I have often wondered if Austen wasn't a bit depressed when she wrote P&P. I understand the life expectancy of the Regency Era was low, however the research I have done says that the infant mortality rate and the common people/hard laborers skewed the figures and the gentry themselves generally had a higher span. The fact that Darcy and Bingley are orphans, Anne de Bough's father, Collins parents (father for sure presumably mother too), we hear nothing about grandparents and extended family, etc seems highly unlikely. If you aren't related to the Bennet's, from Meryton, or the Matlocks, you appear to be fair game.
I am also slowly writing a story. It has been six months but I have an outline, character list, prologue, part of chapter one, and a scene that wouldn't leave my head written. Unfortunately real life keeps intruding and every time I get into it something comes up and it sits for a week or two.
Good luck and keep on writing.
