Rebecca and the Census

The first census records to show Rebecca's family were taken in 1841. These show that they were living at Coalpit Bank, Anthony is head of the household aged 68 and Sarah is 65. Other family members are Anne aged 26, Rebecca aged 24, James aged 20 and Emily aged 2 years. James is the only member described as having a job, he is a collier and relationships within the family are not explained further.

There is more information in the 1851 census. By this time Anthony has died and Sarah is described as head of the household and her occupation is formerly miner's wife. Anne is recorded as being aged 37 and Rebecca as 35, their work is described as miner on bank. Emily is now 12 and described as a scholar, she is recorded as Sarah's grand-daughter.

By the time of the 1861 census Rebecca's life has changed quite considerably, she is now married and has two daughters of her own. We can see that she is still living on Coalpit Bank but is married to John Ratcliffe, a coalpit engine winder. Their daughters are S...? aged 8 and Elizabeth aged 7. Anne is living with Rebecca's new family as a lodger, along with Emily who is recorded as Anne's daughter. Both Anne and Emily are working as labourers at pit bank.