TNA Podcast: Sources for tracing agricultural labourers

A comprehensive presentation given last July at TNA by Mark Pearsall, Principal Records Specialist - Family History

He makes the case that agricultural labourers, known variously prior to the 1841 census as husbandman, farm servant, farm labourer or by their specific role such as carter, are far from boring and that you can trace them and/or find out about their lives.

This talk emphasizes the records of the old and new Poor Law, and other types such as those of farms and manors. These may be available in The National Archives, parish and county records, and manor, estate and farm sources. Knowing where to look is often an issue, one where improved catalogues are helping the researcher.


http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/podcasts/