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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Cheshire => Topic started by: jo1962 on Friday 25 January 08 22:44 GMT (UK)

Title: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: jo1962 on Friday 25 January 08 22:44 GMT (UK)
Hi,

I've just recieved a death cert for one of my ancestors who died in 1933 at ' The Infirmary, Bexton Road, Knutsford'. The informant of the death was the 'Acting Chief Resident  Officer, The Institution Knutsford'. 

I'm not very familiar with Knutsford, what I do know is there use to be a prison there.  does anybody know when the prison closed?  Did it become a hospital?  I'm a bit confused because my ancestor came from a large family and I'm wondering why one of them didn't register the death?  The word 'institution' makes me wonder if this was a hospital?

Any help very much appreciated  :)

Jo
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: suzard on Saturday 26 January 08 02:50 GMT (UK)
1729 Workhouse was built Lloyd St Knutsford
1870 former workhouse building was replaced with new building on Bexton Rd
WW1 building used as a Military Hospital
1930 Cheshire C C took it over and it became Bucklow Instituiton
later it became Cranford Lodge Hospital

for information and pics

just Google Altrincham Poor law Union & Workhouse

(sorry deleted  link as it seems to take you to someone's family history page)

Suz
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: Su on Saturday 26 January 08 12:59 GMT (UK)
Hi Jo
Cranford Lodge Hospital Bexton Road, Knutsford is a really nice old building.  I had my daughter there in 1968.  As well as being a maternity hospital part of it was also a hospital for aged people.

Kind regards
Su
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: jo1962 on Saturday 26 January 08 14:29 GMT (UK)
Thankyou both for your replies.

Regards  Jo  :)
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: momos on Saturday 11 October 08 16:00 BST (UK)
Hello Jo,

In the book 'Troubled Times' Macclesfield 1790 - 1870 (Keith Austin) ISBN 1-897949-71-5 , there are a number of references to Knutsford House of Correction.

regards
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: Gillum on Tuesday 19 May 15 15:49 BST (UK)
Hi Jo
Have just been to Chester Archives looking up my ancestor Frank Eastwood, Master of Knutsford Workhouse 1915 - 1932.  It was variously known as Knutsford Workhouse or The Institution and also Bucklow Institution.  They had the Masters Log Book for the 1920's including all the names of all residents their behaviour and misdemeanors etc. Can look in the log again if needed if the date fits.
Cheers
David
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: jo1962 on Tuesday 19 May 15 17:38 BST (UK)
Hi David,
The person who died was Peter Singleton; he was from the Ashton on Mersey area so I'm not sure why he ended up in Knutsford.  I would be very grateful for any help you can give.
Many thanks
Jo
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: suds on Tuesday 19 May 15 19:38 BST (UK)
Hello

This may be a complete red herring.

I was born in Ashton on Mersey (1949) and my birth certificate was issued by Bucklow RDC (Rural District Council). Bucklow is a lot closer to Knutsford than Ashton on Mersey. The RDC was disbanded in the 70s but if you google it the RDC Town Hall was in Bexton Lane, Knutsford.

I have no idea what a RDC did but maybe if you fell on hard times anywhere in the RDC you would be sent to their institution.

As I said, may be a red herring.

Regards

Suds
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: Marmalady on Tuesday 19 May 15 19:56 BST (UK)
RDC = Rural District Council (as opposed to UDC or Urban District Council)

They were the lowest rung of bureaucracy and had limited local powers - one of which would be running the Workhouse for the area

By the 1930's the Workhouse would have been renamed into a more friendlier-sounding institution but it would still be the Council-run Old People's Home
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: Southfieldsdave on Wednesday 11 May 22 05:37 BST (UK)
Good morning,  we moved to knutsford from Salford in 1960,I was 3, my middle sister was born in cranford lodge in the mid 60s, I loved growing up as a kid in knutsgors and I still go back there for work  and social visits, its a great place, there was also an army barracks in knutsford at Parkgate
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: Ray T on Wednesday 11 May 22 12:13 BST (UK)
In case anyone’s interested/doesn’t know, the references to “Cranford” stem from Elizabeth Gaskell’s book and subsequent television series “Cranford” which was based on the town of Knutsford. What’s left of the prison is opposite the station.

Most of my rellies came from Mobberley just down the road.
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: Southfieldsdave on Thursday 12 May 22 06:22 BST (UK)
My sister was born in cranford lodge but I can't remember  much about it, anybody who has the chance should visit knutsford, its a beautiful  place
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: Colin Avery on Wednesday 07 June 23 11:38 BST (UK)
Hi - anyone wants to know anything about Knutsford, maybe I can help. :)
In relation to previous questions
1: Knutsford Workhouse became Cranford Lodge Hospital and is now a clinic
2: Knutsford Prison built around 1820, housed over 500 convicts (men, women and juveniles), demolished in the mid 1930s. Later known as Stanley Park with tennis courts, then a bus station, now the site of Booth's supermarket. In 1916 it housed over 500 Irish prisoners following the Easter Uprising in Dublin, and, around the same time, a number of WW1 Conscientious Objectors. It took over as Cheshire's execution place in the late 19th century from Chester, and several murderers were hanged there.
3: Knutsford's original police station was opposite the workhouse in Bexton Road.
4: Knutsford Sessions House, fronting the prison, was built in 1820 and had two courtooms for Cheshire Quarter Sessions sittings, one of which was also used for the Knutsford Magistrates Court. It is now a restaurant/hotel.
If anyone is interested in Knutsford, I can supply more detail and a list of recommended reading.
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: Diana on Friday 01 August 25 13:00 BST (UK)
I am trying to trace one of my Great Aunt's sons.
His name is James Allan Booth
Born 10 Aug 1914 Bucklow
I have him on the 1921-1939 census still living at home.
I next have him in 1953 where he is a motor Driver native of Altrincham.
then again in 1953 Cheshire Quarter sessions Knutsford where he was remanded in custody until the Monday where he was sentenced to prison for 12 months. where would they have sent him and how can I check prison records ?
Then on the 28 Nov 1956 last time seen alive. his body was found in Brunswick road Broadheath on the 30 November 1956. I cannot find out anything about his death, the family never spoke of it. As I don't  live in the area I am finding it hard to research.
I am trying to piece together his life. His mother remarried 1950 to a lovely man, so why did he turn to crime???
Di
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: *Sandra* on Friday 01 August 25 14:44 BST (UK)
I am trying to trace one of my Great Aunt's sons.
His name is James Allan Booth
Born 10 Aug 1914 Bucklow
I have him on the 1921-1939 census still living at home.
I next have him in 1953 where he is a motor Driver native of Altrincham.
then again in 1953 Cheshire Quarter sessions Knutsford where he was remanded in custody until the Monday where he was sentenced to prison for 12 months. where would they have sent him and how can I check prison records ?
Then on the 28 Nov 1956 last time seen alive. his body was found in Brunswick road Broadheath on the 30 November 1956. I cannot find out anything about his death, the family never spoke of it. As I don't  live in the area I am finding it hard to research.
I am trying to piece together his life. His mother remarried 1950 to a lovely man, so why did he turn to crime???
Di

Death Notice :-

Manchester Evening News
Manchester, Greater Manchester, England 
Mon, 3 Dec 1956
Page 11

https://www.newspapers.com/article/manchester-evening-news/177932009/

The death appears at deceased online - burial 5 th December - Greater Manchester.

https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch?DetsView=Summary&src=ext&fileid=5243258

Mother :- Dora Twist - buried 13 December  1988

https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch?DetsView=Summary&src=ext&fileid=5252980

Death Notice Dora Twist -

Manchester Evening News
Manchester, Greater Manchester
Fri, 9 Dec 1988
Page 52

https://www.newspapers.com/article/manchester-evening-news-obituary-for-tw/177932582/

1954 - Perhaps this was one you already had ?

https://www.newspapers.com/article/manchester-evening-news/177935586/


Sandra
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: AlanBoyd on Friday 01 August 25 15:47 BST (UK)
4 June 1954: Manchester Evening News
Quote
DOG TRACED CLUE—Police
BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
OUT for a walk with his dog in Manor Avenue, Sale, Mr Walter Holmes, insurance inspector, of Ashlands, Sale, saw the dog go into Sale Boys Grammar School playing-fields and then growl at something in the hedge. There he found a bloodstained radio and camera

This was stated at Sale to-day when James Allan Booth, aged 39, driver, of no fixed address but a native of Altrincham, was sent for trial accused of stealing the radio and camera along with 400 cigarettes and a banjo, total value £45 12s after breaking into a sports pavilion in Barracks Lane, Sale.

He was also charged with breaking into Sale Corporation's storehouse in Walton Park and stealing 12 golf balls worth £2 2s.

In an alleged statement Booth admitted the offences and said he sold the golf balls for 10s. to golfers at Altrincham Golf Course

12 July 1954: Manchester Evening News
Quote
When workmates found out..
BECAUSE of the attitude of his workmates who found out he had appeared in court. James Allan Booth, aged 39, left his work. His landlady also knew of his court appearance and asked him to leave stated at Cheshire  Quarter Sessions, Knutsford, to-day.

He pleaded guilty to thefts at Sale and was gaoled for 12 months.
Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: wilcoxon on Friday 01 August 25 16:11 BST (UK)
Sorry but I don't have access to newspapers that late.
You can get his death certificate as a digital image for £3 from the GRO.
That might help.
Annette

Title: Re: Anybody familiar with Knutsford?
Post by: wilcoxon on Friday 01 August 25 16:12 BST (UK)
Sorry but I don't have access to newspapers that late.
You can get his death certificate as a digital image for £3 from the GRO.
That might help.
Annette

Ignore this, posted in error 🙄