Genealogy Chat

If what I believe to be my ancestor as a child is listed without parents as far as I can see in the Hungerford Union Workhouse on 1841, am I to presume they were orphaned? Unfortunately dont know parents names, and child born before 1837, so no way of knowing as far I can see. Suggestions? Ideas? Thank you.

Hi Karen, have you found them on the 1851 ? Hubbies relatives are from Baydon, Hungerford area. Joan

Hi, She is possibly a servant on the 1851 in Hungerford, so doesnt give me any clues either.

Not yet, she is proving to be very elusive......

Have you found a marriage for her ?

Karen do you want to put some details on here and see if people can help in your search, Joan

Her name is Mary Ann Jones. depending on which census you look at, she was born bet 1822 - 1830 in Lambourn, Berkshire. Possibly in Hungerford Union Workhouse on 1841, a servant on 1851. First child born 1853, 1861 in the workhouse again with her family, and moved to swindon on 1871. Her husbands name is George Miles. I cannot track down her parents, her marriage, nor any trace of the family after 1871.

This is baffling me; as I have a case of twins being in Wigan workhouse whilst mum has a baby at home. Can't get to Lancashire records office to see the admission books yet. Joan Wonder if Wiltshire RO or the FHS will have details of the Mary Ann Jones admission or the Mary Miles episode ? Do you have any of the certificates for the children or are you using the information from the census ? I have found on IGI George and SARAH Miles with christening of children William 1854 and Sarah Ann in 1860. Tricky one, Joan

In a similar case in my family tree, apparently the workhouse would not take the child unless accompanied by the parent(s). So it would seem the child was an orphan.

I think the George and Sarah Miles are a different family - there is a very close resemblence in another family on the census, but definetly 2 separate families. I have the birth and marriage certificate of their eldest child (my ancestor) - William Miles, bornm Nov 1853 in Lambourn and married 1876 in Newbury.

I had an ancestor die (he had been a Royal Marine) his widow and two daughters stayed in military accomodation in East Stonehouse but the younger of his two sons was sent (through the Marines) to a school in London eventually he became a Royal Marine himself and finished service as a Colour Seargent Major. The elder son was sent to High Hill Workhouse in Somerset where he was trained as a tailor, he became a tailor with his own establishment including 'sewing' staff and a domestic servant. Although he had been sent to the workhouse he finally 'made good'! Jean

I found two of my young relatives (both young boys) in the workhouse without parents on the 1851 census. On census night their father was on a hulk which was about to take him to Australia (he'd been transported for larceny) and their stepmother was in and out of the workhouse as well. When she was out of the workhouse she was often attending the various court hearings her husband was involved in. I discovered all this via the Wicklewood Workhouse admission and discharge registers at Norfolk Record Office. Cheers, Horatia

when I tracked down some child ancestors in the Fulham workhouse I was lucky enough to view the admissions and creed registers held at the london Metropolitan archives. The information was fantastic because apart from detailing next of kin, it had a record of every date they were admitted and discharged. You may be equally lucky with yours if you can find where such records are held. Are we talking about Hungerford in Berkshire? If so, there is a records office in Reading which may be able to point you in the right direction. you'll have to google it as I should be working at the moment instead of looking at GR!!!!

Morning Karen, As people have suggested I think that the way to go would be to locate the admissions and discharge books for the workhouse concerned. Let us know how you get on, Best wishes Joan

Check out Workhouses.org.uk - key in 'Hungerford' as a search and there's a whole lot of useful and interesting stuff. Hungerford Poor Law Union formally came into existence on 1st May 1835. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of 27 Guardians. Initially, the union made use of the existing parish workhouse at Lambourn, together with premises at Charnham Street in Hungerford. However, an entirely new building was erected in 1847 at a site on the south side of Park Street. Hungerford Poor Law Union was renamed Hungerford and Ramsbury in 1896. You should contact Berkshire Record Office, 9 Coley Avenue, Reading, Berks RG1 6AF. Holdings include guardians' minute books 1835-1930. Tel: +44 (0118) 901 5132 Fax: +44 (0118) 901 5131 Email: arch 'at' reading.gov.uk Opening times: Tuesday 9.00am - 5.00pm Wednesday 9.00am - 5.00pm Thursday 9.00am - 9.00pm Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm