The Public Record Office’s online version of the 1901 census now has a “search by address” facility. As a joint owner of an 1860s house, this intrigued me. Apart from a coincidence of residence, I have no connection with the people who lived here 102 years ago, but there’s something humbling about the thought of all the families coming and going during this house’s long life.
So, anyway… back in 1901, this house was occupied by William Gilbert, a plumber by trade, his wife Rebecca and their seven children. Yes, seven children. The eldest son, William, was 24 and working as a painter, while second son Arthur had already joined his father in the plumbing business, despite being only 15. Eldest daughter Ellen, aged 20, was working as a domestic servant. There were two more boys and two more girls, ranging in age from 5 to 13.
Think about that one more time. There were *nine* people living as permanent residents in this house in 1901. This is not a big house. The original structure definitely included two downstairs rooms (now a living room and dining room) and two upstairs rooms (a bedroom and the Spaghetti Factory). The extension (kitchen downstairs, bathroom upstairs) may have been there, maybe not. Whatever, this space is now filled by two people, and we often wonder whether we’re filling the house with too much crap…