Bristol society in the later eighteenth century with special reference to the handling by computer of fragmentary historical sources
ï"żThere has been little interest in eighteenth century urban history in England and particularly in the significance of patterns of urban social structure during the transition from a traditional to a modern society. One reason for this is the intractable and fragmentary nature of the sources for this precensus period. In this study three types of source, a town directory, a Parliamentary Poll Book and the city rate and national tax returns for Bristol in 1774/5, were collated using nominal record linkage techniques to give a body of information which covered 80% of the city's heads of household. With the use of this database and various computer techniques occupation, sex, wealth, place of residence and voting allegiance were analysed. The results suggest that a professional or leisured suburban group was by this date well established in distinct areas of the city. The supremacy of the traditional Ă©lite, the overseas merchants, was challenged by this group, although the merchants themselves were in part joining the suburban dwellers. Poorer Bristolians still concentrated in dockside parishes and in parts of the city which were becoming increasingly unfashionable and homogeneous as the richer men moved out,
Baigent, Elizabeth
Cities and towns ; History ; Data processing ; Social conditions ; England ; 18th century ; Bristol (England)
Bristol society in the later eighteenth century with special reference to the handling by computer of fragmentary historical sources. ï"żThere has been little interest in eighteenth century urban history in England and particularly in the significance of patterns of urban social structure during the transition from a traditional to a modern society. One reason for this is the intractable and fragmentary nature of the sources for this precensus period. In this study three types of source, a town directory, a Parliamentary Poll Book and the city rate and national tax returns for Bristol in 1774/5, were collated using nominal record linkage techniques to give a body of information which covered 80% of the city's heads of household. With the use of this database and various computer techniques occupation, sex, wealth, place of residence and voting allegiance were analysed. The results suggest that a professional or leisured suburban group was by this date well established in distinct areas of the city. The supremacy of the traditional Ă©lite, the overseas merchants, was challenged by this group, although the merchants themselves were in part joining the suburban dwellers. Poorer Bristolians still concentrated in dockside parishes and in parts of the city which were becoming increasingly unfashionable and homogeneous as the richer men moved out,
bristol society special_reference handle computer fragmentary historical_source little_interest urban history england particularly significance pattern urban social_structure transition traditional modern_society one_reason intractable fragmentary nature source period study three_type source town directory parliamentary poll book city rate national tax return bristol org collate use nominal record linkage technique give body information cover city head household use database various computer technique occupation sex wealth place residence voting allegiance analyse suggest professional suburban group date well_establish distinct area city supremacy traditional lite overseas merchant challenge group although merchant part join suburban dweller still concentrate parish part city_become increasingly homogeneous rich men move