Was There Much Difference Between the Homes of the Victorian Rich and Poor?

PRO Ref: Source 1 - OS 6" Map London XXI, Source 3 - RG12 / 284 f.81-82, Source 5 - RG11 / 303 f.66 Hackney Archives Ref: Source 2 - P8691 161A, Source 4 - P8691.166

Pupils are given a through-the-keyhole look at Victorian homes in this Snapshot. Starting from the macro level - a small section of a map of Hackney - pupils examine photographic evidence and then census material to unearth details of home life.

Teachers may wish to ease their pupils gently into working with the census returns. They can be asked to look first at column headings, then down the columns. The list of occupants is also worth discussion, as are terms such as 'Nursing' which have changed their meanings - to wet nursing in this case.

Although the tasks do not directly ask pupils to make comparisons, it is likely that they will do so anyway. The largest differences are between the photos.

The activity presented here can be extended with illustrations of the interiors of rich and poor housing. The line drawing below can be utilised in this way.

What was it like for children living in Victorian Britain? KS 2/3

How did life change in our locality in Victorian Times? KS 2/3

Hackney Archives has developed a visual database called Hackney on Disk, which is one of the most advanced digital image systems in the UK. Hackney on Disk allows customers to view pictures and maps on terminals at the Archives searchroom and Sutton House.