Genealogy Chat

I have a rellie who was a scholar at Ripley Hospital according to the 1901 census. I know it started as an orphanage but I'm not sure after it changed in 1864 to educate 150 boys and 150 girls that these were still orphans. I've access Wikipedia but it doesent give me the info I'm after. The census record shows about 20 pupils. Suspect this was her class?? Does anybody have any further info on the establisment. Was it residential?? Many thanks for looking..

All I could find is this Ripley hospital was built in 1853 (it was actually an orphanage). Is this the page you found on the Wiki? http://en.wikipedia*org/wiki/Ripley_St._Thomas_C_of_E_High_School (replace* with .)

Wikipedia states that after 1864 it was designated to educate an equal number of boys and girls - 300 in total - providing they lived within either 15 miles of Lancaster Priory or 7 miles of Liverpool Cathedral. Does this mean that the children were 'not' ophans but lived with their families within 15 miles of Lancaster Priory or 7 miles of Leverpool Cathedral. The only other thing I found was....... Ripley hospital (an endowed school for the children of residents in Lancaster and the neighbourhood) - taken from website http://www*1911encyclopedia*org/Lancaster (replace * with .) Might be worth a visit to the local library to check any reference material for the Hospital. They should have some, I would have thought.

I entered ripley hospital scholar in 1901 122 girls 174 boys

I've just found a website called Histclo (Historical Boys Clothing) but I cant get access to the picture but it says the picture is of boys from what it calls 'the orphanage' taken outside the hall at Lancaster in 1910, so I'm guessing she was an orphan. Will have to check out what happened to the other siblings.

Ripley St Thomas C of E is next to Lancaster Royal Infirmary and has been extended over the years. My partner attended there in the 80's and was under the impression that it had formerly been used as a work house. It also had its own farm and chapel. It might be worth looking for the school on friends reunited to see if it has a bit about its history or seeing if the school has its own web page, which Im sure it will have - it does, just found it its... at world wide web dot ripley dot lancsngfl dot AC dot uk and it has a history section and some lovely pics Hope this helps Rebecca x

Having read some of the history part it states it was opened in 1864 for 300 pupils whose parents had lived in the area for at least 2 years, which would suggest it wasnt an orphanage. There are old pics on the history part and very interesting reading! R

sorry - its my eyes, done a lot of index trawling this week lol parents had to live in the area for 2 years before the fathers death and orphans were given priority for the school intake. Ill go read some more and shut up! lol R