The weather on the streets - Genealogists' Forum

Phoenix · #1 23-09-16, 17:52

Idly looking at the British Newspaper Archive (as you do) and found that an ancestor living in the fens was forced to sell a young stallion because his land was flooded.
Sent the clipping to my cousin, who commented that it was a soggy part of England.
Further investigated, and found that snow and a sudden thaw had flooded various bits of England, with damage to property and loss of life.
I know I ought to look at background and events more.
It must have been devastating for my ancestor, but his poor wife had four small children, one newly buried and was six months pregnant with the next.
Anyone else found such things?

Merry · #2 23-09-16, 18:44

Not really, but I'm sure it's because I'm guilty of not looking.

My 3xg-grandfather and his mother were supposed to have been lowered from the bedroom window on the day he was born because the town had been flooded. So, if anyone can find that Witney, Oxfordshire was flooded on 1 June 1796, I'd be grateful! sounds like an unlikely time of year to me!!

kiterunner · #3 23-09-16, 19:21

They have the Oxford Journal from 4th June 1796 but it doesn't really have much local news in it.

Olde Crone · #4 23-09-16, 19:32

Merry

We had a flash flood here last Tuesday! It flooded the railway crossing and several properties were also flooded (if the number of soggy carpets out for the bin men I any guide,lol). So the time of year doesn't mean anything

OC

Merry · #5 23-09-16, 19:47

it would take a lot for me to climb out of an upstairs window if I'd just delivered a baby! Actually, I think they were supposed to have climbed into a boat rather than being lowered down, so it must have been a big flood. He should have been called Noah, perhaps??!

Shona · #6 23-09-16, 22:23

I have read some 19th-century school logs books from Argyllshire which give quite detailed weather report. Love comments like: Poor attendance due to the bitterness of the weather and lack of peat to heat the schoolroom. Pupils lack decent boots to walk to lessons.

Nell · #7 28-09-16, 17:08

I did find there was some flooding in Holloway, London, in 1879 - it was mentioned on the same paper that reported the inquest on my gt grandfather, Thomas Matthews, who died 1st May.