Nurse Aird’s Own Hand

Research efforts for the past several weeks have been to disambiguate an album of 200+ English postcards from the early 20th century. Having organized them alphabetically, we took a quick trip back in Redcar Revisited and mapped out a single important intersection between our collection and the King & Queen themselves.

To explore the collection further it was necessary to shuffle the neatly organized cards, scattering them out again to look for different attributes. Knowing that this would happen a number of times, I paused to carefully catalogue and transcribe each one. For two days, I took comfort in the tedium, resting my eyes on each address, all the postmark dates, and the easy-to-miss cancellation details with clues to rail stations and delivery lines.

Sorting the cards by handwriting was the break I needed. A run of cards in a bold, loose, inky script with a distinctive salutation turned out to be Nurse Aird herself. Easy to pick out once I had seen it a few times, this is Liz writing to her own parents, over a period of about eight years. Read in sequence, her letters cover work, friends, faith, and small pleasures in the Teeside region.

The 1891 census places Elizabeth R. Aird, age 22, born 1869, in a South Shields household with her parents, John and Mary Aird, and two younger brothers, John, 18, and William, 10. We’ll learn more about them as we go, but today let’s get the story from Liz in her own words. She is 34 years old when this series of postcards begins.

September 22, 1903. Mrs Nightingale wants me to stay till Monday – but I want a few days at home before going on outing – so will come on Saturday – the weather is lovely. We have been to the Braid Hills to-day. I would like to see the Forth Bridge. I think I will walk part of the way. It comes so expensive taking cars. Hope you are better. With love to both, your affectionate daughter, Liz.

September 22, 1903. We have been to Roslin to-day it is beautiful – have you ever been? It has been a lovely day – hope you are feeling better! Sorry to hear that Mr is no better. Did Jack get his musical cards? With love, Liz.

October 13, 1903. Hope you are keeping better. I am much better, thank you. I will be coming in on Friday. May get the night but am not sure. With love from Liz.

April 4, 1905. William Smart’s mother still in great pain, no hope of decreasing it. Am with very pleasant people. I am keeping very well but get well tired. Went to Unity on Sunday evening – hope you both keep well. Expect to be here till away case – it only came off a week ago. Bob Payhrs is not so well. Will get direct train when it comes out. Liz.

October 20, 1906. Hope you are keeping better! Last Sunday I had blue baby at church in the afternoon. She had a convulsion at 11 at night & died Monday morning. It was very unexpected. The patient is alright but her mother is ill and not expected to recover – I miss the baby more than anyone she was such a sweet little thing. How cold here the weather is, a great change, you must be careful not to get cold. Much love to both, Liz.

October 27, 1906. Bark House, Sedgefield. Hope you are all well. Have been very busy – patient still in bed. Have you read the failure of Mr Stopkus. I was with them a year ago – regular fraud – I expect to go thro the asylum next week. Hope they wont keep me in. Send me a few lines this week, not sure if I can get next week. Much love to both. Liz.

November 18, 1906. Very wet in town today. Wish November was out then we might have some sunshine. Liz, everyone sends their love to both.

May 30, 1907. Hurworth-on-Tees. Hope you are both well. Weather makes one feel melancholy. Am still on holiday. It is raining here, been pouring down all day, expect we’ll get hot weather all at once. Will run over in a fortnight time if I’m still at liberty. Much love, Liz.

June 15, 1907. Will stay here next week & then if nothing turns up will come over during race week. Nurses are all on holiday, as there is nothing doing. Glad the belt is alright. This weather is very relaxing – the country is lovely just now – went for a drive with Miss Lucas yesterday. Liz.

January 11, 1908. Just going to station to see if there is a decent excursion next week. Will let you know what day – Trust you are well – love to both. Liz.

January 27, 1908. 33 Ocean Road, Monday morning. Mr Robinson going up to Tyne Dock to see Harmonium to-night. Come down as soon as you can to-night. I may go to park. Liz.

November 6, 1908. Many thanks for paper & letter – glad to hear all news. Have not much time for writing – expect to finish next Thursday. Glad you have a private circle. I felt the other was no good, no sympathy – write again – want to know when you go off. Much love, Liz.

December 7, 1908. Expect I’ll be over in time to go to meeting. Leaving here early to-morrow. Love to all. Liz.

December 29, 1908. Thanks for letter. Expect baby to-morrow and money to assurance Wednesday – snow very deep here just came last night, bitter wind. Glad you got to concert. Am just going out before dark. Much love, Liz.

March 20, 1909. Trust you are well, we are having better weather. Having a quiet time, will write to Will Sunday. Does poppy still come to you? Liz.

August 22, 1909. Expect to be here another week – am very busy don’t get any time to myself – may have more time next week. Hope you are well, getting ready for the wedding, I suppose, you will be very quiet when he goes – very cold here – lots of rain – church closed – have you been to any meetings lately? With love, Liz.

May 13, 1910. Friday morning, just got in, been up all night with a patient – am taking night duty till the crisis is over, a few nights or a week perhaps – so am all right this week – don’t do too much – love to both, Liz.

November 12, 1910. Nursing Home, Langholm Crescent, Darlington. Glad to hear from you. When the Hygiana is done let me know and I’ll get you some more. Hope things will soon be settled one way or the other. I’m still busy, very cold and wet to-night. This is a photo of the home, my lodgings are opposite. Much love to both, Liz.

August 8, 1911. Will be with you as soon as I can get things ready here, just left case, so have not much time – love to both, Liz.

Next week, we’ll look at correspondence to Liz from other nurses and the working conditions of private care in that era. Miss Lucas appears again, going to singing practice, concerts, and Unity Society meetings. The cards ahead also reveal the recreation and respite available in these seaside villas more than a century ago.