Literacy
Those left behind
|
Background I was quite surprised when I started out on the family history to come across evidence that some of my ancestors were illiterate. I was inclined to take it for granted that everyone could read and write, as certainly can all the family today. I had not allowed for the absence of universal schooling or the subordinate role of women some 150 years ago. And initially it was the women who were turning up as illiterate. However, that pattern was not sustained and further research turned up some illiterate males as well. I suspect that each case was really individual and so I have set out the names seriatim below and the circumstances surrounding them. In fairness and given the circumstances of the time, I am surprised, on reflection, at how little illiteracy has turned up in the family overall. Sara Rankin 1846-1906 Sara was born in Queen's County (Laois) and came to Dublin before 1866 when she was a domestic servant. She was illiterate when she married Christopher Burgess in that year. She was still illiterate twenty years later when reporting the birth of her daughter Tess. However, when it came to the 1901 census, where the form was filled by her husband, she was apparently able to read and write. Bridget Jordan 1835-1904 Bridget originally hailed from Sligo but was living in Ballina when she married Luke Reilly in 1864, at which time she could not write her name. She is shown holding a book in the only photo I have of her. She is reported by her husband in the 1901 census as being able to read and write. Thomas O'Brien b. bef. 1855 Thomas is recorded as being unable to write his name when he married Kate Condren in 1876. This would be very surprising in a man who had been a policeman for seven years. There is no annotation to suggest he was illiterate in 1882 when he reported the birth of his daughter Mary Kate. Kate Condren b. bef. 1855 Kate was also recorded as illiterate when she married Thomas in 1876. In fact, both the best man and the bridesmaid at that wedding were also illiterate. I have no other records relating to Kate. Mary Walsh 1831-aft.1911 Mary was Ellen Brennan's mother and grandmother of PJ Medlar. She is recorded as being illiterate when registering PJ's birth in 1885. She is recorded as being able to read and write in both the 1901 (reported by her husband) and 1911 (reported by her son) censuses. John Dwyer b. 1850 Johnny was not able to write his name when he married in 1898. He is reported in the 1901 census (by his mother) as being illiterate and in the 1911 census (by himslf) as being able to read and write (copperplate). However, he is shown to be illiterate in an application to purchase land in a document that seems to be dated 1911. Patrick Dwyer b. 1809 Old Patrick Dwyer (probably a great granduncle) is reported in the 1901 census as not being able to read (and by implication write) at the age of 92. |