Communities and Families

This volume explores the links between communities and families. There are a series of case studies of various occupations, including an examination of social mobility. By examining work and occupations, the volume sets out to help the reader understand the behaviour of families within communities.

Aspects of community life such as the church, local politics, religion and leisure activities of the 19th and 20th century are explored. Whilst each of these topics brought our ancestors together, these and opposing cultural values could also divide families & communities.

There is a useful section on social mobility which deals with 'rank', 'class' and 'place in society' that most researchers will be able to actively apply to their own family histories. Again this is a 'hands-on' activity book with plenty of examples and ideas for research.

Summary of chapters

Part 1 Work & Occupations

Ideas and debates on work
1. A brief look at the history of work in the British Isles
2. Four issues in the history of work in the British Isles
3. Conclusion
Work case studies: Individual Examples
1. The Arnisons: driver, draper, farmer, soldier, rich man, poor man.
2. Alfred Williams, railway factory worker.
3. Police constable.
Work case studies: Some occupations and roles.
1. Domestic servants
2. Married women and work
3. Entrepreneurship, business and outsiders
4. Studying work & occupations
Work and community: Changing occupational profiles
1. Hierarchy and labour in a rural community c.1800
2. An industrial village: the textile community of New Lanark and its workforce in 1885
3. New communities in the Victorian era: occupations and occupational mobility in the shale-oil industry of West Lothian
4. Planned 20th century communities: changing occupational structures in new towns
5. Conclusion

Part 2: Class, mobility and local politics

Social Mobility
1. Studying social mobility
2. Social mobility in 19th century Britain
3. Social mobility through marriage
4. Studies of 20th century mobility
5. Social mobility, family and gender
Parliamentary elections and community history
1. Sources
2. Your community's electoral morphology
3. Voting behaviour
Local elections in the 1920s and 1930s:Northampton
1. Northampton electoral data
2. Turning out to vote in local elections
3. The Liberal Party in decline
4. Where to find electoral information
5. Conclusion

Part 3 Religion, Culture and Leisure

Family, Community and Religion
1. Religion in 19th century Britain
2. Religious pluralism in 20th century Britain: Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam
3. Religion in Ireland
Cultural Life
1. Cultural life in the 19th century
2. Cultural life at the turn of the century
3. Cultural life in the 20th century

Part 4 Reflecting on the issues

Conclusion
1. Families & Communities
2. What should you do with your research into family and community history
3. The study of the past and the responsibilities of the historian.

Reviewed by Don Dickson LAST UPDATED 21 April 2008
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Contents:

Book Summary

Who is this book aimed at

This book will benefit the more advanced students and researchers who have adopted a more rounded approach to their work and are seeking additional avenues to continue advanced research. A glance through the chapters will indicate the richness of this work.

Summary of chapters