Nothing Christmassy to report today but a number of my writer friends are publishing page 69 of their novels and commenting whether they think it is typical of the book as a whole. So here is Barefoot page 69 for those who haven’t read it. Maybe those who have can decide if it is typical – it is probably cheerier than some parts! If you do want a paperback copy, I am on a mission to dispose of a least one more box before Christmas, so please contact me (post free in the UK). The pile behind the settee is currently distressingly uneven! Of course if you are a e-reader person you will need to go to the large online retailer I’m afraid. All the links on on the Barefoot on the Cobbles page.

Barefoot on the Cobbles page 69

Polly was always careful that they had sufficient money ready for rent day. Albert trusted her to ensure that they did not get in to debt, not an easy task when a fisherman’s income was so uncertain. He knew that she remembered Mrs Powell’s anguish and fretted when their savings ran low. The carefully harvested shillings in the brown jug were their nest-egg, something to fall back on in hard times.

‘’Twill not be for long Pol,’ he assured her. ‘The fishin’s been good of late, so I’ll soon earn enough to pay it back.’

Polly cut a thick, uneven slice from the loaf that she held close to her waist. She wielded the knife in a sideways motion, sawing the sharp blade back and forth towards her own body but Albert was not alarmed, this was her normal habit. She smeared a generous dab of dripping across the rough surface and handed it to her husband with a smile, thankful that Alb was such a good provider. She had chosen well.

By the time the message came to say that the boat was ready, Polly was able to give her husband a pile of florins and half crowns to take to Appledore. Albert left early to walk the fourteen miles to the ship-builders’ yard. Strapped to his back was a pair of oars, he would need those for the return journey. Polly’s father had worked for Philip Waters for years, this would be a sturdy boat that would suffice for as long as Albert was able to put out to sea. He had years left to him yet, his grandfather had hauled pots until he was in his eighties and was still hand lining until his death, a few years ago.

And today’s advent favourite family history website entry (actually it is three websites, so a bonus!) E is for Ecclesiastical Census.

In Britain, in 1851, an ecclesiastical census accompanied the regular census. A series of questions were sent to the leaders of all congregations, of whatever denomination. The returns describe, for each place of worship, the location, date of erection or foundation, the name of the minister and the size of the congregation on 30th March 1851. The originals are at The National Archives in Class HO129, arranged by county and Poor Law Union. These are available as free digital downloads. The Scottish returns are at the National Archives for Scotland. The returns have been published for some counties. For background, see here. The full report can also be downloaded. Some of those filling in the entries included fascinating comments, often excuses as to why attendance was lower than usual. Strangely, no one seemed to claim that they had more worshippers than average on 31 March!

Here is the entry for South Molton Chapel:

‘Independent Chapel, South Molton, Devon. Built about 1600, re erected and enlarged 1833 200 free sittings, 310 other sittings and standing room for 40. 258 attended on the morning of 30^th March 1851 with 52 in the Sunday School. In the evening 200 attended. Comment –  ‘the afternoon is devoted to teaching in the Sabbath School when the number of children is much greater than in the morning, as many of the attendants live in the country and are seldom present in the evening.’ ’

Many of the entries in this year’s advent calendar are based on my book Family Historian’s Enquire Within. I would be very grateful if anyone in the UK wanting to buy a copy would get in touch with me directly (there will be no charge for UK postage). I am trying to free up book storage space ready for novel two arriving!