Ancestors lost in the crowd?
New to family history research?
Perhaps these articles on our website may help:
Census 1841 - 1911

Birth, Death and Marriage Registration

The London Gazette

Newspaper archives

Trade Directories

History of Brightlingsea

Brightlingsea, Sailing Barges 1907, Essex
Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection.

History of Brightlingsea >> Education in Brightlingsea

Education in Brightlingsea

Reports and returns on schools and education in Brightlingsea. These allow a glimpse into the education your ancestors may have received if they were from this parish.

1818

"Population 1020. A school, containing 12 children; the master of whom has £10 per annum, with a house and garden; the funds are the interst of £130 3%, and the rent of an oyster-laying. A Sunday school and four day schools. The poor have the means of education, but appear very indifferent in taking advantage of them."

Source: Digest of Parochial Returns. Select Committee on Education of the Poor, 1818

1833

"Population 1,784. Four Infant Schools, wherein 40 males and 46 females are instructed at the expense of their parents. Six Daily Schools, containing 120 males and 107 females, one of which is endowed for educating 16 males, the remainder of these children are paid for by their parents. Three Sunday Schools: in one of which (commenced 1833) are 135 children who attend the Established Church; another (commenced 1831) consists of 105 children and is connected with Swedenborgians; the other (commenced since 1818) appertains to Wesleyans, and is attended by 50 children; these Schools (wherein are 138 males and 152 females) are supported by subscription."

Source: House of Commons papers, Volume 41. Abstract of Education Returns 1833

1846

"Population 2055. 4th November. 18 children present. On my former visit I found two schools; the boys' school is now closed, and the mistress uses the school-room as an apartment. The instruction of the 18 children in the girls' school is utterly inefficient. None can read easy sentences without mistakes, or answer simple questions on the commonest subjects."

Source: Minutes of the Committee of Council on Education by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, Volume 1, 1846

Back to History of Brightlingsea

Are your ancestors from this location? Why not tell us their story. When were they here? Who were they? What they did they do? Where did they go? Have you an interesting story to tell about them?

Go to the home page of the parish, village or town, and follow the 'My Ancestors' link halfway down the page.