Genealogy Forum UK

Does anybody know the usual months farm labourers might be involved in harvesting and/or threshing in the Shropshire/Staffordshire area?

Reason I am asking is that I often come across married Farm Labourers living away from their families during census time in the 1840s to 1860s.

Quite often they are only a few miles away from where their wife and children are living.

Hi Mark

1851-1901 the census was taken on dates between 30 March and 5th April. That is not the time for harvesting in England (August mainly I think). Lambing would be full on I suppose in late March/April. And there must have been some ploughing and sowing. Spring is a very busy time too.
Do you think they were away just at that time of year or more generally away most of the year, where ever the work could be had?

In Staffordshire, generally harvesting took place August/September.
but Haymaking could start in June and then with reasonable weather
a second cutting could be got in.

Kids keep popping out so I assume husbands and wives get together occasionally.

If it was just one family I would ignore it but it occurs quite often.