by M Neighbour | 18 May 2014 | Smallford History
1911 is the most recent census available to us, as the records are retained in secret for 100 years. However, the gap between it and recent times is relatively small, and other data is available to us to summarise changes in employment more recently. The popularity...
by M Neighbour | 18 May 2014 | Smallford History
From 1911 occupations became more varied still, with opportunities to travel away to work: bookbinders and printers in St Albans, and motor fitters and brewers in Hatfield. The motor trade also came to Horseshoes! William Sheppard was blacksmithing at Wilkins Green...
by M Neighbour | 18 May 2014 | Smallford History
In 1901 was the first evidence of a school teacher, an author, a carman, bricklayers, woodman and an electrician. So the range of occupations was widening, and therefore the skill levels of a proportion of them. Some labouring occupations became more specialised:...
by M Neighbour | 18 May 2014 | Smallford History
In 1891 the many straw plaiters and hat makers had gone – not a single one left; women instead became dressmakers, housekeepers and farm servants instead. The latter were probably employed in the dairy parlours on farms which had turned from mixed to dairy farms....
by M Neighbour | 18 May 2014 | Smallford History
In 1881 one occupation was suddenly absent: one of the last turnpikes to be closed was the Reading and Hatfield Trust at the end of 1880, responsibility for maintenance now being vested in the Highways Board. So, the Simpkins family were out of toll collecting work....
by M Neighbour | 18 May 2014 | Smallford History
By 1871 there was an increase in the number of (Brazilian) hat makers, possibly indicating a more mature market for these products. As with straw plaiting, whereas previously only the wives were identified with the activity, now the daughters were active participants,...