Whiston Union Workhouse - Access to Records

[KitCarson]

Am I right in thinking that copies of these records are held at St Helens Library but those relating to individuals with surnames begining A-E (or something like that) are missing?  Kit

[Bilge]

I have no idea about the holders of the records but have you checked out :
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/

A History of Prescot Union Workhouse, Whiston, Lancashire by Pauline Hurst (2009).
Buy the book and/or the CD (contains a digital version of the book + extras) —
The book is £10 (plus £1.25 UK p&p) Cheques payable to Pauline Hurst (or Paypal paulinej.hurst@sky.com)
The CD is £10 (plus £1.25 UK p&p) Cheques payable to St Helens Townships FHS (or Paypal townshipsFHS@googlemail.com)
Non-Paypal orders should be sent to: Publications, St Helens Townships FHS, 6 Gainford Close, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 4UN.
For any further queries, please contact the Townships FHS via their website.

[KitCarson]

Hi Bilge, thanks for the information on the publication.  It might become more relevant as I unearth the many ancestors in the St Helens area.

At the moment I'm more interested in what records are accessible at the library (or via other means).  I will be at the library in the next week or so and just wanted to focus on what records were available.  Kit

[Gillyches]

Hi Kit!

I noted your post as I was searching for information on the Whiston Workhouse and wondered if you'd found out anything from your visit.  My 2X Great Grandfather, George Tebb, died in that workhouse in 1880 and if your theory was correct about lists of names being held at the library it might mean that his name was/is listed there.

Quite a number of my forbears are from the St Helens area and although I've had a good deal of help in connection with his son, also a George Tebb who was prominent in the Salvation Army, I've yet to find out whether George Tebb (Senior) is listed anywhere.

If you could give a rough guide as to what resources the library holds I'd be very grateful.

Cheers

Gill

[KitCarson]

Hi Gill, unfortunately, I didn't manage to get to St Helens over the summer.  I am due to visit at the end of this week though and will make some enquiries for you.

Kit

[Gillyches]

Hi Kit,

That would be excellent - thanks for that. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I note that one of your name interests is 'Rimmer' and I've got a feeling that the name is somehow connected to my own family in the area (Tebb, Shepherd, Ashcroft, Crompton etc) and I must look back through the various 'twigs' of the tree to see where it occurs. 

Cheerio for now

Gill

[Gillyches]

Ah - just a follow up...

An Ann Rimmer (aged 28) was buried in the same grave as Tebbs and Hills (related through second marriage) and Ashcrofts and can be found on the St Helens Council website for burials and cremations. Search here:
http://crem.oltps.sthelens.gov.uk/crem/servlet/Telesearch#results

I must find out what the link between the families is... unless you already know?

Cheerio

Gill

[KitCarson]

Hi Gill

If you PM me with some dates etc for your George Tebbs, I can check the workhouse records if they are available.  I'll also ask what date ranges they have or where else records can be found and let you know.

As for Ann Rimmer in the cemetery (1902), she may be related    I have only just found what might be a Rimmer link to the Hills but it needs a lot more research.  My Ashcrofts are on my Paternal side (Carson) so probably not linked from the same direction.  Currently have not Tebbs.

Cheers, Kit

[Gillyches]

Erm - what does PM mean?

Right.... George Tebb (who died in Whiston Workhouse in 1880) was born in Bootle cum Linacre, Liverpool (not registerd!) and was baptised on 2 Jul 1841 Ormskirk. His death was on 6 Nov 1880 and buried on 8 Nov 1880 St Helens. He apparently died of 'mania and apoplexy' which is interesting and rather fits in with the mental health problems that many of the Tebb family suffered (from way back in Yorkshire and down to the present day in both descendants!) He was a tailor, apparently, but had previously been in the 18th Hussars (who apparently served in India for a time) and perhaps it was this experience that upset his mental equilibrium. He was only 39 when he died... so it doesn't seem to add up that he was only suffering from a mental condition. (It could be that I've misunderstood what the condition might have entailed, however! )

(It was this George Tebb's son, also George Tebb, who was 'big' in the Salvation Army (1872-1929) in St Helens... but that's a separate story)

I'm intrigued about the Rimmer connection (Ann Rimmer) and will have to see what I can find out... she was 28 at her death so it isn't possible to say, at the moment, if she was married or single and there are LOADS of Ann Rimmers for Lancashire and Prescot registration area. Still we'll see what turns up!
All the best,

Gill