Catalogue

Title details

SN:	2000
Title:	Family Life and Work Experience Before 1918, 1870-1973
Alternative title:	Edwardians, 1870-1973
Depositor(s):	Thompson, P., University of Essex. Department of Sociology
Principal investigator(s):	Thompson, P., University of Essex. Department of Sociology Lummis, T., University of Essex. Department of Sociology
Sponsor(s):	Economic and Social Research Council

Subject Categories

Abstract

This is a qualitative study, comprising 453 qualitative interview transcripts, for the first time available as fully readable, searchable rtf files. A quantitative data file was also developed during a follow-up project to code some of the data. The major part of the collection comprises life-story interviews originally collected as part of the study The Edwardians: Family Life and Work Experience Before 1918. The interviews were undertaken in the late 1960s and early 1970s and formed the basis of the first national oral history project in the United Kingdom. A total of 453 interviews were recorded on reel-to-reel audio tape and later transcribed as typed, paper documents. The interviews were open-ended (guided by a schedule) and were between one and six hours long. In the latest version of the collection all interviews are accessible as rtf documents and a set of pdf cover sheets containing a two page summary of each interview is available. A related project, Systematic Analysis of Life Histories, is also included. The aim of this was to prepare interviews collected for the Family Life and Work Experience Before 1918 study for numerical coding shortly after completion. Additionally, this quantitative component of the collection has been enhanced. A selection of the original variables were cross-referenced for verification. The data set was then expanded to include a set of additional variables on occupation and location as well as textual summaries of the interview transcripts. The original study materials were initially archived, catalogued and disseminated by Qualidata. Full paper/microfiche transcripts are held at the National Social Policy and Social Change Archive at the University of Essex and the original sound recordings are deposited at the British Library National Sound Archive. PDF copies of the interview transcripts are available on request. Periodically new versions are released as additional data becomes available. Further information on the project is available from the Qualidata Online: The Edwardians web page.

Main Topics: The interview schedule covered: domestic routine, including the roles of husbands and children; meals; the upbringing of children; emotional relationships and values in the family; leisure; religion; politics; school; courtship and marriage; the wider family; relationships with neighbours and perception of the community structure; experience of work and occupational history of the whole family.

Coverage, universe, methodology

Time period:	01 January 1870 - 01 January 1973
Dates of fieldwork:	1969, 1973
Country:	Great Britain
Spatial units:	No spatial unit
Observation units:	Individuals Families and households
Kind of data:	Textual Numeric
Universe:	National Families Men and women born between 1870 and 1908 in England, Scotland and Wales
Time dimensions:	Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling procedures:	Quota sample derived from the occupational census of 1911, clustered and stratified by region and social class
Number of units:	453 (qualitative and quantitative)
Method of data collection:	Face-to-face interview; Compilation or synthesis of existing material
Weighting:	No weighting used

Keywords

AGE	ALCOHOLIC DRINKS	APPRENTICESHIP
ATTITUDES	AUTHORITY	BIRTH ORDER
BOARDING SCHOOLS	BOOKS	BREAST-FEEDING
CHILD CARE	CHILD WORKERS	CHILDBIRTH
CHILDHOOD	CHILDREN	CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS
CLOTHING	COOKING	CULTURAL PARTICIPATION
CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS	DISCIPLINE	DOMESTIC RESPONSIBILITIES
EDUCATIONAL ADMISSION AGE	EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND	EMPLOYERS
EMPLOYMENT	EMPLOYMENT HISTORY	ENGLAND
EVERYDAY LIFE	EXPENDITURE	FAMILIES
FAMILY INFLUENCE	FAMILY LIFE	FAMILY MEMBERS
FAMILY ROLES	FATHERS	FRIENDS
GAMBLING	GREAT BRITAIN	HOLIDAYS
HOME OWNERSHIP	HOME SEWING	HOME-GROWN FOODS
HOUSEHOLDS	HOUSEWORK	INTERGROUP RELATIONS
LANDLORDS	LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES	LIFE HISTORIES
LODGERS	MARRIAGE	MORAL CONCEPTS
MOTHERS	MUSIC	OCCUPATIONS
ORAL HISTORY	PARENT RESPONSIBILITY	PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
PARENTS	PARENT-SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP	PEER-GROUP RELATIONSHIPS
PERSONAL HYGIENE	PLAY	POCKET MONEY
POLICE SERVICES	POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP	POLITICAL INTEREST
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION	POVERTY	PUNISHMENT
RELIGIOUS ATTENDANCE	RELIGIOUS BEHAVIOUR	RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES
RELIGIOUS FOOD CUSTOMS	RESIDENTIAL MOBILITY	SAVINGS
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE	SCHOOL-LEAVING AGE	SCHOOLS
SCOTLAND	SERVANTS	SIBLINGS
SOCIAL CLASS	SOCIAL HISTORY	SOCIAL MOBILITY
SOCIAL SANCTIONS	SOCIAL SUPPORT	SPORT
SPOUSES	STUDENT EMPLOYMENT	TRADE UNION MEMBERSHIP
TRADE UNIONS	TRAINING	VISITS (PERSONAL)
WALES	WOMEN'S EDUCATION	WORKING MOTHERS

Administrative and access information

Date of release:
First edition:	01 January 1984
Latest edition:	12 May 2009 ( Edition 7 )
Copyright:	Copyright P. Thompson
Access conditions:	The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions of access for further information.
Availability:	UK Data Service
Contact:	Get in touch

Documentation

Related studies and guides

Related studies:

Family Life and Work Experience before 1918, Middle and Upper Class Families in the Early 20th Century, 1870-1977 (SN 5404)

Related case studies:

The secret battle: Emotional survival in the First World War
Liquid politics
Free trade nation

Related support guides:

Family Life and Work Experience Before 1918, 1870-1973
Thematic guide: family studies (using qualitative data)
Thematic guide: oral history (using qualitative data)
ESDS Qualidata teaching resource: exploring diverse interview types

Publications