Genealogy Chat

Yesterday, Elaine found my missing Levy family in 1871. Spurred on by this, I decided to find the mother Harriett in 1881. I was amazed to discover her,( age 2 years out), in the Medway Union Workhouse in Chatham, Inmate, occupation washing! I was particularly surprised, as she had 5 sons and at least 1 daughter, still living who could have taken her in. One of the sons even had enough money to employ a servant! Is this normal? Would records at the workhouse state why she was in there? Lynn

Yes, but only if the workhouse records are available. I consulted some workhouse records to find out why two young boys were in there and in the 'Cause of Relief Column' it said: Father Transported! People didn't always go into the workhouse if they were destitute - they were often used as hospitals too. I wonder if she was just employed there? Cheers, Horatia

Thanks Horatia She was listed as an inmate, altough she did have an occupation listed as did a lot of the others on the page. I haven't managed to find her death yet or any trace of her in 1891, so am not sure what happened to her.. Lynn

If you go to www.workhouses.org.uk you will find descriptions of life in workhouses - if you type 'Medway ' in the search box, you will find links to pictures and census records Joan

Thanks for that, it is a very interesting site. I have now got a photo of the workhouse, although it is disused now. I have emailed the Medway archives to find out about her admission and to see if she died there. Lynn

Just had another thought. He late husband had beena Greenwich pensioner. Would that pension have died with him or continued on for her? Lynn

Lynn, The pension would have died with him. Cheers, Horatia

Thanks Horatia, that is sad. Lynn