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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: Tickettyboo on Tuesday 08 May 12 17:17 BST (UK)
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I have been looking at the South Shields Admission and Discharge books today at TWAS.
Its a ledger made out in columns and I would like to know what the following column headers mean :
M.B., H., S.
and
R.O.
The archivist I spoke to didn't know, can anyone enlighten me please?
Thanks
Boo
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it might help to know what sort of thing was in the columns ie names /numbers /amounts / yes /no etc?
RO is probably receiving/ relieving officer - see Workhouse website for details.
Diddy
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on the 1881 census online for SS workhouse H was used for handicap?
S could be sex = M/F ?
Diddy
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I am going back tomorrow and hope to take photos of the pages, but from what I saw the entries in the columns were one of the options from the column heading either M.B. , H. or S.
The archivist seemed surprised at my question, apparently most people just find the entry they were looking for and don't ask questions :-)
I must be their first nosey customer !
Boo
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Have been back today and had another look, I do have photos but will be unable to sort those until I get home later the week.
After another look at the ledgers and a chat to one of the other archivists we have come to the conclusion that the column was to show where the inmate spent their time.
M.B. was Main Building
H was hospital
S was School
Though not included in the column heading there were other entries L.W. which appeared to be Lunatic Ward, and N or Nurse for the tiny babies.
Thank for your interest Diddy, sorry my original post wasn't as clear as it should have been.
Boo
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I have been in TWAS today also looking at the South Shields Workhouse Registers and I also asked the same question about the columns MB H & S. Hospital is logical for H based on my ancestors entry. Thanks for the info.
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welcome to rootschat :-)
I'm so pleased you wondered about it too, I thought I was their only nosey customer!
Boo
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Probably a stupid question but what is TWAS?
What dates do the registers cover - I had a relative admit himself and several children in the 20s/30s - I have the adoption papers for the kids (adopted by my grandmother - their sister) but little other info .....
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TWAS = Tyne and Wear Archives
Tyne and Wear Archives, Discovery Museum, Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4JA. Guardians' minutes (1899-1932), Births (1914-37), Deaths (1914-48), Admissions (1926-48), Admissions and discharges (1897-1956), Creed registers (1877-1948), Epilepsy registers (1911-36), Lunacy registers (1908-48).
The above information came from
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/SouthShields/
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Blimey that was quick!!
Cheers :D
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Hi
No such thing as a stupid question. Only 'not' asking when you don't know something could be viewed as not being sensible :-)
Sorry, I should have made it clearer. Its Tyne and Wear Archives, Blanford Square, Newcastle ( within the Discovery Museum). They hold the workhouse admissions for Harton.
http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/tyne-and-wear-archives.html is their website.
They have an online catalogue of their holdings and also some very useful 'user guides'. This user guide details the records they have for South Shields Union Workhouse
http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/userfiles/UG22.pdf
You would need to visit the archives in person to look at the records or the archives offer a research service, but that could end up being costly (its not overpriced, but it 'can' take a long time to find what you are looking for). If you have details of dates etc, you could try asking on the look up requests board to see if if anyone is willing to do a look up when they are at the archives.
Boo
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Thanks for that - tried the lookup board for some info on a relative that was listed in Durham Jail and got a wealth of new info - it's a great facility :)