INVENTIONS, discoveries and other landmarks during the Victorian era were highlighted when Rita Burstow spoke to Salisbury branch of Wiltshire Family History Society.
She began with Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne in 1837 – the same year that Oliver Twist was published, London’s first mainline rail terminus at Euston opened and the SS Great Britain was launched.
It was an important year also for family historians as it marked the introduction of compulsory registration of births, deaths and marriages, recording names, ages, professions and other information which can be used today to trace and confirm connections with previous generations.
Other significant events during Victoria’s 64-year reign such as government attempts to deal with a financial crisis, conflicts in Afghanistan, and medical and technological advances demonstrated there were issues common to both Victorian and modern times.
At its next meeting at Wilton Community centre at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 18, the branch will hear a talk of rural life before the First World War by Norman Thorne.
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