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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: Jean McGurn on Sunday 14 November 04 14:13 GMT (UK)
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Does anyone have any information on records of Ripley Hospital in Lancaster.
I have a relative who went there when she was 11 years old and left when she was 15 in 1899. Her father John Harris had died in 1892 and apparently Eleanor and one of her brothers were sent there from Liverpool being two fatherless children.
A few years ago I got in touch with the present Ripley School who directed me to gentleman who had been a headmaster and had retired. He had kept all the school records from when it was called Ripley Hospital.
He sent me the correct details of Eleanor's parents, marriage and fathers death dates which all tallied. Trouble was he also wrote that Eleanor had left October 1899 to be a laundrymaid at Loughborough.
This is where I have hit a brickwall. Where in Loughborough (if indeed it was Loughborough, could have been Littleborough which is also in Lancashire) Would they have sent children into service outside the Lancashire area?
Eleanor married Robert Edward McGurn in 1913 back in Liverpool and lived there until 1939 when she moved to Huyton which is only 11 miles or so outside. Their house was Liverpool Corporation. So I would say all her adult life after leaving service would have been spent in Liverpool
I am trying to find out how - if she did go to Loughborough which is in Leicstershire - how did she come to met Robert who was also born and lived in Liverpool, his occupation was 'furniture remover' her home town.
There is one other possibility. When I was a little girl she used to go on about me going "in service" In the late 1980@s I was sent a photocopy of a large country house. I found out that it was Leighton Hall but after I wrote to the present owners they informed me they had no records of past servants. So was unable to verify that Eleanor was sent there.
There's no one in the family now who would know. I had got the original information from a relative who had said that Eleanor had been to a Bluecoat school which I found out later to be Ripley Hospital
Thank you
Jean
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Hi Jean,
I have found some interesting links for Ripley,
http://www.ripley.lancsngfl.ac.uk/oldsite/History.html
(http://www.institutions.org.uk/pictures/image300/2500894.jpg)
It seems that it first opened as an orphanage in 1853 by 1864 it was re-opened as a school for over 300 Children.
Leighton Hall was the historic home of the world-renowned Gillow furniture making family, perhaps here is a clue ?
(http://www.leightonhall.co.uk/images/hall.jpg)
Perhaps the main record centre in Lancaster may have records for Leighton Hall, it is worth a try ;)
Sarah
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Thanks Sarah
I had previously found the Ripley site as it was their school office who gave me the name of the previous headmaster. That's how I obtained confirmation that Eleanor had indeed attended in the late 1890's.
The picture of Leighton Hall is virtually the same as the one from the 1890's I have a copy of. Hadn't though of trying the main records centre in Lancaster.
Will give them a try.
Thanks again
Jean
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Hi
I see from your comment that Gillows was a famous furniture making family - shows you what you learn off topic - my father worked for them for many years - never new they were famous - now what road have you sent me off on !!?? ??? ???
Cheers
Keith
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Hello,
If anyone is interested in Ripley Hospital, Lancaster, there is a book on this Lancaster CD about the opening of Ripley Hospital.
http://www.oldlancaster.co.uk/cds/pages/Lancasterbooks.htm
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Ripley Hospital records are now at Lancashire Record Office. The RO is presently closed however they answer phone, email or written queries. They will, for a charge, send copies of what information is available.
Gibel
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If anyone is still interested in this thread, records of entrants are now on line at Findmypast
http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/national-school-admission-registers-and-log-books-1870-1914?_ga=1.131094216.633045832.1391024857
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I have before me a commemorative medallion for the inauguration of Ripley Hospital on November 3rd 1864. One side of the medallion shows the building and the other side has the inscription: "Built and Endowed for the Education and Support of Orphan Children by Julia Ripley of Springfield Hall, Lancaster in accordance with the Benevolent Wishes of her late husband Thomas Ripley, Inaugurated Nov 3. 1864."
Andrew Aindow
Sleddall Hall Antiques
Kendal
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I have attached photos of the medallion.
A.A.