Genealogy Chat

When my paternal g-father went off to WW1, never to be seen again (even in the army records, it seems!) he left my g-mother with my father (a toddler) plus his elder brother. Family stories say that my father was sent to live with his g-parents (presumably maternal ones) and his elder brother was put into an orphanage - both so that my g-mother would be free to earn some money to keep them all. She was lucky to meet and marry a genuinely special man and both lads were reunited with their beloved mother. Christine

Thanks everyone for your comments. I will try to find out if the workhouse records have survived and take it from there. Lyla

There was a huge fuss over one of my rellies putting himself and eldest son into the workhouse circa 1841, while his wife remained at home. He said that his wife was heavily pregnant and as it was a fifteen mile walk to the workhouse he didn't think it was a good idea. If the workhouse records survive, they should show why someone was admitted: eg to the infirmary.

It may be worth contacting the local archive department to see if Poor Law Records survive for the area. The Mitchell Library in Glasgow has Poor Law Records which are basically applications for Poor Relief (dole) or hospital admittance. If they survive for Berkshire then you should be able to look up the family record and find out exactly why he was there.

Just seen this, may be of use to you. http://www(.)institutions(.)org(.)uk/workhouses/

Thanks, I never thought of that. I wonder if some of the others on my missing list could also be in the workhouses. Something new to try anyway! Thanks Lyla

One of my 3 x gr aunt's was in a workhouse in 1891 at the age of 15. It's strange because she was part of a big family and she moved back with them in 1901, but all I can think of is she was pregnant or had some minor run in with the police. I think they did that in those days.

Hi Lyla, another possibility is that the son was ill and could get treatment/ care in the workhouse, some workhouses had sick wards (don't know if all) Helen

Sometimes the workhouse acted as the local hospital. Alternatively if they had a large family may be they just couldn't cope. Children often started work by 12 in 1841. I also had relatives who were employed by a local workhouse as nurses or doctors so it might be worth looking to see what his occupation was.

possibly to get the 'poor relief' (forerunner to the dole), which could only be obtained if they were willing to stay in the workhouse

I have a family all together in 1841 Berkshire - father is a labourer. The oldest boy (12) is missing but turns up with the family again in 1851. I think I have found this child in the workhouse in 1841 but I dont understand why he would have gone there if he had a family. In 1851 the father is now a coal porter and only the girls are at home along with the oldest boy. This time another son seems to be in the workhouse and he was still there in 1861. Was it possible to send just one child at a time to the workhouse and why would a family choose to do so?