I Remember - Anne Milburn

"I Remember" - a commonly used phrase followed by memories of the author, her parents and grandparents relating to life in the mining communities of the North East of England.

The author writes:

I feel very fortunate that I had the privilege of growing up in a close family, and as a result have many memories and photographs, both my own and those of my parents and grandparents.

I am not an author/storyteller in the accepted sense of the word; I never got higher than a C for my English compositions. I have simply put pen to paper and written down both my memories and memories entrusted to me.

This book is in essence a rambling dialogue as the author might have related it to her grandchildren.

It relates the highs and lows in the lives of three generations of one family.

The occupations of the menfolk varied and included - Blacksmith, Police Constable in 1870s to 1880s, Coal miners, Joiners, Mechanics, one even served in R.F.C. in Egypt (1st WW).

The women of the family were all in service before they were married, all that is except the author who trained as a Teacher.

Without specific comparisons the social changes are obvious, very evident are those in life style, clothing & schooling.

Particularly interesting are the references to - home remedies, superstitions/traditions, entertainments before the advent of TV and links with the Co-op Society.

The text is abundantly illustrated with over 250 photos/documents dating from as early as 1875 up to 1962.

Photos include lots of people & places known to the family, and school photos from 1880s to 1960s.

Although the family came from a wider area, the author grew up in NW Durham.