26th September 2022

'Because we were too many': food, families and schools in 1880s York

Elaine Bradshaw will be talking about our Poverty Research Group’s latest research into 19th century Nunnery Lane, in our next 'real talk' in Clements Hall, at 7.45 pm on Friday 25 November 2022. 

Please note our doors will be open at 7.30 pm for a 7.45pm start.

Why did John and Annie Dixon desert five of their six children, and what happened to them after they were sent to the workhouse?  

Poverty broke the Dixon family apart and set the children on completely different paths through life. In the 1881 Census, Tom was in the York Industrial School, sisters Ina, Nancy, Jenny and Louie were in the York Union Workhouse and baby Lila was with her parents.

Starting with the agricultural depression in the 1870s, this talk looks at the children’s life in the workhouse, the boarding out of children, and at the different kinds of education provided by National and Industrial Schools, in particular. These were Micklegate Infants and Girls, York Industrial School (for boys) and Hull Industrial School for Girls. The children had unspeakably difficult early lives. What sort of adults did they become?                                                                The old Micklegate School building today

All welcome, tea, coffee and biscuits will be available.

You can become a member of the History Group for £5 for 2022, which gives you reduced entry (£1) to talks. Non-members are also welcome, at a cost of £3 on the door.

There are a small number of free parking spaces near Clements Hall. It is also easily accessible by buses stopping in Blossom Street (walk along Moss Street opposite the Everyman Cinema).

If you have any queries please leave a message at Clements Hall on 01904 466086 or email clemhallmembership@gmail.com