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I started watching this PBS show a couple weeks ago when it was supposed to be 1850 (I think). Now it's up to 1880 (they progress a decade a week) and things are getting worse for the families, not better. Victorian England was not a very pleasant place for some.
They must make their rent money every single week by working 16-18 hours a day for a pittance. And no money for food. Terrible conditions. And the wealthy go on "holiday" and go "slumming" to see how these folks live, to intrude on them, to gauk at them, and make fun of them.
My ancestors lived in Liverpool, England in the 1840s. I sincerely hope, but don't know, if they were from one of these slums. So far my genealogy seach has provided no answers.
Oh yes! it's been quite eye-opening, even for the participants as well. The building they're using certainly is a grim place, isn't it? And the "tours" that were given in last night's episode of the slum lifestyle to the "gentry" were startling, although I already knew that tours were given of Bedlam so the gentry could be amused by the "loonies", even before Victorian times. Seems like suffering has been a great source of entertainment for a long time!
Caught some of it here and there the other day. One thing that stuck out at me as being a missing component (that I'm not sure they could recreate anyway), is the dirt and filth that seemed so prevalent in large cities at that time. London's terrible air quality, soot and smog, rodent and insect infestation etc. Those issues were major detriments to the overall health and quality of life at that time.
However, I saw very little of the show itself, so maybe those issues were mentioned and I missed it.
I really liked it as I'm a history buff. Even though I've read quite a bit about the era, seeing it (even though a bit "sanitized") really brought home the rigors of life in those days. No wonder the lifespan was shorter then. If you weren't tough, both physically and mentally, you wouldn't survive for long.
I especially love that the child participants are having to do what kids their age would have had to do to survive - work equally as hard as their parents. What a great life lesson for them! I'd love to learn in a few years what they feel about having participated in the show.
I'm definitely going to buy the DVDs so I can re-watch.
One of my thoughts while watching this program was....
Joining the British army or the Royal Navy , was a way out of the slums.
Yes it was a regimented life, with punishment for theft or desertion, but is also offered security, meals and pay, and in some cases basic education. "Taking the Kings shilling " was the expression for enlistment for a 10 year period of time. Most Regiments would be sent to the various overseas postings for at least 5 years at a time. Imagine the 18 year old lad from Manchester sent to Jamaica ? Or to India ?
Many ex soldiers took advantage of the offers of free land grants in Canada, to begin a new life . 120 acres of land and basic tools. Make a new life, and forget about the " old country ". Of course in many cases the 120 acres was virgin forest, that was made up of 120 foot tall trees, mostly elms and oaks.
Jim B.
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