Celia said there is a common belief that our ancestors did not move far from where they were born. How true is that? In fact they did travel, sometimes great distances especially when needing to seek employment.
They travelled in a variety of ways: sea, waterways, roads and tracks. Although, coaches and travelling on turnpike roads were often too expensive for the poor to use, hence they mainly walked.
The Settlement Act of 1662 was introduced as the government realised that Poor Laws were preventing people from seeking work away from home. The Act coupled with the 1697 Act allowed people to move to another parish providing they took a Settlement Certificate with them. This document guaranteed that, with no cost to the host parish, a person’s home parish would pay their removal costs back to their settlement parish where poor relief could be provided if required.
Celia said that travelling about the country for work added to the list of reasons why significant family events can’t be found in the register where you think they should be. When searching through surrounding parishes consider those along a route which they may have travelled for work. You may find baptisms of their children along these routes.
The talk was very interesting and contained useful tips for family research.Celia said she has a handout online about this subject at the following link:
Sandra Marvin
Next Meeting
Friday April 2018 Branch AGM followed 'Four battles of Ypres: background to our June trip to Flanders'by PeterMcCourt