I think that is the biggest surprise of all in my researches - how old many of my ancestors were when they died. I was brought up on the myth that everyone died at 40 but as Nell says, once they'd got past the dangers of childbirth and/or childhood, they went on to mostly a good old age, 70s, 80s and 90s not uncommon. And yes, the move from country to town killed them off,mostly from tb.
Of course, old age can be a curse rather than a blessing but I am cheered by my 3 x ggm, who took over the lighthouse on the death of her husband and was still climbing over 100 stone steps four times a day at age 92.
OC
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