Hi guys!
A friend of mine is doing some work on 19th Century London, and was looking for sources (both online and off)on life during this period.
Specifically I believe she's looking for diaries/articles etc on day to day life, architecture and homes.
She's also mentioned builders books and manuals etc..
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
One place to look is in the Old Bailey records recording court cases. It documents a lot of ordinary life, from relationship issues to anti semitism to foreigners in London and so on.
The Charles Booth archive, here contains many records of ordinary London life from the perspective of policemen (but mostly not related to crime at all).
The Housemaid and her duties pamphlet.
A publication on women workers in London, here.
Then there is Cassell's Household guide. Alongside Mrs Beeton's book of course! Also there's this guide to household management taught in schools and this guide on women's makeup and fashion.
Here is a site where you can access letters and diaries.
This blog sorts articles from a variety of Victorian journals as well.
Here are some primary sources relating to eg London working men's associations, unions and so on in the early 19th century. Records of charities supporting many ordinary working class people and middle class people might be useful?