International Women's Day

 Thinking about some of the wonderful women in my family tree today.

My mother, who left the family home in Ireland at the age of 14 to come to England to a job arranged by her Aunt. She'd never been outside County Roscommon and now left not just the county but the country. The Geordie accent must have been a huge change from the Irish one she was used to! She went to live in hospital accommodation with people she didn't know and didn't see her mother, sisters or brothers again for years. She took everything in her stride including WW2, marrying and having children, financial constraints, disability, illness and widowhood - nothing stopped her living the best life she could and being an amazing grandmother and great-grandmother who's still missed.


My maternal grandmother who brought up 6 children in a 2 roomed cottage with no running water.

My paternal grandmother who watched her husband and sons leave for the pit each morning never knowing whether an accident would mean it was the last time she'd see them.

My aunt who lived with us when I was small and made every single dress or skirt that I owned while she was with us. I still remember the excitement of going to a shop and realising that I didn't have to stand still with pins scratching my knees while a hem was pinned up, but could have a dress ready made!

Further back were the women who went with their husbands to Australia to the goldfields of Victoria, leaving behind family and friends for the promise of a new life.

A salute to all of you. Your stories are being remembered.

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