Elizabeth Anne Galton's mind was as sharp and enquiring in her nineties, when Edward VII was King, as it had been in her youth during the Regency period. Her long life fitted almost exactly into the 19th century and, in the fascinating reminiscences from which this book is taken, she chronicled its changes with an observant eye. She was a devout philanthropic woman, much influenced by her Quaker relations, but her strong principles were leavened with a great sense of fun.

A list of her friends, relations and acquaintances reads like a scientific, financial and commercial 'Who's Who'. She was the daughter of an influential Birmingham banker who managed the city's affairs as High Bailiff – today's equivalent of Mayor. Through him she was related to many families of importance including the Barclays, Frys, Gurneys and Lloyds, in addition to those like the Wedgwoods whose forebears had helped to make the Industrial Revolution.

Elizabeth Anne's brother, Sir Francis Galton FRS, is regarded as the founder of the science of eugenics. Among his other accomplishments he pioneered the use of fingerprints as a method of identification. She and the great Charles Darwin shared a common grandfather, Erasmus Darwin FRS, who was the moving spirit in the famous group of scientists, the Lunar Society of Birmingham – nick-named the "Lunaticks". These illustrious men and their friends appear in her memoirs in a very human light.

In 1838, Elizabeth Anne attended Queen Victoria's Coronation at Westminster Abbey, which she described at the time as the happiest day of her life. In 1897, as a spritely 89-year-old, she watched Victoria's ("very long") Diamond Jubilee celebration procession as it passed through London.

Her memoirs have been edited by Andrew Moilliet, a descendant of her sister Lucy. There are gems of all kinds on every page, including the defeat of Bonaparte, dancing bears, highwaymen, the first trains, the 'science' of phrenology, life at a Regency spa, her 'season' as a debutante, the death of George III, a lavish dinner for the Duke of Wellington, his grand public funeral – and the blissful arrival of elastic shoulder-straps for stiffly-corseted women...

To assist genealogists and local historians the book has been comprehensively indexed by the editor. The index can be consulted on-line, so that you can see if there is mention of a person, place or event of interest to you. To access the Index, click here

He and his wife have three grown-up children and two grandchildren.

       "I shall miss my daily commute accompanied by Elizabeth Anne Galton. This book invites the reader into the household of Elizabeth, her extended family and many acquaintances. I have shared Elizabeth's moments of unbridled enthusiasm at the Coronation of Queen Victoria, and heartbreak on the passing of her father.
        "Travelling by coach, rail and steam packet we arrive at numerous destinations, meeting friends, relations and experiencing events that 'come alive' on account of Elizabeth's descriptive and personal recollections.
        "When I finally turned the last page of the postscript written by Elizabeth's daughter, Lucy Studdy, I felt as though I had lost someone close, for it is the experience of Elizabeth's life and those with whom she comes into contact that runs though this book, which makes it, for me, so enjoyable.
        "Andrew Moilliet, through careful editing of this work, has provided the opportunity to experience these reminiscences in a format that makes for their ease of reading, whilst retaining the 'diary' aspect of the original work." - Andrew C. B. Lethbridge (08/02/04)

Not everyone can boast a family history containing an ancestry that could claim to save been among the movers and shakers of its time and it's even more rare for a member of that family to have kept it all concealed in the pages of a diary. Elizabeth Anne Galton was a devout philanthropic Quaker who moved in well-oiled 19th century social circles. The daughter of an influential Birmingham banker, she was related to many notable families in the industrial Midlands and her family ties read like a 19th century "Who's Who".
Names such as the Barclays, the Frys, the Darwins, Buxtons and Lloyds as well as the Wedgwoods keep cropping up. She's not afraid to namedrop either.
The book is edited by Andrew Moilliet, a descendent of Elizabeth's sister Lucy. A collection of diary entries and letters written mainly by Elizabeth but also by other family members, it's a great example of how valuable diaries can be to later generations and even for historians or anyone interested in the stories of real people from our past. Elizabeth's entries are rich with information that reflects not only the history of the period in which she lived, but also the quirks and eccentricities of everyday family members and life in general.
There are a few gems such as:
“Theodore Moilliet married, for his second wife, Miss Townsend, daughter of the Reverend Charles Townsend, Rector of Castle Bromwich, who had a large family, all exceedingly tall. Mrs Townsend was six feet four and could not walk in Birmingham, she was so followed as a sight.”
There are also intriguing references to dignitaries and in particular, royalty...
“On 14th June, 1858, Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort came to stay at Stoneleigh Abbey...Very early next day [the Queen] drove quietly with Lord Leigh to see the parks and then went to Birmingham to open (I think) the Aston Hall Grounds. Birmingham was splendidly decorated for the occasion. The manufacturers, one and all, put out their fires for the day, that there might be no smoke. Many of the flags were of velvet and the posts were gilt. The devices most loyal, one which amused the Queen was 'God bless Prince Albert the pride of the nation, May he come to no harm when he goes from the station.' The next day she left Stoneleigh to lunch at Warwick Castle.”
The book, being well indexed, doubles up as a historical reference tool and features many photos and pictures. It may not be to everyone's taste as a particular family history is always more interesting to its immediate family members but this is a bit different. The everyday references to the names of the period give it a more general historical perspective and after all, provide us all with a great example of what drives us in our research – to find out more about the lives of our ancestors.
Your Family Tree Magazine, March 2004

All in all, I found this a very enjoyable and instructive read. EJN
Manchester Genealogist, Volume 40, No 2, 2004 Page 175

Family historians with connections to the influential families, particularly the Quakers, of Birmingham in the first part of the 19th century will find much here of direct interest, and anyone else with an interest in Birmingham and Leamington during the 19th century would find this an interesting and informative read.    ... and, an unusual welcome touch, a detailed index of the contents is available on-line at "www.leoniepress.com".
The Midland Ancestor, March 2004 Page 507