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From: "David Railton" <>
Subject: "THEME" - Health In Our Ancestors' Time - Accoucheuse
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2006 16:34:18 +0100


My dictionary defines 'accoucheuse' as a midwife. Can anyone tell me if this
is specifically refers to untrained midwives? I have one ancestor who is
described as being a midwife in the 1920s and 1930s. I understand that she
had some training and carried out her work at the mother's home. Another
ancestor at the same time is described as 'accoucheuse' and had a brass
plate outside her front door declaring herself to be. She took expectant
mothers into her home for the deliveries to take place there. I have the
impression that she had not received midwifery training.



Can anyone tell me if I have I got these definitions right?



David


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