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Workhouse Dudley RD & Summerhill

  • Thread starter Thread starter Marc Germany
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Marc Germany

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Dear Forum,

the reason for my interest is that we are preparing a documentary for German Television. It is about the Irishwoman Emily Watson.
In 1858 (not verified) she emigrated from Ireland to Birmingham. And maybe she found her new home in the Birmingham Workhouse at Dudley RD. Furthermore, we have the statement, that she worked there as a needlewoman and nanny for children. Her working place has something to do with the name “Summerhill”. Maybe you know, if there was a children’s home with the name in 1858?
.
Thank you in advance,

Marc
 
Marc
I am not sure if it was there in 1858 (they aren't mentioned in the Birmingham 1858 directory) but later there was a home for "wayward and dissolute girls" in Summer Hill (not terrace)(https://www.midlandhistory.bham.ac.uk/issues/2000/bartleyp.pdf) .
When the various Birmingham unions amalgamated, there was a receiving home in Summer hill terrace., described in the directory as “18 to 21 Birmingham Guardians' Scattered Homes for Boys & Girls” It doesn’t appear in early directories.
Probably neither are what you are looking for, but it would seem to indicate that the area of Summer hill was where a lot of homes went
mike
 
Welcome again Marc useful info as ever it never ceases to amaze me where all the info comes from and as you can see always someone to help cheers MJ:)
 
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mikejee, thanks a lot! That's a great source and it looks like it's the only one...
Do you by chance happen to know where the Summer Hill Training home was situated? I can't find it in the source.
What do you mean by "not terrace"?
Greetz Marc
 
Hi

Summer Hill Terrace still exists ... it is now Birmingham City Councils Residential Rehabiliation Teams offices (drug and alcohol misuse), I am not sure of the main road it leads off but sure plenty on here will know ... If you are heading away from College of Food (old one) towards Dudley Road Hospital, you get to "the Parade" ... if you carry on to the island and then turn completely around the Island so you are heading back on the dual carriageway there is a slip road on the left (up a slight incline) .. that is where Summer Hill Terrace is !!!
 
Thanks, and the City Councils Teams offices are situated in the old building of Summer Hill Training Home? Or is not there the old building anymore?
 
I am pretty sure the B'ham City Council offices for Residential Rehab are the original SummerHill receiving centre and part of the workhouse . I will try and get a photo from the Internet to compare
 
Cannot find any images to compare unfortunately, however I came across this email address which may help you : webmaster@institutions.org.uk , I just spoke with a friend who works in one of the Council buildings near to Summerhill Terrace and she also thinks that the Residential Rehab buildings are part of the original receiving home , I will try and find more out for you tomorrow (when offices are open) and get back to you :)
 
Hi Marc

Summerhill Terrace is a small road and there are/were lots of premises there at the time you are searching.

from No 18 to No 23 is I believe what you are looking for . These buildings are still there and as I said in my earlier post No 23 now belongs to Birmingham City Council .

If you go to www.workhouses.org.uk and type in Summerhill in the search box you will come across a photograph of Summerhill Home circa 1910.

However I will try and find out a little more for you.

Dianne
 
Hi Marc,
In 1861 census there is only one Watson entry for Dudley road workhouse C Watson age 60 b. Birmingham pauper.
1871 there is an entry in the workhouse
Emily Watson age 9 b. birmingham
No Emily watson in workhouse 1881.
 
hi everyone on this thread
summer hill rehab centre and hostel for homeless men over the age of 45 with alcohol dependency and drug abuse is run by midland heart. the building belongs to birmingham city council who leased it to the midland heart association for a nominal sum on the condition they maintain the building, however they are relocating to perry barr so the building will be empty again!!!! wonder what will be there next?
kind regards anniekei
 
Hi Marc,

After spending a few hours searching through Internet and talking to various ex colleagues ( I used to work for B'ham City Council) we are all of the opinion that No 23 Summerhill Terrace is part of the building that you are searching for. Two of my former colleagues now work at Residential Rehab at 23 Summerhill Terrace.. they are employed by Birmingham City Council, Social Care and Health and they have heard of the history of the building which does suggest it is what you are looking for , next door is a shelter for Homeless people with drug/alcohol addictions etc.

I have visited the building a few times (in my former employ!) and remember a large Courtyard (now a Carpark, and its general appearance is one of a building built in the mid 1800's

If you contact Birmingham City Council on 0121 303 9944 (main switchboard) and ask them for help for planning/ /buildings departments I feel sure they would assist you further.

Alternatively It may be that Birmingham Central Library (Heritage and Local History Section) may be able to help you.

If I find out anymore I will let you know.

Best wishes

Dianne
 
Thanks so much, I will try to follow your hint. It looks good.
 
hi all..ive just googled birmingham workhouse and came up with an amazing site...its by peter higginbotham...it gives lists of inmates...staff...birth...and deaths....plenty of pics too....just had a quick read as i have not much time this morning but looking at the pics and plans it seems that the unit dad was in after his recent stroke was built on the part of the workhouse that was demolished...fascinating stuff...will get back to it later...although i would imagine some of you already know about this link....

astoness:)


 
When iived in one of the houses on Summerhill Terrace circa 1953 there was a home for elderly men as you went towards the City, this i think is the council owned property mentioned in the other posts, it was still an elderly mens home in 1956. Len.
 
hi gee-em..just google..birmingham workhouse and click on the first link that comes up....

lyn:)
 
any probs let me know but that should take to straight to it...i will be having a better look tonight....

lyn:)
 
Lyn just had butchers on that site,and it locked on to me,i had to close puter down:DMau-reece
 
mossy i reckon its a brillient site..like i say i will be on it for ages later tonight...i may even come accross ancestors who had the misfortune to be placed in there...

lyn:)
 
Lyn can you give us the link,i must have been on the wrong one:DMau-reece
 
Ah well Jean Lyn has gone now i dont know if i was on the correct site,but it locked on to me:DMau-recee
 
Interesting link Lyn .. with good pictures and no problems with "locking up" some pictures of recent years .. photos are copyright .. cant save photos:tongue2: I did try lol
 
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