major in Army, and e got the MBE. Sunny ain't so bad either,she speaks a few languages, along with gibberish, and have a City and Guilds Level 1 in IT. She can play the keyboard something wicked and her've done the odd 'gig', they calls em. Edmund

Call me Eddy my ansome!! Where be that Louisa - she be a fine lookin wench - might take her fer a ride on me cart

Ho! Jeremiah that's roit,( Suffolk accent u know). Translates as 'No! Jeremiah that's right' I made me mark on any papers they cared to give me. Mind you the missus could write, she signed her name at wedding. This is super ale Mr Edwin Sir, u should be knighted in the new year's honours list, shortly to be announced.

Some sad stories I be a hearing - hope that enumarator blokey is writing all this down - last time I saw him he be a jokin with the Master and not doin his job proper Shame on him I be on me uppers but one of me daughters gets hersen up the duff in London by the 1901 census and tries to pass the child off as my wifes erm other halfs and she be aged 60 by then if shes a day

I can't read or write either but Arthur can.

No shame not being able to read or write Edmund, neither the wife or I can write our names, but the X suffices....when would I have time to be reading anyway? If I am not at the Iron works I am trying to wash the dust of me, or sleeping...little time for fancy living is there?

I am Edmund Blake, on Sunny's paternal tree.born 1787 in Braiseworth, Suffolk. this is my wife Mary, her maiden name was Jay. We have two sons, William and George. I am a farm labourer. I led Sunny a merry dance in 2005 too, as I had said I was born in Thorndon, in all census' I was on. Sunny spent some money on me and got Ipswich to do a search, I was born to Elizabeth, who may or may not have had 2 other base born children, or she may have been another Elizabeth altogether. They were unable to find anything about my Mum. This made Sunny sad. I died in Ely workhouse of Bowel cancer in 1854, Mary died some years later. I'll try an ale if I may Sir, doffs hat, was very poor and unable to read or write.

Wont be in these parts for long.....we will be hitching the cart and moving back to Shropshire, more work, and I have a big family in them parts, so we are off to live in Oakengates

Good evening Mr Curnow

Good Evening Mistress Louisa - Give the children a bit o that broth tis frozen to the bones they be Mmmm try mixin up a bit o ale n lemonade fer yer Missus Jerry - Could be a New Invention!

Give her a sup, though we aint normally partial to Lemonade for some reason, and the nippers can have a sip too if there is enough.

I am Louisa Maria Lines Hawkins, aged 29. I am married to Arthur. I have three children: Joseph, Arthur and Ernest. And I live in Luton. My husband makes straw hats.

Best her be stickin to the Lemonade then eh Jerry??

Thanking you Edwin, glad to tip an ale with you, but er not the wife (she later takes to drink and dies young) fuff

Pleased I am to make your aquaintance Jeremiah you have a lovely family and sad tis to see the little ones suffer - tis such hardships we endure but best make merry whilst we still can Sup some ale and drink to 'Good Health'

I am Jeremiah Davies, born Shropshire, I am 27 yrs old....this is my wife Charlotte. I have my daughters Minnie age 1 yr (who sadly dies aged 3 yrs with a sister still to come from measles and whooping cough) and Sarah Jane aged 3yrs. At present we are living in Prescot Lancashire, my wife hails from there. I am an Iron roller

Hello sorry I am late...doffs cap

Florence - what a lovely story - thanks for sharing it with us. Think I will give thee a twirl round the cobbles - before me wife erm missus erm her indoors arrives! Shes gettin the new cottage ready

I am Florence Annie Locke.. I am an extremely pretty 17 yr old about to meet my first hubby, by the time I was 27 I had 6 Children and Fred had died in the Boer War. I went on to have a boy and a girl, and led my grandaughter a merry dance in 2005 trying to find their fathers name. I did not give up the secret, ever.! Later I married Ernie and had 5 daughters with him. Sunny is my granddaughter through Ernie. Sunny resembles me very much, we both have white hair and a lovely smile. How funny that Sunny and her brother should call their mother, my daughter, 'Florrie' in latter years(though not after me as I understand it, but a certain Andy Capp's Missus. love Florence