Product Ref: FHF-219
My Ancestor was an ...agricultural labourer by Ian Waller (2nd Edition)
Click to zoom
The second edition of My Ancestor Was an Agricultural Labourer by Ian Waller is a richly expanded guide that sheds light on one of the most overlooked yet essential segments of British ancestry. Often referred to as “ag labs,” agricultural labourers made up a vast portion of the population—especially during the 19th century—and this book helps family historians uncover their stories.
Waller explores the daily lives, skills, and seasonal rhythms of rural workers, from ploughing and sowing to harvesting. He also delves into the records that can reveal their histories, including tithe schedules, manorial rolls, estate papers, quarter sessions, and trade union documents. The book covers a wide range of related topics such as child labour, dairy maids, thatchers, rural riots, and migration. It even includes a bibliography and a list of Parliamentary Bills that shaped their working lives.
This edition is not just a research guide—it’s also a compelling piece of social history, offering context and colour to the lives of those who worked the land.
ISBN-9781907199592