Case Study D – Wakefield

1. Look at Source One and answer these questions.

Source one- 1921 Census record- The National Archives (RG15/22493)

• Why do you think James is ‘out of work’ and might find it difficult to find a job? What effect could this have on the family?
• What kinds of things do you think Emily sells as a ‘grocer’?
• What does Alfred’s job reveal about travel in the 1920s?
• Who is doing the job ‘home duties’? Why did house work take longer in the 1920s?
• What else can you learn about the family?

2. What questions do you have about this family that are not answered by the census record? Write these down and keep them.

3. Study Sources Two to Four and answer these questions.

Source Two- Trade directory for Wakefield (list of names and jobs) 1927

• Can you find James Whittam on the list? What can you learn about other jobs in Wakefield?

Source Three- Record of Service and army Medical form- The National Archives

• What do these documents reveal about Alfred Whittam?

Source Four- Grocer’s form- West Yorkshire Archive Service (C1323)

• What does this show about the type of food grocer’s sold?

4. Look at the questions you wrote earlier. Check which ones have been answered by the other sources. What further questions do you have about the family or life in the 1920s?