AIBU to ask why so much happened on Xmas Day in the 1800's?

[over2021]

... and early 1900's?

I'm doing some family tree research and seven different relatives all married on Christmas Day in the 1860's, 1890's and then 1911.

I've just finished reading a book about a Jack The Ripper and there were several referral to hatches, matches and dispatches on Christmas Day too.

So, history buffs, what am I missing?!

No days off work.

Look how many people were married on Boxing Day well into the 20th century.

Probably all to do with the fact that you couldn't hide at home under a giant pile of tech and toys, binge eating and watching tele all day.

Often churches would offer free marriages/baptisms etc on Christmas.

If you think the modern Christmas day didn't evolve until the reign of Queen Victoria, so for many people it probably wasn't as embedded into normal culture as it is now.

I research family trees and this is very common. Back in those times if you were working class and worked a manual job then Christmas Day was often the only day you had off as holiday, that’s why you’ll see so many weddings on this date.

I can’t comment on the births and deaths, I’m sure there will be some professional genealogists or those with more knowledge than me around soon to answer this

it was to do with the fact that only days a lot of working people had off were Christmas and Easter ( I don't think they did weddings on Good Friday) and maybe some other church festivals and Sundays but Churches only did baptisms on Sundays not weddings or funerals
That's why Saturday weddings became popular not so much that guests didn't need to use annual leave but that no-one had leave but by 1900 lots of people finsihed work about noon on Saturday so could change and get married or go to a wedding by 2-3pm, back then most people married in their Sunday best, the Brides dress maybe new but would be her Sunday outfit for years

I remember chatting to an old lady in the pub back in the 80’s and she had married on Christmas Day so that her and her husband could have Boxing Day as their honeymoon before going back to work 😊

In the world of soap opera it’s still happening

My Great Grandparents married on Christmas Day as it was the only whole day they had off work together.

In the same vein, Saturday football used to traditionally start at 3.00pm, as their main audience of working class men worked a half day on Saturdays and that was when they could get to the ground!

Agree, it's the one day you have when family can go to church with you and you can eat together afterwards.

Thank you! I come from a very long line of east Londoners who worked in the docks so it being the only day off makes sense!

@Starlitexpress

In the same vein, Saturday football used to traditionally start at 3.00pm, as their main audience of working class men worked a half day on Saturdays and that was when they could get to the ground!

And a match was played on Christmas Day and Boxing Day because the players had those days off work 😊