Migration to Fletton 1841-1911: An Exploration of Family Migration, the Creation of Community and Social Mobility through Marriage

The geography and geology, of the parish of Fletton, attracted the railways and brickyards. To enable these industries to grow and develop workers were needed. Using Ravenstein’s Laws as an initial starting point, this thesis will initially explore the composition and context of the migrants, who came to Fletton.

However, migration research should be more than statistical analysis. As Pooley and Turnbull commented migration research should concentrate on viewing migration ‘as a process of social and cultural change’ which affected ‘both individuals and communities’. Therefore this thesis will seek to place the individual migrant and their family at the heart of the process of migration and within the New and Old Fletton communities.
To achieve this, record linkage will be used to create longitudinal migration narratives of Fletton inhabitants. These will be used to address issues which have previously been side lined or ignored through pressures of time and purpose.

The migration narrative of the individual within their family context will enable the exploration of family migration. The equally important story of the stayer will be revealed, without which the migrant’s experience cannot be fully appreciated. The link between migration and community will be re-established, so they can be considered together, not as separate entities. Joining this dialogue will be an appraisal of the impact of marriage. Marriage will be viewed as part of a longer transaction; including marriage horizons, the marriage market, social and occupational mobility through marriage, impact of marriage on community and the destination of the couple after marriage. This methodology will enable the study of Fletton to be a valuable addition in the breadth of migration and community research.