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Workhouse admissions

i guess it could be possible...if you would like to give us some info ie names and dates we are happy to help you if you have hit a brick wall

lyn
 
Thanks for the reply Lyn, I'm not sure about the facts yet, it is a long shot suggested by friend of mine. I think it unlikely but wondered if there had been any precedent for such a thing.
 
Bbithell said:
Thanks for the reply Lyn, I'm not sure about the facts yet, it is a long shot suggested by friend of mine. I think it unlikely but wondered if there had been any precedent for such a thing.
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ok let us know if you need any help...i was just pondering on this and just say for instance that the husband did not want to have anything more to do with his wife and she was not of sound mind to even know her name he could have had her placed in the workhouse under her maiden name...just a thought..thinking outside of the box

lyn
 
Yes, the thought process is based on the Sherlock Holmes line of thinking "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth"
 
yes, it was possible for a husband to place his wife into a workhouse under her maiden name, though the practice wasn't the primary or easiest method of workhouse entry. A husband's marital authority meant he could legally control his wife's life, and if she was a "burden" to him, a husband could arrange for her to enter a workhouse. A husband could place his wife into a workhouse under her maiden name to avoid her being a financial burden to him.
 
Thank you for that Pete. If his wife was having mental health issues would it be easier / cheaper to put her into a workhouse rather than a mental hospital? If so, how do I find admissions lists online?
 
Bbithell said:
Thank you for that Pete. If his wife was having mental health issues would it be easier / cheaper to put her into a workhouse rather than a mental hospital? If so, how do I find admissions lists online?
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are you subscribed to ancestry as they have some admissions online...if not and you would like those who are subscribed to take a look for you we would need more info ..such as a name..when born and where they lived

lyn
 
What crossed my mind with this is prior to 1914 divorce was rare. It was considered a scandal and only for the wealthy. There were a lot of legal restrictions requiring proof of adultery or violence to the truly desperate. So an alternative was to have your spouse committed to an asylum or other institution.
 
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