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Workhouse records

It was some years since I asked at the old Central Library and I was actually enquiring about the records of the Asylum for the Infant Poor, which was closed in 1852. The answer I got was that nothing survived for that institution, but they had the workhouses from 1880. As I had no interest in the workhouses, I didn't press for further details. Of course, what they have and what you can actually get your hands on, because a lot of records are in such poor condition, may be two entirely different things!

Maurice
 
Do you know how I can access records of residents in Birmingham workhouse in 1883/4. My great grandfather was there with his mother Elizabeth Jane Vaughan. They were taken out of the workhouse by John Meakin Charlesworth who adopted him. JMC was already married so the whole thing is a bit strange. How typical was it for someone to 'rescue' someone from the workhouse? There's a family story that a solictor paid JMC to adopt my great grandfather. Any held you be appreciated
 
Didn't John marry Elizabeth in 1889 and so just became his stepfather?

I see that their daughter Nellie was registered (in Nuneaton) as Nellie Charlesworth Vaughan, which seems to indicate that their relationship began some years before they married.

There are some workhouse records at the Library of Bham but no admission/discharge records.
 
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It looks as if John may still have been married to his first wife (died 1897?) when he married Elizabeth, so bigamous perhaps.

John was living in Hinckley in 1881 which close to Nuneaton.

Elizabeth appears to have been living on Unett St, Bham in 1881 boarder of a Louisa Blakeney with son (Walter) listed as Fords for some reason, Walter being reg. as such also?
 
Interesting article in Derby Advertiser and Journal 25th April 1879. May explain why he wasn't with his wife.
Derby Advertiser 1879 1st.JPG
 

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She must have had him back that time as they were still together in 1881, though not for too long as Nellie was reg. Mar 1883.

I'd surmise she probably left him.
 
gailyvonnejones said:
Do you know how I can access records of residents in Birmingham workhouse in 1883/4. My great grandfather was there with his mother Elizabeth Jane Vaughan. They were taken out of the workhouse by John Meakin Charlesworth who adopted him. JMC was already married so the whole thing is a bit strange. How typical was it for someone to 'rescue' someone from the workhouse? There's a family story that a solictor paid JMC to adopt my great grandfather. Any held you be appreciated
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How do you know they were in the workhouse?
There is a marriage cert for a Walter Herbert Charlesworth which states his Father was a "solicitor" - at least I think that is what is says.
1696512714152.png
 
When Nellie's birth was registered as Ellen Charlesworth Vaughan the mmn was Ford. Same as for Walter,
The other 2 girls were reg with mmn Vaughan.
 
Can't make out the second word, first looks like solicitor. Father's name appears to be a bit of a fudge but perhaps he knew who his real father was and used part of his details with those of his step father.

There is a tree on familysearch that gives his birthplace as the workhouse. No idea if that's correct but it does list a dob (Feb), so may they have seen a birth certificate.

As mentioned previously I think mother and son were living in Unett St in 1881, so not their for long maybe.
 
The couple listed in Unett street are both as Fords which appears to have been what Walter's birth was registered as. Place of birth for that Lizzie is Wem the same as Elizabeth gives when she is Charlesworth on 1891 census.
Agree about Walter and I can't read the second word - looks like "Hatter"!
 
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In context with gailyvonne's question, it's difficult to say how the mention of solicitor on Walter's marriage relates or if the name Ford was the name of Walter's father.

And in regards the workhouse and a solicitor paying JMC to 'take on' Elizabeth & Walter. JMC would seem to be an odd choice - a married man living some distance away - there must have better local choices, unless the intention was to get them as far away as possible.

Still, an interesting story but difficult/impossible to prove.
 
Hello everyone
New member here.
I am wondering if anyone knows if there are records of the old Workhouse infirmary (admissions or any other info), great grandma appears to have gone in and out of the workhouse (or Workhouse infirmary) between 1898 and around 1910

Where would I enquire about records.
Many thanks and Happy Easter
 
I seem to remember reading that the Library of Birmingham hold some records, I think though it's just minutes from the meetings. I'm not sure admission records have survived but you could ask.
 
MWS said:
I seem to remember reading that the Library of Birmingham hold some records, I think though it's just minutes from the meetings. I'm not sure admission records have survived but you could ask.
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yes mark i was told that but its worth double checking

lyn
 
If you plan a visit make sure you check if you need to order materials in advance (they no longer fetch stuff if you turn up and ask) and also check the opening hours.
The Archives section is not what it was - sadly.
 
debran said:
Hello everyone
New member here.
I am wondering if anyone knows if there are records of the old Workhouse infirmary (admissions or any other info), great grandma appears to have gone in and out of the workhouse (or Workhouse infirmary) between 1898 and around 1910

Where would I enquire about records.
Many thanks and Happy Easter
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Happy Easter debran and welcome to the Forum, enjoy! I can’t help with your question, hopefully some of the members can as they are quite resourceful.
 
I am also interested in viewing patients records for Western Road Workhouse Infirmary circa 1903 - which Birmingham Archives do hold.

However on searching the the Archives Catalogue most of the records are closed and not available to view by the general public due to their delicate/fragile state, although you need to thoroughly peruse the catalogue as there are quite a few different sections relating to the infirmary patients records.

William.
 
pjmburns said:
If you plan a visit make sure you check if you need to order materials in advance (they no longer fetch stuff if you turn up and ask) and also check the opening hours.
The Archives section is not what it was - sadly.
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Thanks for the tip, think I need to do a lot of studying of possible records
 
I asked about this last year at the Library of Birmingham as we wanted info from 1923. THe chap in records looked online and gave me a code for the info I wanted them to order BUT due to the 100 yars rule I had to wait until this year and I have booked up online to go next Tuesday......I can only look at the parts ordered s they cant look for any others on the day......
 
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Keith R said:
I asked about this last year at the Library of Birmingham as we wanted info from 1923. THe chap in records looked online and gave me a code for the info I wanted them to order BUT due to the 100 yars rule I had to wait until this year and I have booked up online to go next Tuesday......I can only look at the parts ordered s they cant look for any others on the day......
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Thanks Keith,
Can you let me know how you get on please, the more research I do the more ancestors I find that have been in the workhouse infirmary!
 
Out of interest was there any other hospitals in Birmingham 1860’s onwards other than the western road infirmary? If so why go to the workhouse infirmary? Thanks
 
Vixen said:
Out of interest was there any other hospitals in Birmingham 1860’s onwards other than the western road infirmary? If so why go to the workhouse infirmary? Thanks
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1860 nearly 100 years before the NHS came into being...in those days those that could afford it would pay into a doctors fund ie giving something like a penny a week so that they could see a doctor or the doctor would come to the house..those that could not afford that and there were many thousands had to resort to seeking the help of workhouse hospitals...much the same with living in the workhouses for people who had no homes or jobs ect...the workhouse was the very last resort because although in the early days they were horrendous places at least they had a roof over their heads and some sort of food but they had to work for it..whole families entered the workhouse with mom dad and their children being seperated into different living quarters

lyn
 
Astoness said:
1860 nearly 100 years before the NHS came into being...in those days those that could afford it would pay into a doctors fund ie giving something like a penny a week so that they could see a doctor or the doctor would come to the house..those that could not afford that and there were many thousands had to resort to seeking the help of workhouse hospitals...much the same with living in the workhouses for people who had no homes or jobs ect...the workhouse was the very last resort because although in the early days they were horrendous places at least they had a roof over their heads and some sort of food but they had to work for it..whole families entered the workhouse with mom dad and their children being seperated into different living quarters

lyn
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Is this also why herbalists were used rather than seeking medical help or was this more to do with wanting to avoid traditional medical paths/drugs?
 
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