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Work House and Cottage Home Records

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DazedConfused

DazedConfused Report 20 Oct 2011 14:25

Oh Martyn, no offence was taken at all, just a bit bemused that you may have been shocked or disappointed.

I am of the opinion that unless our ancestors were very rich for many generations, most families in the UK will have at least 1 person who has been in the Workhouse.

I have one of my g/g/grandfathers brothers whose wife had every child in the infirmary/hospital attached to the local workhouse, all 9 of them!!!!

All the best

Researching:
We are all of us in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars, Oscar Wilde New avatar, my dad age about 3/4 months, could have been worse, it could have been the awful nude on a rug!!

Martyn

Martyn Report 18 Oct 2011 16:58

Piglet's Pal,

I'm sorry if my choice of noun has offended, and I apologise.

I presume this is a stigma which has been passed down through my family from those fortunate enough never to have been in such establishments.

This is the first time I have come across a family in my tree institutionalized this way; from what you say, there is every chance I will uncover such unfortunate (?) happenings in my further researches.

Many thanks for correcting me on this matter.

Kindest regards,

Martyn

DazedConfused

DazedConfused Report 18 Oct 2011 13:34

Why Ignomy, I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of us have relatives in the Workhouse.

My g/aunt (who I knew & Loved dearly) was born in a workhouse.

My ex-husband's family all lived in a reception centre (what they were called up to the mid 1960's) when they fell on hard times. Mum lived in womens part with older daughter & younger children, father in other part with older sons.

With no access to Social Security as there is today and no social housing the workhouse, albeit a last resort, was often the only place to go.

You will often find that the elderly and parentless children were the ones who spent the longest time in the workhouse. Men & women would often work outside the workhouse during the day, and as their finances improved they would then move out to other accomodation they had found for their familes.

Researching:
We are all of us in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars, Oscar Wilde New avatar, my dad age about 3/4 months, could have been worse, it could have been the awful nude on a rug!!

Martyn

Martyn Report 18 Oct 2011 09:51

Many thanks, Jonesey

(Incidentally, my ancestors in question were named Jones!)

Jonesey

Jonesey Report 18 Oct 2011 09:26

You are most welcome. Good luck with your research.

Researching:
Don't put off until tomorrow doing what you can do today. If you like doing it today you can do it again tomorrow. Be kind to your children for it is they who will decide which care home you end up in.

Martyn

Martyn Report 18 Oct 2011 09:23

Andrew, Jonesy and +++DetEcTive+++,

Many thanks for your help with my query; I will give the various links a whirl!

Kindest regards,

Martyn

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 18 Oct 2011 09:14

Essex Archives may have the Admission/Discharge books for you to look through. Have a look through their site.

http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/

They may search on your behalf if you can't get there, but there would likely to be a fee.

Researching:
Dormant member as from 20 Sep 2019 . Click on my board name to send a message

Jonesey

Jonesey Report 18 Oct 2011 09:12

Records held here I believe:

Records
Essex Record Office, Wharf Road Chelmsford CM2 6YT. Few records survive — holdings include: Guardians' minutes (1835-1930); Relief order books (1911-32); etc.

See:

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Orsett/

Researching:
Don't put off until tomorrow doing what you can do today. If you like doing it today you can do it again tomorrow. Be kind to your children for it is they who will decide which care home you end up in.

Andrew

Andrew Report 18 Oct 2011 09:11

Try

www.workhouses.org.uk

More info and if any records survive see

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Orsett/

Andy

Martyn

Martyn Report 18 Oct 2011 09:06

From the 1911 census I have discovered my ancestors suffered the ignomony of having to resort to living/working in a workhouse (Orsett, Essex) and having their children separated from them and placed in the Stifford, Essex, Cottage Home. I would like to ascertain how long they were there.

Would anyone be able to advise if records were kept of persons living in these establishments and, if so, who would I need to contact to see the relevant entries.

Many thanks,

Martyn