Join us for the November Family Tree Study Club meeting, at which Patricia Sears will be presenting on the topic of her research into the tough, cramped living conditions in an East London Victorian slum
On 30 September 1888, the body of Elizabeth Stride, one of Jack the Ripper’s victims, was discovered in East London. Just over a mile away stood the Queen Catherine pub, behind which lay sixteen cramped dwellings known as Queen Catherine Court. By 1889, the medical officer for Limehouse had condemned the court as “unfit for human habitation.” Yet for decades, families—including Patricia’s own ancestors—had lived and struggled there, their stories woven into the fabric of East London’s history.
In this talk, Patricia Sears takes us inside the world of court and back-to-back housing, using Queen Catherine Court as a case study. Through maps, records, and first-hand accounts, she brings to life the daily realities of slum living in nineteenth-century Ratcliff. From dockside labour and lead factory work to overcrowded rooms and high infant mortality, Patricia explores not only the harsh conditions but also the resilience and interconnections of the people who called these places home. Along the way, she shares research tips and insights to help family historians uncover similar stories in their own family trees.
By attending this talk, you will learn how to:
- Trace ancestors who lived in courts and back-to-back housing using census returns, BMD records, workhouse registers, and local archives.
- Understand the social, economic, and health conditions that shaped the lives of poor families in nineteenth-century East London and other cities.
- Use maps, newspapers, Booth’s surveys, and housing records to reconstruct lost communities and bring depth to your family history research.
When & where?
The meeting will take place on Zoom, on Monday 10 November, 6.30pm (UK time)
How to join the meeting
This presentation is brought to you by Family Tree Plus.
Get your ticket for £10, or join Family Tree Plus for just £5, come along to this webinar and attend four webinars every month! Already a Family Tree Plus member? Log in now to get your link.
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