In the early 1900's The new industrial revolution brought many changes to the social and economic structure of Britain. One result was a tremendous growth of the middle classes , they became small businessmen and shopkeepers. They were well aware they were only one step away from bankruptcy, so they sought ways of making their rise more obvious and in this way more solid, by an ostentatious outward show. It became very important to cover up any working class origins. The middle class woman, through her manner and dress became a symbol of her husband's success. By herself she had no real status. Legally dependant on a man, either father, husband or male guardian, she could own no property or money or in the case of a divorce, keep control of her children. In many ways the middle class woman was as powerless as her female servant. (A few words from this fascinating booklet)

The Docks have always been viewed as a male preserve, but it should be noted that women have consistently played a vital role within that environment. Sailmakers, nurses, ships cleaners and canteen assistants are just a few of the many varied jobs undertaken by women at the docks. On the ships that sailed from the Port were laundresses, stewardesses, children's nurses and croupiers. On the other side of the dock wall, along the Dock Road, warehouses and factories, established in Liverpool solely because of the Port, depended on the female workforce to clean and darn the canvas cargo bags, to process the sugar cane , to shred and pack tobacco leaves into cigarettes. Like much working class history, women's work is taken for granted. (Extract from "Women's Work on the Waterfront")

Between the wars, a visit to the doctor cost on average 2s 6d a visit. This meant such services were well out of reach of ordinary households. In the case of childbirth a midwife was much cheaper but usually the skills of a local good woman were depended on. A woman from the neighbourhood whose expertise was based on experience and the number of deliveries performed , not on medical training. (Can You Hear the Heart Beat?)

(The cover illustration and cartoons in this booklet were designed by Helen Spedding. Helen is the daughter of Doris, who helped write the booklet below, "Help Your Mam All You Can.")

This booklet is full of memories of eldest daughters in large families. (Not all happy) ......Doris was the eldest of eleven children. Her father was a dock labourer , her mother had more than enough work to do at home with her family. Doris's memories are not happy " I didn't have a childhood really, wherever I went I had three or four children with me" Doris was anxious to explain that she did not blame her mother for her situation, it was just circumstance. Flo's father was a timekeeper and she was the eldest of three. Flo and her sister had plenty of time to play as they were not expected to help in the home. She took piano lessons for a few years but she did not want to practice, and has regretted it ever since.

Some of us in the group had had little or no personal contact with black people before doing this research but now we have had cause to seriously examine our views and attitudes. Listening to the women we talked to opened our minds, raised our awareness and gave us a new understanding. We have also had to consider our use of language and think about the implications of terms such as `half-caste` and `coloured`. We hope our small booklet will help other people like us to become more informed and enlightened.

If you would like more information about these booklets , or the Women's History course contact: Eileen Kelly, Second Chance to Learn, City College, Clarence Street, Liverpool L3 5TP or ring 0151 708 0423 ext.128

An interesting site to be found at Albany, New York State, is the Colonial Albany Social History Project - An Early Albany Girlhood: Mothers and Daughters in the City 200 Years Ago.