People who were somebody
The Medical Directory 1895 (S&N, £17.95) contains doctors in Great Britain, Ireland and India, with a further section on those resident abroad. In general, potted biographies are given only for those in London, which will indicate further sources for some lucky family historians to follow up, but even those whose ancestors worked outside the metropolis will find this a very useful resource. It also includes dentists licensed by the Royal College of Surgeons and miscellaneous organisations and regulatory bodies.
Who's Who Yorkshire 1912 (S&N, £17.45) was the first edition of what was intended to be a series covering different counties. It includes lists of all those involved in the government, both local and national across the three Ridings; those in the Church and armed forces; and followed by a section on other worthies in the county.
Each entry contains details of parentage, place of birth, education, career, marriage and children, and address. In most cases, "recreation" is also given, allowing a glimpse of what people enjoyed in their leisure time. |
Happiest days of their lives
The foreword to Mill Hill School Register 1807-1926 (S&N, £17.45) explains that compiling the material was in some cases difficult, and the text contains many question marks. Family historians using this list of alumni should therefore be aware that some entries may not be entirely accurate, but even so, it does give more information than many similar works. For example, it includes the occupations and addresses, where known, of the boys' fathers. In the early days most seem to have been well-to-do tradesmen but by the end there were increasing numbers of boys from a non-trade background. In an era when a great deal of snobbery was attached to where a family's income came from, this mattered.
Founded in 1845, Marlborough College was intended for the sons of clergymen, and many of those listed in Marlborough College Register 1843-1904 (S&N, £17.45) did have a church background. As well as containing the standard lists of staff and pupils, with details of their parentage and careers, awards, prizes and sporting achievements, this publication details various associations to which Old Boys were connected. One is the Marlborough Mission in Tottenham, London, founded in 1881. Less worthy (but probably more fun), the Marlborough Nomads Football Club and the Marlborough Blues Cricket Club catered for the sporty types who wanted to go on playing after they had left the school.
Eton was founded in 1440 to give poor but bright practical boys an education. The aristocracy, however, soon recognized this was |
too good a thing to leave entirely to the children of the working classes and started to send their own children there too. Old Public School-Boys' Who's Who: Eton 1933 (S&N, £17.45) shows just how many influential positions the Old Boys alive in 1933 held, from MPs to army officers to university dons, shaping the minds of future rulers.
The year of three kings
Sherwood Foresters: Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment 1936 (S&N, £17.45) is an annual report describing how the regiment spent the year. The first battalion was in Jamaica and Bermuda, other battalions (there were six in all) had been in Egypt and Sudan or took part in various ceremonial occasions in Britain.
As well as official duties, the diarists of each section include sporting achievements, training, the lectures the soldiery either enjoyed or had to sit through and retirements and promotions. The Manitoba Rangers were allied to the Foresters and submitted a report as well. There are numerous photographs. It's a fascinating snapshot of Army life in the days of Empire and also includes articles on aspects of the regment's history and the Old Comrades Association. |
