Servants,What can be found?

[gazza]

I was wondering if anybody has found any method of gaining more information about any rellies that may have worked in service. I suppose those that worked in the more well-to-do households that some paper records may have existed or still exist.
Is there anything else that I might not have thought of? Any experiences anyone?
Regds
Gazza

[mc8]

Not sure if you are trying to locate them or get more detail. In ancestry you can specify the relationship to head of household. Putting servant here will draw up relevant names of those in service in the censuses

[gazza]

Hi Mc8, just trying to get more detail to maybe help find them post 1901. Got a relly for example ,last found in 1901 census as a servant in household in Wisbech.

[mc8]

would it be worth looking for the will of the houseowner?
Monique

[gazza]

Yes , a good idea Monique. are you thinking that maybe something may be left to the servants in the will? Is that what you mean?

[mc8]

Its a possibility-or they may have made some reference to them-thanks for service, pension?

[LFS]

If the servants are in a reasonably large household it's worth looking in the local library for books on the locality - the ones full of old photos - you might find a photo of the house complete with servants.  Some large household even had paintings done of their servants if you're lucky.  I've got a lovely photo of my gggf who was gardener at Kingstanding Hall near Burton on Trent, not a particularly large house and completely forgotten by most people - it was cleared during the war as it was in the way of an airfield.  It's worth checking.
Linda

[loo]

I have been wondering about this too.  I have one who is a "gentleman".  Judging from where he lives and all the other rellies, he wouldn't have been a man of independent means, but more likely a gentleman's gentleman, or valet or something like that.  Problem is that I don't know who he worked for, or how to find out.  ?

[gazza]

Good Ideas Linda,thanks for that.
I'm not sure Loo how you would find out other than the census. I'm sure some of the others will have some further ideas. Watch this space.
Gazza