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Workhouse records
- Thread starter skylark
- Start date
Peter Walker
gone but not forgotten
Just looked in the 1900 directory and couldn't find anything with as name like that.
Peter
Peter
Phoebe
Half a Brummie
I have the same question as Margaret - possible ancestor in 1851 - so thought it might be worth asking again if anyone knows where this place was? The census has it in the St George district, ecclesiastical district of St Stephen.
I imagine there might be a number of reasons why children might be placed here, often temporary situations. If anyone can cast any light, it would be much appreciated.
I imagine there might be a number of reasons why children might be placed here, often temporary situations. If anyone can cast any light, it would be much appreciated.
claire-brum71
master brummie
There were quite a few workhouses based in birmingham. the only mention i can find of an infant poor asylum anywhere on the net is Summer Lane, it says after overcrowding they moved and created an infant poor asylum in Summer Lane
claire-brum71
master brummie
It said it moved there 1797, so it had been there a while obviously if you have an entry for 1851... i did find a website on Birmingham Workhouses once, will have to have another look if i can find it.. they had pictures and more indepth info
sospiri
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
I know this is a bit late but it might save someone else a search.
My great grandfather, James TAYLOR, was told that he was found on a doorstep (we will never know whether he was told the truth about this) and he was brought up in the Asylum for the Infant Poor where the staff gave him the name "James TAYLOR". As far as I can tell, he was admitted to the institution in 1835.
He told my late grandmother that when he was approaching the age of ten years, they asked him what sort job he would like to be trained for and he replied "a tailor". (I don't know how much choice he had in this!). Accordingly he was trained in tailoring and was a self-employed tailor for the rest of his life. (He died in 1901).
I'm afraid that there is very little information available about the institution and none of the minute books or registers have survived. William Hutton's 1836 "History of Birmingham" contains the following brief note:-
"The Asylum for the Infant Poor, established in Summer Lane in 1797, is conducted by a committee of guardians and overseers. The manufacture of pins, straw-plait, lace, &c., is carried on for the purpose of employing the children, whose labour produces a profit to the parish. There is a bath, garden, play-ground, school, and chapel connected with this institution. There are usually from two hundred to two hundred and fifty children in this parish family."
The 1841 Census contains the usual list of staff and inmates - HO107/1141 Folio 66 - but that is about your lot! I have yet to find a sketch of the place and it appears that it closed when the new Birmingham Workhouse opened in 1852.
My great grandfather, James TAYLOR, was told that he was found on a doorstep (we will never know whether he was told the truth about this) and he was brought up in the Asylum for the Infant Poor where the staff gave him the name "James TAYLOR". As far as I can tell, he was admitted to the institution in 1835.
He told my late grandmother that when he was approaching the age of ten years, they asked him what sort job he would like to be trained for and he replied "a tailor". (I don't know how much choice he had in this!). Accordingly he was trained in tailoring and was a self-employed tailor for the rest of his life. (He died in 1901).
I'm afraid that there is very little information available about the institution and none of the minute books or registers have survived. William Hutton's 1836 "History of Birmingham" contains the following brief note:-
"The Asylum for the Infant Poor, established in Summer Lane in 1797, is conducted by a committee of guardians and overseers. The manufacture of pins, straw-plait, lace, &c., is carried on for the purpose of employing the children, whose labour produces a profit to the parish. There is a bath, garden, play-ground, school, and chapel connected with this institution. There are usually from two hundred to two hundred and fifty children in this parish family."
The 1841 Census contains the usual list of staff and inmates - HO107/1141 Folio 66 - but that is about your lot! I have yet to find a sketch of the place and it appears that it closed when the new Birmingham Workhouse opened in 1852.
sylviasayers
master brummie
Go to www.astonbrook-through-astonmanor.co.uk under the Streets of Aston - if you click on "A" and scroll down to Asylum Road you will find it.
Last edited by a moderator:
Phoebe
Half a Brummie
Thanks everyone who replied. I've found some interesting links. A pity none of the detailed records have survived.
I 'm having some difficulty tracing this branch of my family and wonder if this lad might have been placed in the Infant Poor Asylum temporarily, as I am almost sure his mother at least would have been alive at the time. Just wondering what kind of family circumstance might have made it necessary, if the inmates were not necessarily all orphans. But it may be someone else anyway!
I 'm having some difficulty tracing this branch of my family and wonder if this lad might have been placed in the Infant Poor Asylum temporarily, as I am almost sure his mother at least would have been alive at the time. Just wondering what kind of family circumstance might have made it necessary, if the inmates were not necessarily all orphans. But it may be someone else anyway!
claire-brum71
master brummie
Pheobe have you found his parents on the census living elsewhere? It could be they fell on hard times and were all in seperate Workhouses, or it could be like happened with someone in my Family, the mother died, the dad put the kids in the workhouse and went off and remarried and had more children!
Phoebe
Half a Brummie
I missed your last post, Claire, so a very late reply!
My ancestor's name was Matthew Davis, and he married in 1871, giving his father's name as John Davis, steel grinder. There are lots of John Davises of course, before we even consider the possibility that it might sometimes have appeared as Davies. The MC doesn't say he's deceased, but one can't assume that he wasn't.
In 1881, there is a Lavinia Davis (78) living with the family. No relationship is given, but it's quite likely she's his mother as they have a small daughter also named Lavinia. She may be his aunt or grandmother, though. I've only found Lavinia senior in 1871, widow with a lodger, but the age (65) doesn't quite tally. No sign of her any other time. Tis a mystery!
My ancestor's name was Matthew Davis, and he married in 1871, giving his father's name as John Davis, steel grinder. There are lots of John Davises of course, before we even consider the possibility that it might sometimes have appeared as Davies. The MC doesn't say he's deceased, but one can't assume that he wasn't.
In 1881, there is a Lavinia Davis (78) living with the family. No relationship is given, but it's quite likely she's his mother as they have a small daughter also named Lavinia. She may be his aunt or grandmother, though. I've only found Lavinia senior in 1871, widow with a lodger, but the age (65) doesn't quite tally. No sign of her any other time. Tis a mystery!
B
Beryl M
Guest
My the girls sure got shafted in schools in those days - I can remember the girls from Handswoth Home who attended St Mary's School were taught exactly the same as the boys and still ended up in service -
My Grandfather (Samuel Ward b 1885) was orphaned at the age of 3 and brought up in the Cottage Home of the Birmingham workhouse. He was born at Cregoe St. Birmingham where his father died just after Samuels birth.
His mother (Lavinia) died in the Western Road Workhouse in 1888.
Will the Workhouse records tell me where Lavinia is buried (and if the grave of a pauper would be marked in any way) ?
Will the records show me where Samuel went after leaving the home (at the age of 15 or 16 I think).
Is there anything else of interest the records may show me ?
I would be a long jouney for me get to the central libary, so I would like to know if it may be useful.
Thanks in advance to anyone who reponds.
His mother (Lavinia) died in the Western Road Workhouse in 1888.
Will the Workhouse records tell me where Lavinia is buried (and if the grave of a pauper would be marked in any way) ?
Will the records show me where Samuel went after leaving the home (at the age of 15 or 16 I think).
Is there anything else of interest the records may show me ?
I would be a long jouney for me get to the central libary, so I would like to know if it may be useful.
Thanks in advance to anyone who reponds.
Alf
Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
Carax welcome have a look here and you could use the Search Box top right this page. I found this there and that could keep you busy
https://forum.birminghamhistory.co.uk/search.php?searchid=1096449
https://forum.birminghamhistory.co.uk/search.php?searchid=1096449
rosie
brummie
Hello Carax
My 3xgt Grandfather died in the Workhouse infirmary in 1893 and was buried in Witton Cemetery. Your post has prompted me to email them for the plot number, as I had looked up the reference at Birmingham Library. (I don't know if I have to apply in writing or the cost though).
Maybe someone will do a "look-up" for you as some members go there regularly.
For information on Workhouses try putting "Archway of Tears" in the search box under the banner, and there are links on various posts.
Hope this helps,
rosie.
My 3xgt Grandfather died in the Workhouse infirmary in 1893 and was buried in Witton Cemetery. Your post has prompted me to email them for the plot number, as I had looked up the reference at Birmingham Library. (I don't know if I have to apply in writing or the cost though).
Maybe someone will do a "look-up" for you as some members go there regularly.
For information on Workhouses try putting "Archway of Tears" in the search box under the banner, and there are links on various posts.
Hope this helps,
rosie.
Mike Fisher
Billesley Boy
les hancock
master brummie
You can also try this.... www.workhouses.org.uk
les hancock
master brummie
Records
- Birmingham Archives and Heritage Service, Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ. Holdings include: Guardians' minute books (1783-1930); Indoor relief lists (1889-1915); Baptism registers (1864 onwards); Workhouse infirmary (later Dudley Road Hospital) admission and discharge registers (1899 onwards with many gaps and in poor condition); Various other workhouse infirmary records e.g. post mortems, death registers (from early 1900s); Marston Green Cottage Homes registers (1880-1934).Records
- Birmingham Archives and Heritage Service, Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ. Holdings include: Guardians' minute books (1783-1930); Indoor relief lists (1889-1915); Baptism registers (1864 onwards); Workhouse infirmary (later Dudley Road Hospital) admission and discharge registers (1899 onwards with many gaps and in poor condition); Various other workhouse infirmary records e.g. post mortems, death registers (from early 1900s); Marston Green Cottage Homes registers (1880-1934).
BrumConnect
New Member
If you mean the Marston Green Cottage Homes for Paupers Children then yes, they will tell you the date that Samuel Ward was admitted to the homes, the date he was discharged and where to... provided he didn't abscond as I discovered one of my relatives did when I went to the library a couple of weeks ago!
"Register of Children" BCC 10/BCH/1/1/5 which covers 13 August 1884 - 24 March 1903 should include both the admission and discharge dates for Samuel. The book is indexed alphabetically so you should just need to go to W for Ward to find him.
Once you know the admission and discharge dates you may want to look him up in the "Admissions and Discharge" registers. Pages in these are in date order, with admissions for each day listed on the left hand page and discharges on the right hand page.
I found it to be well worth the visit. Fascinating to be able to see and handle the original registers.
"Register of Children" BCC 10/BCH/1/1/5 which covers 13 August 1884 - 24 March 1903 should include both the admission and discharge dates for Samuel. The book is indexed alphabetically so you should just need to go to W for Ward to find him.
Once you know the admission and discharge dates you may want to look him up in the "Admissions and Discharge" registers. Pages in these are in date order, with admissions for each day listed on the left hand page and discharges on the right hand page.
I found it to be well worth the visit. Fascinating to be able to see and handle the original registers.
paul stacey
master brummie
carax, there was a previous thread on the forum where pauper funerals were discussed and the out come was that they normally don't have markers of any sort or records kept of locations, sorry for that.
paul
paul