One says that in the 1881 census for St Albans Abbey Parish there were some 500 people linked to the industry.
I had not realised that St Albans was a centre for the straw hat industry. I think we always associate Luton because the football team are called the hatters but there were obviously a great many in St Albans also connected to the industry.
Hope this helps your general research.
Cheers Denise
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LAWRENCE - Gt Hormead, HUTCHIN - Albury, CARTER/CARTER CLAY - St Albans/Stanstead Abbotts, BURTON - Hoddesdon, WARD - Hunsdon, BEARD - Ware, LEE - Cripplegate/Glemsford