1921 census – a tale of 2 great grandfathers
- 10th February 2025
The 1921 census is now available on Findmypast.co.uk which can be accessed by customers in The Hive for free, and on Ancestry which can be accessed for free within all Worcestershire Libraries. What a great time to take another look at your family history and add the next level of information.
Taken in June 1921, the census includes additional information to former census returns. On this form, you can learn more about how ancestors were employed, and by who, which helps build a picture of a small community, as well as tracing where ancestors lived and what they were doing in 1921.
One of our archive assistants has been looking at two branches of her tree to compare her great grandparents. One great grandfather originated in Lincolnshire, and the other in Worcestershire. This example is a tale of two men, who in 1921 were unrelated yet. Both worked in agriculture but in different ways.
The Hawkins family of Lincolnshire 
Thomas Hawkins was an agricultural worker. He had been born in Baumber, Lincolnshire. Census returns from different years show that the family had moved along the road towards Lincoln each time a new baby came along, as he took up a new post at a new farm, at East Kirkby, Scrafield, Edlington and Baumber where the family settled in Lincoln Road, and where they appear in 1921.
The 1921 census shows Thomas was working as a “farm labourer” for a Mr Harrison. Many others in the village also work for Mr Edmund Harrison, who lived at Baumber Park with his two sisters Louise and Evelyn. The house is now a beautiful Bed and Breakfast. Edmund Harrison also employed John William Perry and William Waite as Garthmen (keepers of livestock in a paddock), Frank Perry as a horseman, and Mr Lamming and his family as farmers and horsemen.
The Ganderton Family of Worcestershire
Charles Sidney Ganderton, the other great grandfather, was a farmer in Broadwas, near Worcester. Charles was listed in 1921 at Brook Farm, as a farmer and employer. A little further research through the village (by clicking the left and right buttons in the census) show us who was working for the Gandertons of Brook Farm.
Mr Ganderton employed Thomas Harwood, 39, a farm labourer who lived with his widowed mother, wife and children. Mrs Ganderton also employed 19 year old domestic servant May Elsie Mapp who lived at home with her parents in the village.
It has been interesting to see that one great grandfather was an employer, while the other was employed on a large farm, and to be able to trace the others who worked alongside them. Thus, the 1921 census has helped reveal a new layer to a local family history.
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